All language subtitles for Maigret Series 2 Disc 1.Title3-eng

Subtitling made possible by
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[ Waltz-musette music playing I]

[ Woman vocalizing ]

[ Brakes squeak ]

[ Engine idling ]

He won't be long.

He always leaves
at the same time.

Oi.

Try to be inconspicuous.

-DR. PARDON: Breathe in.
-[ Inhales deeply ]

-DR. PARDON: Deeper.
-[ Inhales deeply ]

DR. PARDON:
Now breathe out.

[ Exhales deeply ]

What does it say?

Well, it says
you're still breathing.

-Thank God for that.
-Mm.

Given up the pipe yet?

Sorry.
I'm a bit deaf in that ear.

Alcohol?

Oh, yes, please.
I'll have a large armagnac.

-But only if you're having one.
-[ Chuckles ]

I suppose you're still working
too hard.

MAIGRET:
As a matter of fact,

I'm taking things rather easy
at the moment.

DR. PARDON:
That's why you couldn't get here

-till half past 8:00.
-MAIGRET: Exactly.

DR. PARDON: Have you
ever thought of delegating?

As a matter of fact,

that's what I've been
trying to do this evening.

I've been trying to delegate
an extremely important case

over a couple of very weak beers
in the Brasserie Dauphine.

Hm. Good.

The only trouble is,
as soon as I leave the bar,

I get all anxious and worried

in case they make a mess of it
without me.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

[ Indistinct shouting ]

MAIGRET:
Ahal

When I said armagnac, I really
meant calvados -- delicious.

Take three times a day.

Before, during, and after meals.

Mm.

My pulse really hadn't stopped,
had it, Doctor?

You would tell me if it had?

Well, I'm almost sure
I could hear it.

-Yes, I am.
-[ Chuckles ]

How long have I been
coming here?

DR. PARDON:
Too long.

Yes, well, I've been doing
everything

for too long, haven't I?

-That's what happens with age.
-So, what is it this time?

MAIGRET: Something's
irritating me. That's all.

There's been a spate
of robberies in restaurants.

Oh, yes.
I've read about it.

At the end of the evening,
everyone's standing around

waiting for the last customer
to leave.

Two men walk in, one with a gun,
and remove the night's takings.

I'm sure I know
who's responsible,

but I'm damned
if I can pin him down.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

You're not really reading.

I didn't say I was.

Why don't you go and sit in that
nice comfortable armchair

in the other room
until Lucas or Lapointe rings?

The doctor said I had to get
more sleep.

Do you ever feel
as if you're getting old?

No, never.

Well, never until tonight.

Tonight I could end up feeling
positively ancient.

I don't think they're going to
ring, do you?

They're not now, no.

Definitely not.

-[ Telephone rings ]
-Ah.

Hello. Maigret.

Mademoiselle,
I have no idea who you are.

Do you realize what time it is?
It's extremely late.

Well, there's a local
police station.

Ah, no.

No, no.
Don't do that, mademoiselle.

No, no.
Of course not. No.

Yes, I'll come s--
come right now.

Mademoiselle Carvet?

[ Glasses thud ]

Thank you.

You promise not to throw
yourself in the river after all?

I'd hate to get my clothes wet
trying to rescue you,

especially at this time
of night.

My wife would kill me.

I'm sorry I rang you.

I was just sitting here.
I was so desperate.

Then I remembered reading
you still had your name

in the phone book.

I couldn't believe you answered.

I don't know what I would have
done if you hadn't come.

I haven't even got enough money
to pay for my coffee.

You said on the telephone
you came from La Rochelle.

-That's right.
-And you hated it.

Why do you hate it?

I'm rather fond of it.

You would if you had a father
like mine.

He's a magistrate.

Is he?

You mentioned a girlfriend.

Yes -- Laure Dubuisson.

I've known her for years.

She kept telling me
how wonderful Paris was,

how I should come and see her.

So I did.

Couldn't cope with my father
anymore,

so I phoned her up yesterday,
packed a suitcase, and left.

Mm-hmm.
Without telling your parents?

No.
I'm not going to.

Laure met me
at the Gare de Montparnasse

and took me to her apartment.

Where's that?

I don't know.
I don't know Paris.

She lives with her fiancé.

Well, that's what she calls him,
anyway.

We sat and chatted for a while.

She seemed pleased to see me.

