Edouard Ackerman confesses
to the cold-blooded murder of Prosecutor Jacquart!
Hot off the presses!
Scandal at the Riviera!
Get your copy of L'Éclaireur!
Hello, sir. That'll be three cents, please.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
Edouard Ackerman confesses to the murder of Prosecutor Jacquart!
That'll be three cents, sir.
Thank you.
Get your copy of L'Éclaireur!
I mean, really.
All right, come on, kike. You're going away.
No, stop that.
There's none of that here.
The captain's warned you already.
Read all about it!
JACQUART MURDERED ACKERMAN ARRESTED
SUMMER '36
Wasn't I clear?
If I wanted to sleep with you, I would've done it already.
What do you want?
You have a master key for the safe in every room.
I don't understand.
I need you to get something from the safe of Mr. Henri Pontavice-Caron.
A journal.
I won't do that.
We'll see.
This is enough to pay your daughter's tuition
until the end of the year.
You get out of my room.
It's either that, or you'll be arrested for the murder of Prosecutor Jacquart.
You owed him a lot of money, and that makes for an excellent motive.
All I have to do is tell the police.
Then, poor Suzanne, who lost her father, what will she do?
She'll be expelled from school and you'll be in prison.
The streets?
Well…
Tonight is the big gala.
It's the perfect time, hmm?
Morning.
Are you okay?
I dreamt that my father was on the scaffold.
Come here.
He looked me right in the eye. It was horrible.
That isn't going to happen.
I'm not so sure.
Don't say that.
Félix, I've never been so scared.
Come here.
Don't do this, please.
We've gone over this for hours, Eugénie.
Can't stay here.
I don't even know what to believe anymore.
Too many lies.
I don't know who you are.
Seventeen years of raising our son together.
Loving him is not a lie.
That's your version of the story, Eugénie.
Great organizing, Madeleine.
What are you doing down here?
I heard a noise.
You know, I believe you might have mice.
In my archives? That's all I need.
Edouard Ackerman confessed?
Yes.
The captain questioned him for half the night.
I didn't sleep. They're starting again.
I'll go.
Good.
- Miss Morel is early for once. - Sorry.
Now you can go over your confession in detail, Mr. Ackerman.
- I have already told you. - Then repeat it.
When I learned that Blanche
was meeting her lover in Nice,
I was enraged.
The name of this lover?
Prosecutor Adrien Jacquart.
Blanche wanted to leave me for him.
I couldn't take it, so I waited in his room.
And how did you get his key?
I told you, I got it from Blanche's pocketbook.
I asked Jacquart
to get out of Nice and leave us alone.
What did he say to that?
That I had to satisfy my woman…
if I wanted to keep her.
It sent me over the edge. I, uh…
I grabbed the letter opener and I hit him.
Then what did you do with it?
- What? - The letter opener?
Well?
Where did it go?
I, uh, threw it in the sea.
And the key?
I don't remember. I guess I threw it in too.
I'll sign the confession now.
Very well.
Follow me.
The detail about the letter opener he could have easily read in the news.
Yes, for the second key too.
So either Edouard Ackerman really killed Adrien Jacquart,
or he's turned himself in to protect his wife because she did it.
Or he thinks she did.
Maybe it isn't either of them.
Who else, then? The sister, Eugénie Berthier?
I don't see her as a murderer.
Yes, well, you never know, do you?
The husband, the wife, the lover. Classic.
But you don't believe it was him, do you?
Look, type it all up for me first,
and then we can check everyone's alibis.
What about Blanche Ackerman?
I had no reason to keep her.
The judge agreed.
Father wouldn't do that.
He's not capable of killing.
Stop it.
Angèle, don't, please.
My father is in prison and it's her fault!
He's turned himself in. For her.
Don't you see?
I hate you.
Angèle!
Do you see the mess you've created?
I would do it over and over if I could!
With Adrien, I discovered true passion, Mother.
I felt alive!
Blanche, that's enough.
Are you forgetting that you're the one who rushed into marrying Edouard?
Yes, because of Eugénie!
She was engaged to Adrien, but he was meant for me!
That's enough, Blanche.
If you hadn't brought your lover here,
your husband wouldn't have gone over the edge.
So it's because of me that he's a killer. Do you even hear yourself?
Do not speak to me in that tone!
Come on, I'll run you a nice bath.
We cannot go to the gala. No, no.
We are all in shock. Everyone will be talking. We can't.
And yet, we all still went on a picnic right after Adrien died!
We'll all go to the gala.
It'll be the best way to put an end to this gossip.
I will not be going.
And Edouard?
He's still at the police station.
He's refusing to see a lawyer.
