Original subtitles

INSPECTOR REX

THE BLIND WITNESS

It's 7.15. Good morning.

Today's weather...

- Switchboard. - Schumann speaking.

Tell me...

Is there a shop near the hotel that sells hunting weapons?

Yes, there is.

- I'll look up the address. - I'll wait.

Someone's at the door. I'll be right back.

- Yes? - We have to talk.

I've heard you've been in Slovakia.

- You know where I mean. - Who are you?

That's irrelevant.

I just want to know what you're planning.

I can guess how you found out

and who told you where to find me.

But I've nothing to say to you. I don't talk to murderers.

It would be better for everyone if we could agree.

For you, perhaps.

But I saw what's going on and I'm going public.

Please leave.

- Listen, Mr Schumann. - Out.

Or I'll call the police.

Pity... Mr Schumann.

Get out!

Hotel Bristol.

One moment.

A call for you.

Mr Schumann? Is everything okay?

Has something happened?

Is everything okay, Mr Schumann?

Are you all right, Mr Schumann?

Switchboard, good morning.

- Is something wrong? - It's Mr Schumann.

- You should tell the boss. - I'll call him.

It's Miss Heinrich here.

I think a guest's been attacked.

Hey, mind the cupboard! I painted it myself.

That's not fair.

Right. Come here.

Go on. Go!

Don't complain. Watch the ball and speed up.

Now we'll do it all again. Now...

So you're sorry now, eh?

It's too late.

Moser here.

What's up, Stocki?

Where?

We're on our way. Rex, there's work to do.

Good morning.

Right. You stay there.

Sit. Good.

Two shots at close range. We have the bullets.

- Any shells? - No, unfortunately.

So he either used a revolver or he took the shells.

- Morning. Hi, Stocki. - Hello, Richard.

- Where's Rex? - In the lobby. What happened?

Klaus Schumann, a German. Arrived yesterday.

His company booked the room a while ago.

He was a big shot.

His secretary said he was on holiday here.

Ah, Richard.

Two shots fired into the chest cavity

at a range of over 50 centimetres.

No powder burns. Nothing.

- Any sign of a struggle? - No.

They were facing each other.

The entry and exit wounds show the bullet went straight through.

In short, he surprised him, and bang!

- Time of death? - About half an hour ago.

But Mr Stockinger knows more.

I'll call you again after the post-mortem.

- Goodbye, gentlemen. - Goodbye.

He used the pillow as a silencer.

Judging by the calibre it's a pistol.

I'll keep going.

- Anything missing? - Quite a bit.

Money, papers, credit cards.

The hotel staff say he had a briefcase. It's gone.

- Who found him? - The manager.

A telephonist told him something may have happened.

Did he miss his wake-up call?

No, she seems to have heard the whole thing.

That's how we know the time of death.

Finished?

Schumann put the receiver here when he went to the door.

- Then it happened. - Spoken to her?

No, I just got here.

- Where's the telephonist? - Downstairs.

We can use the conference room for interviews. She's there.

- What do you want? - Look at this.

Hello. My name is Moser.

I'm Brigitte Heinrich.

Good.

So you saw someone...

- I'd have come sooner if... - You'd known I'm blind?

That doesn't matter. Treat me like a normal person.

I'm sorry. That wasn't exactly...

That's fine.

You know, it was dreadful for me to hear it all

and not be able to stop it.

- We can discuss it later. - No, no.

It might help you find the murderer.

Right.

I start work at 9 o'clock.

Mr Schumann rang just after that...

and asked about a gun shop.

I thought that was odd.

- Did he say he wanted a gun? - No.

He just wanted to know if there was a gun shop nearby.

I said I'd look up the address.

We have Braille phone directories.

Mr Schumann said he was going to answer the door.

He thought it was room service.

And then this man came into his room.

Are you quite sure it was a man?

- And that he was alone? - You know...

I only heard it all over the phone.

But hearing well is a must for me.

I'd recognise that man by his voice any time.

Were any names mentioned?

No.

Mr Schumann didn't know the other man.

He said "Who are you?"

But the other man used Mr Schumann's name.

Was there a quarrel, an argument?

The man who came to see Mr Schumann was quiet.

It was about something Mr Schumann had found out

and was about to go public with.

It was about Slovakia.

Schumann called the other man a murderer

and said he wouldn't talk to him.

Do you know why he called him a murderer?

No.

The other man just said "Pity, Mr Schumann."

And then there were two muffled bangs.

I heard Mr Schumann groaning.

And then...

I don't think I can keep going.

- Could we talk tomorrow? - Of course.

Someone will drive you home.

No, no. I'd rather walk home.

Let's have a look.

- Richard... - Yes.

Schumann deposited a safe key here.

All we need is the safe and we're home and hosed.

- Hello, Miss Heinrich. - Hello.

So Schumann's secretary booked a room only in Vienna?

No mention of Slovakia or other Eastern European countries.

He told her to book a room for his holiday in Vienna.

Okay.

His firm makes accessories, mainly for the car industry.