Then her fiancé gave me
some stuff to drink.

I don't know what it was,
but it made me dizzy.

Then some more.

I don't know how much more.

You could have said no.

I was tired and nervous.

Then Laure wasn't there anymore.

He tried to make me
take my clothes off,

and when I wouldn't, he got
angry and tried to hit me.

That's when I ran away.

Without your suitcase
or your money.

NICOLE:
It was only a few hours ago --

I-1 think, anyway.

You know, the terrible thing is,

I don't even know
if I'm still drunk.

MAIGRET: You've had
a terrible time, Mlle. Carvet.

Nicole.

Nicole.

But believe me,

if that's the worst thing
that's ever happened to you,

you've got away lightly.

And it's certainly not
the end of the world.

Come on.

We'll find somewhere for you
to spend the night,

and we'll sort everything out
in the morning.

Whoop.

-[ Laughs ]
-Careful.

[ Laughs ]

Oh! [ Laughs ]

A single room, monsieur.

NICOLE:
[ Laughs ]

For the young lady.

Mm.

[ Nicole laughing ]

And then you took her
to the room?

Yes.

And then what?

I put her to bed.

Did you undress her?

I had to.

Was that sensible?

What's that?

MME MAIGRET:
Lucas rang.

-When?
-Just after you left.

Two men raided
the Restaurant des Pécheurs,

took 300,000 francs.

[ Sighs ]

Lucas!
Lapointe!

Why wasn't anyone near
the Restaurant des Pécheurs

last night?

It's right in the area we're
meant to be concentrating on!

Perhaps because there are
too many restaurants, Chief,

not enough men.

[ Scoffs I]

What about Henri Lautier?

Any news about him?

He went to work,
he lugged a lot of vegetables,

and came back from work.

Marvelous.

LUCAS: Oh, there was a message
for you, Chief.

Later.

-From the chief commissioner.
-Oh, no.

He wants to see you
in his office at 10:00.

-MAIGRET: What's he want?
-Didn't say.

Who'd you talk to?

The secretary --
the one with the posh voice.

I'm surprised he's able
to drag himself away

from all his press conferences.

Perhaps he wants you to help him
get his son out of a scrape.

His son?
He's too young to have a son.

Too young?

Yeah. They take them straight
from university these days.

Yeah.

Stops them from being corrupted
by life's little experiences.

He's nearly 40.

I want you to telephone
the Hotel de Savoie.

Ask to speak to the occupant
of room 32 -- Nicole Carvet.

Tell her to wait there
till I get back to her.

LUCAS:
Ah. Good luck.

Oh.
No, thank you, sir.

-How old are you?
-52.

Not so long to retirement.

Is that what you wanted to
see me about?

[ Telephone rings in distance ]

You've worked here for 30 years.

Things have changed.

What changes
have you noticed most?

Well, um...

I had more hair
when I started here.

Uh, I didn't have a mustache.

And, you know,

I've seen 11 chief commissioners
pass through this office.

And yet you still like to deal
with matters

that every other chief inspector
leaves to his juniors.

I've never been very keen
on being stuck behind a desk.

Do you know Mlle. Prieur?

No.
Should 1?

She lives with her uncle,
M. Jean-Baptiste Prieur,

head of petitions
at the state council.

Can you tell me where you were
at 1:00 this morning,

Chief Inspector?

On whose authority
are you asking?

As your superior officer.

I was in a bar,
trying to help a young woman.

She was drunk and very upset.

I took her to a hotel
to help her sleep it off.

She told me her name
was Nicole Carvet

and she came from La Rochelle.

In fact,
her name is Nicole Prieur,

and she returned to her uncle's
house early this morning

in a state of great distress.

What she said concerned him
so much

that he immediately contacted
the Minister of the Interior,

who then telephoned me
personally at home.

She alleges that you struck up
a conversation with her

in a bar called Chez Désiré.

You bought her drinks,
then took her to a nightclub,

where you plied her
with more drinks.

Finally, you took her
to a cheap hotel --

the, uh, Hétel de Savoie --
where you tried to seduce her.

I met her in Chez Désiré

and bought her a brandy
to calm her down.

I took her
to the Hotel de Savoie

because she needed a bed
for the night.

The rest is absolute rubbish.

She says it was only because
she began to struggle

that you finally left her alone.

"I suppose at the last moment
he lost his nerve."