A prosecutor slaughtered just mere steps from our room.
We will not be returning.
Hitler is right. France is in full decline.
- Alexis, get their car, please. - Yes.
Miss Meunier-Dauphin.
I heard about Mr. Ackerman.
Of course, you can count on my total discretion.
Thank you, Edgar.
I've already turned three journalists away this morning.
But there will be others, so I just wanted to discuss with you
what I might say.
You should bring that up with Mr. Pontavice-Caron.
I believe he already has enough to worry about,
so I think that you and I can come up with a solution.
I assure you.
Very well, I'll come and see you this afternoon.
- Understood. - Excuse me.
Ah, Mr. Neuville.
Four couples have cut short their stay since this morning.
What do we do?
- A party. - A party?
A party.
It'll help calm their jitters.
Tonight's the gala. I'll bring up some extra champagne.
A party.
Huh! Well, let's party.
- Hey. - Hi there.
Are you okay?
It's all right. Come here.
He's still at the police station.
Why'd he confess?
To protect my mother.
I'm sure it'll all work out, Angèle.
You need to return to the hotel.
Your family will worry.
No, I can't go back there.
I don't want to see my mother.
You're my family too.
You'll be better off with us.
She can sleep with you, and I'll stay in the boys' room.
You'll see, it's really nice here.
Thank you.
That your suitcase?
Where are you going?
Nowhere.
Want a tour?
I'm glad you're staying.
I'm going with you to the gala.
You're sure?
Like you said, our struggle is more important than anything else.
Come in.
It's all set.
Everything is ready for tonight. It will be perfect.
That is not why I wanted to see you.
I know it was you who took the money from the cash in the bar.
I did a little investigating, and it couldn't be anyone else.
I know you have financial issues. It doesn't surprise me. Unacceptable.
- I was going to-- - Shh!
We'll settle this tomorrow.
I need you here tonight.
That'll be all.
Why are you here?
I wanted to tell you that your daughter's staying with me at Mina's house.
She refuses to come back here for now.
What do you mean, she refuses?
- I think she's lost. - Luckily, she has her aunt.
Who's perfect.
Who's wonderful.
And above all, understanding.
Blanche, please, this isn't the right time.
She's the one who came to me, Blanche.
- You want to take my daughter? - Pardon me?
You know exactly what I'm saying.
You steal everything.
You're the prodigal child returning in Dad's eyes.
But I know who you are.
Stop. Calm down. This is all nonsense.
You stole Adrien.
- I took Adrien? - Yes.
You were just a child.
It was our parents that wanted the engagement, not me.
- So now it's all my fault? - You want my daughter now, is that it?
If you really cared about her, you wouldn't put her through this pain.
I detest you.
I have always detested you.
This vacation's turned into a nightmare.
I wish I'd seen you again under other circumstances.
My grandson too.
How long have you known that Louis was Adrien's?
I knew you were with child before you even suspected.
Let's call it maternal instinct.
You never said anything.
You had left with Jean. What good would it have done?
Jean figured it out, is that it?
He found out here.
Thank you, paid vacations.
Do not come here tonight.
It's difficult enough as it is. We do not need another crisis.
Dad invited me.
I'm coming.
There are more important things than our family's histrionics.
Miss Morel?
Léonie?
I'm Gabriel, Eugénie Berthier's brother-in-law.
- We're staying at the same lodging. - Yes, Gabriel.
My dad didn't do it. You must help us.
Angèle, the daughter of Mr. Ackerman.
Your father turned himself in. He confessed.
I know, but he's lying.
I swear to you, he's innocent.
I know. I don't believe he's guilty either.
- Will you help us? - Could you, please?
I can try.
I need to find out what he did that night.
I'll do what I can. I will.
Thank you.
- Thank you. - Yes.
JACQUART CASE PERSONAL EFFECTS OF EDOUARD ACKERMAN
IDENTITY CARD
POST HOTEL, NICE
What gave you the idea to look through his notebook?
I was just going through his effects.
If Ackerman's confession is bogus, shouldn't we try to prove it?
Like you said, it certainly is bogus.
It's there.
Ackerman has a room at the Riviera.
What on earth would he be doing at this place?
And you, honey?
Have you seen this man?
Yes. He was here two nights ago.
At what time?
Around eleven o'clock.
What did he want?
To get a room for the couple with him.
The couple? Which couple?
- Not sure, but they had an accent. - What kind of accent?
German.
How late did he stay here?
No idea. I went to bed at midnight.
Is that couple still here?
No. They left about three minutes ago.
What do they look like?
He's got a satchel, but no luggage. The woman's very pregnant.
Which way did they go?
- Thank you! - You take the street!
I'll go this way!