What was Schumann's job?

Quality-control manager. He was a mechanical engineer.

I've sent a query to his German colleagues. That might help.

He must have gone to Slovakia, then come to Vienna.

A man comes into his room.

Schumann calls him a murderer, threatens to blow the whistle

and is shot and killed.

There are plenty of motives.

Drugs, arms dealing, industrial espionage...

Hey, are you snoring?

It's Rex. He pigged out at the hotel.

First of all, if I sleep at work, I'm quiet.

Secondly, we now know about the safe-deposit key.

It's from a private locker-hire company.

Mr Schumann rented the safe only yesterday.

There.

22. 1 0. 1 994. That was two days ago.

Lesice.

- Sounds like Slovakia, eh? - It's soil and water samples.

If Schumann called the other guy a killer,

that stuff's pretty dangerous... perhaps.

Fine.

I don't know if I can just give it to you.

This is a murder case.

Count yourself lucky we're removing toxic material.

If you like, I'll stay longer.

No, thanks. I'm feeling a bit better.

If you need anything, let me know.

Terrible... hearing someone being killed.

You really deserve sympathy.

He deserves more sympathy than I do.

Come here.

I found this in my surgery.

Would you like it?

Right. I'm ready.

He just has to learn he can't come to the movies.

He's grumpy.

- Why? - Ask him.

I'll make myself beautiful.

Even more beautiful? Then we'll miss the movie.

Listen, Rex. You can't come to the movies.

Don't get upset.

You can't always come with us.

I don't think we'll get out of here.

Then let's stay here.

What?

Okay.

- We'll stay here, then. - What?

We'll stay here, then.

If Rex doesn't want us to go, we must stay here.

In the meantime, we've hidden the load

until we can bring it over.

What happened to Schumann was unavoidable.

He wanted to blow the whistle.

I took his documents with me.

Good. I'll dispose of them.

By the way, have the police called yet?

Damn.

And?

Yes?

Very good.

The samples had high levels of potassium cyanide.

It's used in metalwork and galvanising.

The waste product contains cyanide.

Then it could come from Schumann's company.

But they know nothing and said their lawyer would call.

Lesice is a tiny place just over the border.

A few houses and no industry.

The stuff must have been taken there.

It's becoming common for that special waste shit

to be dumped in Eastern Europe.

The elegant disposal of toxic waste!

Maybe he found out and was about to go public.

It fits with what the telephonist heard.

I'll go there. I'm more likely to find out.

Just like that?

Yes. You can mind Rex. I may have to stay the night.

No way. Leave him with your vet girlfriend.

She's busy.

See how much he likes you.

Sorry, but I have to look after your master.

I'm coming to Slovakia with you.

- Please. - Okay, but leave Rex alone.

Rex, we're going to Miss Heinrich's place.

Hello, Miss Heinrich.

- Your neighbour sent me here. - Hello, Mr Moser. Do come in.

- Nice hiding place. - Is someone with you?

Just my dog.

- His name is Rex. - Rex?

Come here, Rex.

What a beautiful dog. He's so big.

German shepherd?

I once had a dog, for ten years.

- Oh? - Sadly, he died.

Some relatives gave him to me shortly after my accident.

Was he a guide dog?

He wasn't trained or anything, but he was a great help.

Then why didn't you get another one?

Losing him was so terrible.

I'm afraid of going through that again.

We were always together. I even took him to work.

His name was Arko. He was a German shepherd too.

Sometimes I think I'd like to have a dog again.

I wouldn't be so lonely.

I'm going to Slovakia for a couple of days...

I have to leave Rex somewhere.

If it's not a nuisance for you...

could you...

Could he possibly stay with you?

- You'd leave him with me? - Why not?

I'd love that.

- He'd take my mind off things. - He could walk with you.

It would be a bit like before, when I had Arko.

But I'm sure you're not just here to leave Rex with me.

That's true, unfortunately.

I thought of something else.

Mr Schumann said

"I've seen what's going on down there

"and I can imagine where you get your information."

I think Schumann was onto some people

who transport toxic waste to Eastern Europe.

But can you think of anything about the other man?

Yes, but I don't know if it will be much help.

He speaks very slowly.

That is something. Thank you, Miss Heinrich.

So it's all set. Rex, you stay here.

I'll be back soon. I'll bring you a present.

I'll take good care of him.

- I hope so. Goodbye. - Goodbye.

He'll be back soon.

I'll look after you until then, Rex.

Come on. Let's go for a walk.

Thanks, Rex. Come on.

I had two ham rolls somewhere.

Just as well Rex isn't here.

Where are you?

What is it, Rex?

Let's keep going.

Oh, I see. You want me to throw it for you.

I hope I don't hit anyone. Watch out!

If anyone asks, H�llerer will say we're out investigating.

- I hope he doesn't say where. - Of course not.

You couldn't be bothered filling out forms.

It wasn't that. It was having to wait for an answer.

This wasn't here yesterday.

I have to get my bearings.

Good, Rex.

We should have contacted the Slovak authorities.