I had a stenographer take down
her statement, Chief Inspector.

This copy's for you.

What made you talk to her
in the first place?

Perhaps life might have been
safer for you

behind a desk after all.

She rang me at home
out of the blue.

She begged me to see her.

And you regard it
as perfectly normal

to rush off
to meet strange women

who telephone you
in the middle of the night?

She was threatening
to kill herself.

Oh, all right. I'll do things
differently from now on.

From now on, I'll, uh,
put career and reputation

before anything else.

After all, what's one life,
more or less?

What do you want me to do --
resign?

I would have to accept.

What's stopping you?

I want your version of events,
in detail, in writing.

Of course, you are forbidden
to talk to Mlle. Prieur

or to question anyone about her.

Thank you, sir.

Nor are you to discuss it
with your colleagues

at the Quai des Orfévres.

And if any of this gets into
the papers, Chief Inspector,

I will hold you
personally responsible.

I rang the Hotel de Savoie,
Chief.

They've never heard
of Nicole Carvet.

-Don't tell me.
-Yeah, that's right.

But they said the occupant of
room 32 had left and she'd said

Chief Inspector Maigret
would pay the bill.

If anyone wants me,
I'm not here.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Jacques.

Thought you'd be here.

Lapointe said
you didn't look too happy.

What's that --
from the chief commissioner?

I'm not to mention it to anyone.

You didn't.
I asked.

What's the matter with her?
Is she mad?

I wish she was.

It's all too carefully
worked out, unfortunately.

I wish I knew who the hell
was behind it and why.

"Spent the evening
with a girlfriend.

I was walking home
when I remembered

I'd left a couple of records
we'd been listening to

at her place,

so I popped into a bar
to phone her."

Also phoned me, but she doesn't
say that, of course.

Same again, please.

"I asked for a token for
the phone from the proprietor

and ordered a coffee as well."

She must have asked
for two tokens.

One to call her friend
and one to call you.

So the first thing is to get him
to swear he gave her two tokens.

I can't remember.

I can't remember anything
about last night.

But surely you remember me,
monsieur.

I came in after midnight --
just me and a girl.

We were over there.

No.
Not a thing.

MAIGRET: Somebody come in here
this morning

and pay you not to talk to me?

Who was it?

[ Glasses clatter,
horn honks in distance ]

You don't need to pay.

I know who you are.

I was told this morning
to pay for the room.

It's all been dealt with
since then.

Who by?

Just go, please.

I'd like to talk
to the night porter.

You're wasting your time.

You mean someone's
already talked to him. Who?

The person who paid
for the room?

-Who was that?
-I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry.
I can't help you.

I called a friend of mine,
a lawyer.

He knows the girl's uncle,
says he's a brilliant jurist

as well as a state councilor,
a highly respected man.

Why would he have a grudge
against me?

He's probably never heard
of you, Chief.

I certainly can't see
why he'd set a trap for you

and put his own niece
in such a risky position.

Mm-hmm.
What about her?

Nicole Prieur?

Left school last year, goes
to lectures at the Sorbonne.

I need to talk to her.

Yeah.

No.

Chief.

This is from
the chief commissioner.

Oh.

The girlfriend's confirmed.

Nicole spent the evening
with her

and telephoned her afterwards.

So Nicole's telling the truth.

LUCAS:
Hey, hey, hey.

Sorry, Chief.
[ Clears throat ]

So, who'd want to get rid of me
so much

that they'd think this story up?

Who you been getting
in the way of?

Who you been getting close to
recently?

Henri Lautier?

[ Brakes squeak ]

[ Engine shuts off ]

I've nothing to do with
organizing any robberies,

especially not restaurants.

I don't even go to restaurants.

How could I go to restaurants
on my money?

You manage to live
an extremely comfortable life

for a vegetable porter, Henri.

You said that the last time
you were here.

And the time before that.

And the time before that, too,
I think.

Still, it's nice to have
something familiar to rely on

in this terrible,
frightening world, isn't it?

Thank you.

Cheers.

Cheers.

And before you ask,

I had nothing to do with the job
last night.

Though, if you want my opinion,
they're real professionals.

Well, I mean,
once upon a time --

I mean before I saw the error
of my ways -- well...

...well, I must say

I'd have been really proud
of a job like that.

And you were safely at work
at the time, of course.

Yes.

I think your young friend
down there can vouch for that.