- I'm sorry. - Be careful.
Watch it!
Excuse me, I'm so sorry!
You're sorry? You're sorry?
Some of us are working!
Excuse me!
Please, sir!
Excuse me.
Could I ask you a few questions?
Weren't you in front of the casino the other night?
I'm sorry. There you are, miss.
They sent you to find us, is that it?
They? What do you mean, they? No.
This is about Edouard Ackerman.
- I don't know him. - I think you do.
He brought you to the Post Hotel. Why?
I don't think she knows. Ask her what she wants.
Why are you asking about Mr. Ackerman?
Because he is in trouble, and I think you can help him.
What kind of trouble?
He confessed to a murder.
I think he was with you the night it occurred.
A murder?
- No, that's impossible. - What night was it?
Two nights ago.
When I saw you in front of the casino.
Yes.
He was with us.
Hans, please.
That's who I was waiting for at the casino that night.
What are you doing here?
A friend of ours warned us by telegram.
The German police know that we are in Nice.
If the documents fall into the Nazis' hands…
Leave your hotel tonight. Don't tell anyone you're going.
Leave your baggage in your room. It'll throw them off.
- But for how long? - Until we can get you safely out of here.
Meet me at this hotel with your wife.
I'll wait for you there.
And he stayed with you until what time?
It was at least 2:00 in the morning.
That's wonderful.
You need to come make a statement with the police.
We can't. There's a train we need to be on.
- There are trains every day. - You don't understand.
If the German police find us, it's all over for us.
And then dozens of Jewish resistance fighters in Germany would die.
We can't stay here.
But Mr. Ackerman could also die if you don't testify on his behalf.
You're his only alibi. Please, do it.
I'm very sorry.
Good luck to you, miss.
For God's sake, why did you let them leave?
I couldn't handcuff them. Anyway, I don't have any.
I'm sure they were telling the truth.
Foreigners you've never met before
who refuse to testify because they want out of Nice.
The prosecutor will have a field day.
But now we know for sure that Edouard Ackerman
couldn't have killed Adrien Jacquart.
Until we have that proof, I must keep him here.
We'll get the proof.
I'm going to the gala at the Riviera tonight.
Maybe the killer will be there.
You got invited?
Yes.
Weren't you?
Yes. Of course, Mr. Prefect.
Yes, I understand. Sure.
I'll let you know as soon as I hear any news.
Good evening.
Nothing from Jacquart's assistant?
He's coming from Paris tomorrow.
He did send me the list of the prosecutor's files, though.
Checked his briefcase and they're all there, except one.
- Which? - The review request for the Farget trial.
The prosecutor who's taking over needs it to close the case.
Pierre Farget?
The man who killed Eugene Goiran?
The printer?
His attorney asked for a retrial.
- You didn't know? - Yes.
Perhaps you filed it inadvertently.
- I certainly did not. - You file everything.
Go and check.
Captain.
Not only is Farget's request for a retrial not there,
which I already knew,
but the whole file on the Goiran case has disappeared.
Who would be interested in that case?
Actually…
What, Madeleine?
Léonie Morel.
What about Morel? Finish your sentences.
I saw her this morning in the archives. She said she heard mice.
She could be the one who stole it.
That's true, and she could've taken the request
from Jacquart's room at the Riviera.
I left her alone to take photos of the crime scene.
But why on earth would this case interest her?
I knew we didn't have mice in the archives.
Thanks, Mina. I couldn't have asked for better.
You look beautiful.
Hold on.
I'll walk with you for a bit,
make sure you don't get kidnapped on your way to the Riviera.
THEORIES OF CRIMINALITY
THE MURDERER OF VALETTE STREET
CRIME AT THE STATION BLOOD ON THE TRACKS
THE VERDICT IS IN.
GOIRAN AND SON, PRINTERS
- Good evening. - Good evening.
- Welcome. - Thank you.
- The party's in the garden. - Thank you.
Have the Pontavice-Carons arrived?
With the arrest of Mr. Ackerman, I don't know if they'll attend.
- Good evening. - Hello.
- Good evening. - Welcome to you.
Thank you.
- Thank you. - Welcome, sir.
Promise me a dance?
- Good evening. - Good evening.
- Ah, Mr. Neuville. - Excuse me.
- Nice to see you… - This event is private.
Here you go.
- Not going to introduce me? - Have a nice evening.
Come here.
What are you doing here?
Observing.
The murderer always returns to the scene of the crime.
Unless he never left in the first place.
But Edouard Ackerman confessed.
Mm.
Lovely to have you.
Have you ever been to Nice? It's beautiful.
- They came? - Where?
- Good evening. - Hello.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
Good evening.