We're here unofficially. Besides, they may know nothing.

It would probably take ages to explain what we want.

Exactly. I barely know enough Slovak to order dinner.

Wait here. I'll just get my radio.

They promised to repair it immediately.

What's "the bill" in Slovak?

Let me think. It's...

Call H�llerer and tell him to stay at the office.

Car 741. Come in, Control.

Thanks. Over.

Lucky Bratislava's only 30 minutes from Vienna.

It's almost 1 2. We must hurry.

Come, Rex.

Come on.

What's up, Rex?

Is something wrong?

Is everything all right now?

It's me. It went wrong.

- She has a dog with her. - Shit.

Then think of something else.

Our man in Germany has phoned again.

He's getting nervous.

If this gets out, we'll lose that client.

Do you think Dr Swoboda knows about the toxic waste?

Who else, if not the doctor?

He wouldn't say anything on the phone, but...

Let's see. After all, he does treat the locals.

We're looking for Dr Swoboda.

That's me.

We have to go down there.

They sink the barrels here. It's been going on for some time.

How did you find out?

The children from around here

were coming to my surgery with symptoms

for which there was no logical explanation.

Headaches, stomach cramps, dizziness and asthma.

Could they be caused by cyanide poisoning?

That's certainly possible.

Unfortunately, I'm not able to analyse the water.

But if the contents of the barrels

have got into the ground water

then this whole area is contaminated.

There have already been fatalities.

Dr Swoboda...

Why didn't you inform the authorities?

I tried, but I was threatened.

And...

I do have a family, after all.

But when that Mr Schumann was here

I gave him some documents.

They vanished from his room after he was murdered.

Do you know...

who brings the waste?

A man from Vienna.

I saw him with our mayor at the pub.

- Who is this man? - Janicek. He comes from here.

He moved to Austria a few years ago.

He tries to cover up his accent by speaking really slowly.

It was him in the hotel room.

- Where can we find him? - He has a business in Vienna.

He doesn't deliver the waste himself.

He gets a Slovak firm to pick it up from Vienna.

And you told Mr Schumann all this?

Yes. He was here a few days ago.

He thought the barrels came from his company.

Officially they went to a waste disposal company

but unofficially Janicek dumped them here.

Schumann thought someone from his firm was on the take.

Behind you, on the left.

Visitors?

There are people here who want nothing to change.

They told Janicek about Schumann,

so they'll tell him we were here.

- We must call H�llerer at once. - Let's do it.

You can call from my surgery.

We'll tell the Slovak police and make sure you're okay.

Janicek's firm is actually in the phone book.

Right. We'll put a 24-hour watch on him.

Wimmer can pretend to be a customer wanting Janicek.

Then we'll know what he looks like.

See you.

We should have arrested Janicek at once.

Only to release him within half a day?

No one at the hotel saw anyone suspicious.

We know he used a pistol and took the shells with him.

He wouldn't leave them around. They'll be in the Danube.

We've got nothing on him.

Unless the telephonist recognises his voice.

It's H�llerer. Janicek's leaving in his car.

It's me again. Janicek has a truck hidden here.

He's just driven off in it.

He's heading for the freeway. I'll tail him.

But he won't do anything until it's dark.

Richard? I've got through at last.

Where are you now?

Near Vienna. That's good.

Janicek's heading for the Danube,

probably to dump some waste.

Listen.

Take the freeway exit for the tanker terminal.

I think he'll stop there.

No.

I'll wait at a safe distance until you arrive.

Hurry, and park a long way from the river, or they'll hear you.

I'll park in the bushes near the truck. See you.

We must hurry.

Angle the ramp so the barrels roll into the river.

Bring the barrels to the ramp.

- At last. - What's up?

Janicek's dumping toxic waste into the Danube.

- I've called Emergency. - We can't wait.

Not one barrel must be dumped.

Those barrels are meant for Slovakia, aren't they...

Mr Janicek?

- Did you get lost? - None of that.

Stop!

Not deserting your boss, are you? Let's go.

Schumann was right.

The barrels are from the firm he worked for.

He saw what was going on with the toxic waste.

A certain Dr Schneider is responsible for waste disposal.

He told you everything Schumann was doing.

I don't mind paying a fine for polluting the Danube.

Oh? But Schumann's murder will cost you dearly.

You have to prove that.

That was a nice walk, Rex. It's almost time for dinner.

Come, Rex.

I know what happened. Someone tried to run me over.

He's still there, isn't he?

Come on, Rex.

Come, Rex.

You must be very quiet now.

He didn't see us.

Stay calm, Rex.

So...

There you are.

Miss Heinrich?

- Mr Moser. - Hello.

Hello.

Did it help that I recognised the killer's voice?

Of course. It was easier to get him to confess.

His German accomplice confessed too.

Dr Swoboda got the authorities to send the waste back.

Good.

And how's Rex?

Fine.

Oh, yes. I've brought you something.

- What? - Something special.

He's yours.

My dog handler mates will turn him into a guide dog.

- Okay? - Thank you.

Shake hands.