[ Birds chirping ]

Do you want me to stop
interfering, Henri?

Is that what you're trying to
tell me?

You'd like me to follow your
example and take a backseat?

LAUTIER: Well, I wouldn't mind,
of course.

Why?
What's the matter?

What is it?

Do you know a girl
called Nicole Prieur?

She's a student at the Sorbonne.

The Sorbonne?

I can hardly read and write.

How would I know someone
at the Sorbonne?

Her uncle's head of petitions
at the state council.

What's the state council?

I don't know
what you're talking about.

Where's Marguerite been?

Having coffee
with the neighbors?

Hardly her style, is it?

Been to the dentist.

MAIGRET:
Dentist?

-What's his name?
-LAUTIER: I don't know.

She's never been there before.

Why?

What do you think
she's been up to?

Someone's trying to get rid
of me, Henri.

What?

I'm getting in someone's way.

Someone I'm about to catch,
I suppose,

or somebody who feels safer
at a distance.

Look...
it's nothing to do with me.

I swear it isn't.

[ Door closes ]

Why don't you ask
your young friend to come up?

We can have a party.

He thinks I'm trying to
get rid of him, Marguerite.

Can you believe it?

He thinks
I'm trying to kill him.

Not that sort of "get rid of,"
Henri.

They're trying to make me
resign, retire early.

Get you to resign?

That would give you something
to celebrate, wouldn't it?

I wouldn't do anything dirty
like that.

Fair is fair.

I've known you nearly 20 years.

-He knows you wouldn't really.
-MAIGRET: Do 1?

What about this girl --
uh, what's her name? -- Nicole?

What's she got to do with it?

She says I got her drunk
and then I tried to seduce her.

-[ Chuckles ]
-You?

-MARGUERITE: How old is she?
-18.

She's obviously madly in love

with someone who knows he can do
what he wants with her.

He can just tell her
to do anything,

and she'll do it
without question.

Look, Chief Inspector,
I'm a woman.

I know exactly how stupid
women can be.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

LUCAS:
Ah.

Just the man.

-Janvier.
-Yeah?

I have a little favor to ask.

How do you fancy
putting your job on the line

and risking the security
of your wife and kids?

Mm, sounds an attractive
proposition.

But I think I'll have to say no
this time.

Chief's got a bit of a problem.

Well...they'll soon be old
enough to fend for themselves.

Well, in 10 or 15 years' time,
that is.

He's gonna need
some pictures taken of a girl.

Girl called Nicole Prieur.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

MAIGRET: I don't know her.
That's why I'm asking you.

Well, I'll help as best I can.

Well, she's 18,

niece of the head of petitions
at the state council.

They've got money.

Her uncle drives her here
sometimes --

Well, his chauffeur does.
Yes, I know the one.

Mixes with a group of rich kids.

They all live
near the Arc de Triomphe.

What are they like?

Lazy.
Arrogant.

Drive up in their sports cars

and park them in the professors'
parking spaces --

those who aren't driven here
in Daddy's car.

What's Nicole studying?

I don't know.

History, geography.

Doesn't make much difference,
really.

I mean, that's not
what they're here for.

That's not what that lot
are interested in.

What are they interested in?

Having a good time, dancing,
going to nightclubs.

There's one they like going to
especially.

What's it called?

Uh...

Oh, you know -- near the Avenue
de la Grande Armée.

Uh, no, I don't know.

Yes, you do.

There's a restaurant
on the ground floor.

The club's in the basement.
What the hell is it called?

They give you a key if you're
a member -- not a real key.

Ah.
The 100 Keys.

So, we might be retiring to our
little cottage on the Loire

rather sooner than I thought.

Well, I've always wanted to move
down there.

I was trying to look
on the bright side.

I'm sorry.

It's nice to go out
for a nice meal together

somewhere really, really smart.

-Take your mind off work.
-Yes.

A last fling
while we can still afford it.

[ Up-tempo jazz playing ]

MAIGRET:
Well, you've obviously built up

a thriving business, Marcel.

Chef's a miracle, isn't he?

It was a delicious meal.

Thank you.

Do you know, I think I recognize
some of your customers.

I'm sure you do.
We get all the top people here.

And I'm sure they recognize you,
Chief Inspector.

To be frank, I was a little
alarmed when you walked in.

I've been reading
about these robberies

you've been dealing with.

You don't think we're gonna be
next on the list, do you?