- Hello. - It's nice to see you.
Look who's here.
- You want something? - No.
Hello.
Thank you for the suits, Grandfather. It's my first time wearing one.
Well, you'll get used to it. You'll see.
- Any news about Edouard? - No.
Unfortunately, nothing as yet.
- Ah, Angèle. - Grandfather.
- Hello. How are you? - Good evening.
- You look lovely, dear. - Thank you.
Good evening.
Interesting.
I'd like to make that smug bastard eat his bow tie.
Ignore him.
That's not why we're here.
Madam?
Thank you.
Will you accompany me to the bar? I'd like a cognac.
With pleasure.
After you.
Excuse me.
TICKET FOR PASSAGE
BY STEAMER ATLANTIS PAID
PASSENGER MRS. BLANCHE ACKERMAN
PAID 3000 FRANCS - 15TH JULY 36
ALL JEWISH SHOPS BOYCOTTED IN GERMANY
HITLER LAUNCHES A WAR AGAINST THE JEWS.
THE JEWISH HAND ON THE…
FOUNDER:
EDOUARD ACKERMAN - THE NATION'S LOAN SHARK
You all know Eugénie, my daughter.
A working-class daughter. How very original.
A rep for the union as well.
Now I see where you get your progressive positions, Henri.
That dress suits you better than work overalls.
I'll consider it for all my workers.
What've you got against overalls?
That depends.
I think they suit you better than a tuxedo.
Except we're the ones paying for your tuxedos.
With our blood, sweat and tears.
Jean, enough.
You're all here parading around
with your tuxedos, your pearls, your champagne.
Do you know what kind of man Mr. Delaunay is?
Do you know what it costs to work for this man?
Gaby.
Come here.
This is my little brother. He worked in his factory.
Come on, show them.
They need to understand what it's like. They need to see.
This is what happens when you work for that man!
- What's he showing us? - No idea.
This is highly irregular. It's a gala for pity's sake.
There.
That is a souvenir of the time he spent with him.
He was too little to stop the machine from falling on top of him.
And why? Because he was only 12.
12 years old!
We thought he wouldn't walk again.
Well, he looks, uh, in very good shape now, doesn't he?
See? That's what I've always said.
When you're 12 years old, you're tough enough.
Jean!
Stop it!
Gentlemen!
Calm down. Calm down.
Let it go!
Play, music, music! Music!
Let's go. Come on.
Gabriel!
If your plan was to ruin the night, then bravo, you succeeded.
I think you'd better leave now, too.
After this new scandal,
you cannot possibly stay on as president of the FEG.
I'm going to call for an emergency general meeting tomorrow.
Gentlemen, good evening.
Blanche!
Blanche, are you there?
Blanche!
What is all this?
Were you at the gala?
No, I wasn't feeling well.
I found horrible things in Edouard's affairs.
Hmm?
Look at this article.
It was written by Adrien.
Let's see.
That is just abominable.
It's impossible.
He couldn't have written something like that.
I never saw that side of him.
I never knew.
And I fell in love with that man.
You should speak to Edouard.
Why didn't he say anything?
Because he loves you.
So much.
Because…
he's terribly afraid of losing you.
Auntie, I was so wrong.
No.
My darling.
I'm so ashamed.
It'll be all right.
Do you have it?
No.
What happened?
Nothing.
What do you mean by that?
You want to tell my boss about my gambling debts?
It doesn't matter.
I'm leaving the Riviera.
Think about what will happen to your daughter.
And do what I tell you.
Hey, what's going on? Let her go!
Control yourself, sir!
You and I will discuss this later.
You all right?
What got into him?
- We need to speak to the manager. - No.
I'd rather not.
Thanks, Félix.
Watch out for him.
He's dangerous.
Don't worry about me. I can defend myself.
Look at all those stars.
I think your scar is beautiful.
You don't have to hide it.
You're so beautiful.
I want to stay here all night with you.
Did Giulia say what Delaunay wanted?
No, but I've noticed him lurking around her.
I had stuck it in the door.
Someone's been in here.
Did they take anything?
Doesn't appear so. Nothing's been moved.
What's that?
It's my father's request for a retrial and his case file.
Do you think that's what they wanted?
I don't know.
It smells like lavender.
With a hint of vanilla.
For Men, by Caron.
- It was Raven who was here. - Do you think he knows who you are?
I don't think so.
But now he knows that I'm interested in the Goiran case.
I'm running out of time.
- Hello. - Hello.
It's always so nice to see you.
Edgar asked for this early meeting. Do you know why?
I think so.
Edgar?
Edgar!
Edgar, are you there?
Edgar?
Can you hear me?
Please, Edgar, answer me.