Who knows?

Tell me, Marcel, how does one go
about joining your club?

One?
You mean you?

[ Laughs ]

Why?
You like dancing, do you?

-We love it, don't we, darling?
-Oh, yes.

Yes, we adore it.

I should say so.

Well -- Well, first,
you'd have to pay 10,000 francs.

Second, you'd have to have
two club members to back you.

And third, you'd have to be
voted in by the committee.

Oh. Well,
you're obviously not keen

to get the wrong sort of member.

Exactly. Very select.

MAIGRET:
What are the members like?

Similar to the types
who eat up here?

Half their age,
I should imagine.

Well, yes,
they do tend to be, yes.

[ Chuckles ]

But it's all
very strictly managed.

Everything's completely correct
and aboveboard.

Break the rules once,
and you're out.

Tell me, do the members know
about your past, Marcel?

Look, please,

I am entirely respectable
and aboveboard nowadays,

including the nightclub.

We've got sons of
oil millionaires down there,

you know.

We've got the lot.

One girl's dad's
a member of the Jockey Club.

[ Chuckling ]
Is he, really?

And the, uh, membership list is
entirely confidential, isn't it?

Pardon?

Oh, yes, entirely confidential.

Very strict club rule, that is.

I'm very pleased to hear it.

LANDRY: Absolutely strict,
unbreakable rule.

Except for an old friend.

Well, that would be different,
of course.

One of the members
who backed her

was a friend
from the Sorbonne --

Martine Bouet.

The other lives
on the Rue des Fleurs.

Where the vegetable porter
lives.

That's her.

LUCAS: Well, they wouldn't have
him as a member, would they?

I thought you said
they were very select.

No, no, the member lives
opposite Henri.

A dentist, Francois Mélan.

Coincidence?

The dentist who Henri's
girlfriend, Marguerite,

went to see.

I saw her coming
out of his house.

LUCAS:
So it's not a coincidence.

[ Door opens I]

Just got these developed, Chief.

Lucas thought
they might come in useful.

MAIGRET:
Ah!

Well, you can show these
around...

see if anyone recognizes her.

Right. You keep those.
I've got copies.

What are you gonna do?

Get my teeth done.

Have you got an appointment?

Why does he call himself
a stomatologist?

MOTTE:
That's what he is.

Not just because
it's more distinguished-sounding

than dentist?

You can't see him
without an appointment.

It says between 10:00 and 12:00.

It's out of date.

Oh, I'm sure Dr. Mélan
will see me, madame.

Mademoiselle.

MAIGRET:
Mademoiselle.

I'm in agony.

I've been in absolute agony
all night.

# Baba £

If you're in a hurry, you ought
to try another dentist.

I'll wait. Thank you.

[ Buzzer ]

DR. MéLAN:
A right molar?

I think so, yes.

It's been causing you pain?

Unbearable.

Well, we'll have to do something
about that, won't we?

If you wouldn't mind.

Thank you.

Ah.

DR. MéLAN:
Have you had trouble before?

Oh, no, I've always had
very good teeth.

Would you put your head
right back?

Uh-huh. Right.

Could you open your mouth?

Wider.

-Does this hurt?
-No.

-This?
-No.

Did that hurt?

No. But it's not very pleasant.

No, I'm sure it wasn't.

No sharp pain, though?

I'm afraid not, no.

[ Instruments clinking ]

Well, I'm afraid there's nothing
wrong, not that I can see.

Well, I've been
in absolute agony, Doctor.

I thought the world
was coming to an end.

[ Chuckles ]

I don't know.

Perhaps it's sinusitis,

or perhaps
you're just imagining it.

[ Chuckles ]
People do, you know.

That's even more worrying.

That will be 600 francs
for the visit.

[ Chuckles ]

He didn't do anything.
There was nothing the matter.

Well, if there had been,
it'd be more.

Daylight robbery, that.

Was yesterday the first time
you'd been over there?

MARGUERITE:
Yes.

MAIGRET:
Why?

MARGUERITE:
Because it was the first time

I'd ever had toothache.

Ever?

MARGUERITE:
Yes.

[ Chuckles ]

You don't expect me
to believe that, do you?

MARGUERITE: It doesn't make
any difference to me

whether you do
or whether you don't, actually.

Matter of fact, I do believe
you, just for the record.

Goodness me.
Now I'm really worried.

That's just what I said to him.

MARGUERITE:
What?

Nothing.

Tell me about this nurse.

What do you make of her?

I don't make anything.

I don't like her, that's all.

Look, what is all this?

Do you know her name?

Motte. Mlle. Motte

Does she live there?

No, but she works late.
I've noticed that.

She's often there
till 7:00 or 8:00.

Why? What's she done?

I don't know
if she's done anything.

I'm struggling.
I don't know anything at all.

That's why I'm asking you,
Marguerite.

I mean, did she ask you
any questions, anything unusual?

No.

Except -- well, when I told her
where I lived,

she asked me what floor.

Is that all?

MARGUERITE:
One other thing.

She looked me up and down

and asked me if anything else
was the matter.

Apart from the toothache?

[ Door opens I]

Not again.

I thought I heard you.

How many times you been here
in the last few weeks?

Too many, but this is different.

I tell you what,

I'll buy you a nice pair
of pajamas and a toothbrush.

At least that'll save us

the bother of having to open
the door for you.

Mm.

Why is it different?

Because I'm not here
about the restaurant jobs.

Do either of you recognize
this young woman?

Oh. This the one giving you
all the trouble?

Let me see.

Oh, yes, I've seen her two or
three times -- across the road.

Coming out of the dentist's?

LAUTIER:
Well, not during office hours.

It was just before
I went off to market,

about 9:00, half past.

Do you remember
if the surgery light was on?

Yes, I do. And it wasn't.

I mean, it often is in the
evenings, but it wasn't then.

That's why I wondered
what they were up to.

You ever been pregnant,
Marguerite?

Now, come on.
Fair's fair.

What I mean is, have you ever
had to get rid of a baby?

Yes. Yes, I have,
but not for years.

You think that's why she asked
what was the matter with me?

Was that why she looked me
up and down like that?

Well, she didn't ask me
the same question, did she?

Hi, boss.

Lucas! Janvier!

[ Telephone ringing ]

What would you say
if I ordered you to tell me

how you've spent your time,
hour by hour,

since we met yesterday,
Chief Inspector?

I'd resign.

Mm.
Well, I don't need to ask you.

I already know.
I know everything.

I even know that your teeth
are in perfect working order.

You had me followed?

CHIEF COMMISSIONER: I told you
not to question anyone

about this matter,
Chief Inspector,

and you ignored me.

I also told you not to
talk about it with your men,

and you ignored that.

-Sir, I --
-MAIGRET: Lucas.

CHIEF COMMISSIONER: I've talked
to your men, Chief Inspector.

None of them
will be helping you again.

I've made it quite clear to them
how lucky they are

not to be facing serious
disciplinary action as it is.

You want my resignation,
you can have it willingly.

You've been working too hard,
Maigret.

You need a rest.

I do not need a rest.

You'll be taking sick leave,

which will last until
the investigation concerning you

is completed.

When we're ready, you'll be
allowed to return to your office

to prepare your defense.

In the meantime,

your duties will be taken over
by your junior officers.

Your leave begins at once,
Chief Inspector.

Well, it's nice
to have you home.

Someone to chat to,
pass the time of day with.

Are you going to mend the leak
in the sink?

How lovely.

It's needed doing for weeks.

[ Sighs ]

Will you be back for supper?

He knew about my teeth.

Pardon?

The chief commissioner --

he knew there was nothing wrong
with them.

Well, there isn't anything wrong
with most people's teeth.

Ah.

But he didn't find that out
by having me followed.

Dr. Mélan must have telephoned
Nicole Prieur,

who complained to her uncle,

who told
the Minister of the Interior,

who immediately telephoned
the chief commissioner.

Yes, I do see.

And you're not to talk
to any of them.

Maigret!

[ Door opens and closes ]

[ Sighs ]

[ Whistles ]

I'm just going to see my doctor.

I hope that's allowed.

No, no, I better not.
I'm on sick leave.

But you were perfectly healthy
two days ago.

Funny thing -- that's just what
my dentist said to me.

I want you to do me a favor.

I want you to find out about him
for me.

Your dentist? Why?

Well, he calls himself
a stomatologist,

whatever that is.

His name is Frangois Mélan.

He lives and works
in Rue des Fleurs.

He has a nurse who's --

"unfriendly," I suppose,
is the word.

Her name is Motte.

Juliette Motte?

MAIGRET:
You know her?

Mm. Not personally.

She used to work
for an old friend of mine --

Jacques Vivier.

What did he say about her?

He said she was the best nurse
he'd ever had.

Really?

It's just she had
a rather forbidding manner,

but underneath
she was kindness itself.

He almost thought she was too
soft-hearted for her own good.

I think we're being followed.

Who by?

By the police.

But don't worry.

I really do appreciate what
you're doing for me, Doctor.

If anything terrible
should happen,

I'll do my very best
to keep you out of it.

-I1 promise.
-[ Chuckles ]

Left at the next turning.

[ Doorbell rings I]

Ah. Good evening.

-Is Dr. Mélan in?
-No, he's not.

Perhaps I could speak to you,
mademoiselle.

We can speak down here.

Why? Is the doctor upstairs?

No. I told you.

How dare you?

Why won't you believe me?
He's not here.

Why are you protecting him,
mademoiselle?

I'm not protecting him.

Anyway, who are you?

You came here.

There was nothing wrong
with your teeth.

You know perfect well who I am,
Mlle. Motte.

Why did you decide to look after
Dr. Mélan?

Why did you give up everything
for him in particular?

I haven't given up anything.

I don't know
what you're talking about.

He pays me very well.

Why not some other man?

Jacques Vivier, for example?

Didn't he pay well?

How did you know about him?

Of course, he was an older man,
wasn't he?

Probably married
and quite self-sufficient,

whereas Dr. Mélan --

Well...there was almost
something boyish about him.

Is there?

MAIGRET:
I think so, yes.

Of course, I know certain women
like that sort of man.

Brings out the maternal instinct
in them.

But does he like them?

That's the question.

Let's not stay in here.

We don't want
Dr. Mélan wondering

why someone's working in his
surgery at this time of night.

You know, you can see the light
in here quite clearly

from the street.

And you can see anyone
in the street quite clearly

from here.

And of course you can see anyone
in the apartment opposite, too.

Dr. Mélan must have seen me
on many occasions

standing by the window
over there.

Don't you think?

He probably also saw my men
waiting down in the street

to follow Henri Lautier.

Who?

A criminal I've been trying to
catch for some time now.

That's why I was
in his apartment,

talking to him
and his girlfriend.

You mean you weren't...

Oh, I wasn't here
because of Dr. Mélan.

I just like staring
out of windows.

Helps me think, I suppose.

Certainly scared the doctor.

Terrified him so much,

he worked out
the most extraordinary plan

to destroy my reputation,

like a clever
but very destructive child.

Isn't that right?

Made me angry at first...
very angry!

I'm sorry.

But you mustn't blame him.

As you say, he's like a child.

But he isn't a child, is he?

So, why shouldn't I blame him?

Because I only had a few years
to go to retirement,

so it wasn't important --
is that what he thought?

I'd probably get my pension,
anyway, so what does it matter?

You're right.
He was terrified of you.

MAIGRET:
Why?

Because he thought

that I'd discovered
that he performed abortions?

Did you know he performed them?

Yes.

But that isn't enough, is it,

for him to do what he did to me,
surely?

I said I'm sorry
for what happened to you,

but you can't expect me
to help you.

MAIGRET:
Why not?

Because I'm all he has.

And he's all you have.

Tell me about Nicole Prieur.

Is she his mistress?

[ Chuckling ]
No.

No more than I am,
certainly not.

MAIGRET:
But he did give her an abortion.

Was that the hold he had
over her?

Did he threaten
to tell her uncle

unless she did what he wanted?

Because she certainly
did it well,

with complete
and utter conviction.

I'll give her that.

He would have made her do it,
but he didn't need to.

She'd have done anything
for him.

Why's that?

MOTTE: Because he was so kind
to her when he did the abortion.

She was mad about him.

And he always is kind.

They think he likes them,
but he doesn't.

He feels nothing but contempt
for them, especially her.

MAIGRET:
Why her?

Because she's a silly,
stuck-up bitch

who doesn't begin
to understand him.

Aha.

And you do?

Yes.

Yes, I do.

I'm the only one
that's always good to him

and doesn't ask for anything
back.

Is that why
he's terrified of women --

because of what they might want
back from him?

[ Chuckling ]
He's not terrified.

Why does he hate them so much?

He doesn't hate them.

He doesn't hate me.

No, because you mean
something different to him,

something more important,

something
that's not to do with sex...

‘cause you don't threaten him
the way the others do.

[ Voice breaking ] Because
he doesn't find me attractive.

It's true.

What does he do with them,
Juliette?

What does he do with the women
after he's killed them?

[ Sniffles ]

[ Gasps I]

I can't betray him.

I've told you. I can't.

I'm the only one he has.

Where is he now?

I need to talk to him.

I'm not going to say
another word.

I can't.

I need to talk to him.

He needs my help.
You know he does.

You'll have to talk to me
in the end,

or it'll be on your conscience
for the rest of your life.

I've always been
extremely interested

in the power the doctor has
over his patient, you see?

[ Exhales sharply ]

The absolute trust
the patient has to place in him

as part of the unwritten
contract that exists

between the two.

Sometimes, however, the power,

which, by definition,
must be one-way,

can be undermined

by the presence
of an additional ingredient.

MAIGRET: What additional
ingredient is that, Francois?

Sexual attraction, of course.

Of course.

DR. MéLAN: You're a man of
the world. You understand.

A pretty young woman
exerting her spell over a doctor

can seriously unbalance
the power ratio.

One has to maintain
one's professional standards.

It has to be discouraged.

By means of anesthetic?

It's very simple...and painless.

A large amount of anesthetic

doesn't hurt the patient,
you know,

any more
than a small amount does.

Science is a wonderful thing.

I'd go so far as to say

it's the only thing
in my experience

that can be entirely relied upon
in this world.

How many women have you treated
in this way, Doctor?

Four...in the last five
and a half years.

You'll find them in there.

I haven't harmed them,
nothing like that.

[ Chuckles ]

It's strange how good it is
to talk to you, you know.

I was extremely scared
first of all,

when I first saw you...

which is why I had to do to you
what I did.

But I feel perfectly calm now.

[ Chuckles ]

It must be the night air.

You know...

I suddenly feel very happy.

Won't you sit down, please?

No, thank you, sir.

I see the remains of four women
have been recovered,

exactly where you described.

What can I say?

Well, you could say,
"Thank goodness we caught him,"

or "Who knows how many more
there might have been?"

I'm sorry?

Oh, yes.

The man's mad, of course,
completely insane.

Probably.

I'd like to put it on record

that I believe his nurse,
Mlle. Motte,

was completely ignorant
of what was going on.

Surely that's not possible.

She was there most of the time.

That's my professional opinion,
sir.

She doesn't live there.

And I questioned her
very thoroughly.

Dr. Mélan makes the same point
in his statement.

Yes, but we've agreed
that he's completely --

Very well, Chief Inspector.

It's your investigation.

Thank you, sir.

And you wish me to continue it?

Of course.

And with
the restaurant robberies.

Well, I, uh --
I think that's it.

I think that'll be all.

My, uh -- My apologies
once again, Chief Inspector.

MAIGRET: May I, uh, ask about
one final point, sir?

Yes?

I assume I'm now free
to question Nicole Prieur?

No.

I beg your pardon?

-No, you're not free.
-Why not?

Because she's a disturbed,
deeply muddled young woman

who's been through
a very difficult time.

I think she's suffering enough
already.

And you've talked to her uncle?

As a matter of fact, I have,

and with
the Minister of the Interior.

They were both
extremely concerned --

for you as well as her,
I might add.

That's very kind of them.

Listen, Maigret.

You've got your murderer.

It'll be in all the papers.

You won't do badly out of it.

Just leave it at that.

Thank you, sir.

I forbid you to speak to her,
Maigret.

MAIGRET: Who was following Henri
last night?

Janvier.

Got nothing.

Mm.
[ Chuckles ]

You're all lost without me.

Mm, that's one way of looking
at it.

The other way is, we got just
the same result last night

as all the other nights
when you were with us.

[ Chuckles ]
True.

Anyway,
it wasn't entirely wasted.

Janvier had a chat with him,

told him you were being
reinstated with full honors.

Henri was delighted.

He sends you his best wishes.

He organized two restaurants
being turned over last night.

Two.
We're going soft.

-Yeah, well, I'm sorry, but --
-Hold it.

LUCAS:
Chief, be careful.

MAIGRET:
Yep.

Feel better now?

Take me to the nearest bar,
Lucas.

Buy me a large calvados,
and then I'll feel better.

[ Engine turns over ]

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