Original subtitles

Celine! I thought We’d never see you again.

Here I am.

There's a skeleton under an uprooted tree.

The woman who found it is a homicide detective.

- They’re trying to mess with us. - Who?

Something’s going on.

Someone stole my shovel.

That means when your grandma died, if it's really her,

Can I do something to lighten your burden?

- What’s the horrible story? - Veronique Jolicoeur.

Celine’s cousin and best friend.

- Don’t you want to find her? - We won’t find her.

I want you to reopen Veronique Jolicoeur’s murder case.

- How much longer? - It’s almost done.

Just a little touch-up.

- Go and look at yourself. - Yeah?

- Oh my god! You’re awesome! - No, you’re awesome.

Okay, now put on your costume

and help me glue on my nose.

- Okay. - Wait! I have another accessory.

Take one and put it in your purse.

- A skeleton with a knife? - It’s Halloween.

Anything could happen.

- I asked you a question. - That’s the town hall.

The municipality lends us rooms for information sessions, training.

Celine doesn’t hate you for watching her cousin.

Watched? Had both eyes glued to her.

You would have too, everyone did.

Veronique was somehow magical.

Celine pretended she didn’t mind not being noticed.

That’s not the only reason she’s mad at you.

It was at first.

But later on, it was because of a rumour.

- Apparently, evidence went missing. - What evidence?

It was just a rumour. I didn’t get rid of anything.

Still, she thinks I did.

But I wanted to nab the guy who killed Veronique as badly as she did.

- As badly as she did? I doubt - Just as badly.

THE WALL

It wouldn’t be the first time the boss skirted protocol.

But reopening the case needs a judge to sign off.

He knows some judges.

Who’d risk reopening a 35-year-old case with no new evidence?

- We have new evidence! - Really?

I thought I’d managed to bury it deep in my memory...

But it’s coming back.

But after all this time, isn’t your memory a little... fuzzy?

But it still feels like yesterday.

Okay, I believe you.

But reopening a case takes more than memories, it takes solid evidence.

How can I get evidence with no investigation?

I don’t know.

Weren’t you happier when it was all behind you?

You want to delve into it again?

I should’ve known coming here I’d have no choice.

I’ve been investigating homicides for years.

Years spent arresting murderers, yet I’m never satisfied.

- You think if you arrest her killer... - I owe it to her.

To try, at least.

Get up. I’ll drive you home, but we’ll talk more tomorrow.

Uncle?

Vero?

My poor baby!

Did you tell the police everything you know?

- You feel it too, right? - What?

About Vero.

- That she’s dead? - No! We don’t know that.

Not for sure.

You think so?

Yes.

The police will find her, you’ll see.

Leopold asked me to come here to wait with you, just in case.

He’s out helping them look.

You should rest. Take a nice bath, okay?

Celine!

Do you think he’ll come?

Who? Your Morency?

His name’s Damien.

If our cousins saw you together, they’d cut off your Romeo’s head.

Damien!

Hey, I know!

- Let’s do Macbeth. - No!

- Yes! - No, I suck!

Come on, just the beginning. For once, I’m in costume.

Where hast thou been, sister?

Killing swine. Sister, where thou?

A sailor’s wife had chestnuts in her lap,

“Give me,” quoth I.

“Aroint thee, witch!” the rump-fed ronyon cries.

Her husband’s to Aleppo gone. But in a sieve I’ll thither sail,

Though his bark cannot be lost, Yet it shall be tempest-toss’d.

The drum!

Already? You skipped tons of stuff.

A drum! Macbeth Morency doth come.

Damien?

All hail, Macbeth Morency, thou shalt be king hereafter!

Do you seek me, madam? Is so sweet a hope permitted me?

That’s cute.

What’s that? That’s not Macbeth. It’s not even Shakespeare.

It’s Corneille. No, Racine. I can’t remember.

Is Johnny...

Not exactly the best place to work.

Leopold Jolicoeur doesn’t want us to take his mother’s skeleton away.

They had trouble making him see reason.

The guy’s stubborn.

- Isn’t he in the hospital? - Yes, but he has his wits about him.

“Re-bury her and leave her alone” he said.

Yeah... But he might be right.

The coroner’s on his way. But Forensics say he won’t get much.

- They found some clothing fibres. - Okay.

Some hairs.

Jolicoeur says he still has a lock of his mother’s hair.

Okay. It should be easy to formally identify her.

Yes, but aside from that...

And the ring

Nothing special.

A bit big for a woman’s finger, but not by much.

- There’s something engraved inside. - Yes, in Latin.

“The darkness has not overcome me.

I studied with the Jesuits.

“The darkness has not overcome me.”

No! Kevin, did you see?

That’s how he knocks.

Celine!

I didn’t think you’d show up so soon. I have nothing prepared.

- I won’t be here long. - What a surprise.

Still just as lovely.

Emile, look. It’s Celine!

Your cousin who played with you when you were little.

Hi, Emile.

Do you recognise me?

Emile!

You’re always happy to see photos of Celine.

Easy now, honey. You won.

At least have a cup of tea.

Go and get Celine a cup of tea, Kevin.

Thank you.

Emile has something for us to read.

“Your eyes are lode-stars;

“and your tongue’s sweet air

More tuneable than lark to shepherd’s ear.”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

From Emile to you.

Thanks, Emile.

I should tell you the real reason why I’m here.

We’re all ears, honey.

Last night in Uncle Leopold’s orchard

we found the skeleton of Marie-Therese Jolicoeur.

Mum?

What on earth do you mean, you found her skeleton?

You okay?

What use are a ring and some Latin?

The crime occurred over 70 years ago. Usually, I just identify the body.

The apple tree and shovel are your job.

- It’s not a career-launching case.

But there might be a much more interesting investigation.

- A case they can’t give to Celine. - What?

- Not Veronique Jolicoeur. - I’m already here.

I just need to buy some time.

So, we’ll take a closer look at the monks and the shovel.

Still need the ring?

Okay.

Thanks.

Did you tell Father Sebastien? About the skeleton? I tried to.

I just went to see him, but he wasn’t in his office.

No?

I didn’t want to disturb him. He was going walking with a layperson.

- A layperson? - Yes.

He’s a good man to give them his time.

He calls them his “evangelical promenades”.

- But he doesn’t do that very often. - It’s true.

But lately, with some of them...

- Like Mr Dupuis? - No.

No, I meant Mr Morency. Damien Morency.

Yes, that’s it. He’s a bigshot.

It’s great to see a man like that with faith.

Yes, especially in a man like Damien Morency.

The skeleton was right here, caught in the roots.

I need to tell Father Sebastien right away.

Which way was he headed?

- For his walk with Damien Morency? - They took the lakeside path.

- They can’t have gone far. - Okay.

- I’m running out of patience, Seb. - Don’t call me that.

Especially here on abbey grounds.

I said I didn’t want to be disturbed.

The police?

What?

Hang on. I’ll be right there.

Tell them I’ll be there in 30 minutes.

What’s going on?

I’m sorry to announce it so abruptly. It was so unexpected.

It’s not your fault. We’ll be fine.

I’d like you to tell me about Marie-Therese one day.

Mother was young when she disappeared, and Uncle Leopold never talks about it.

Okay.

I’m a bit shaken right now, but tomorrow...

I’d be happy to tell you about Mum.

- I could come here. - No!

I mean, I want to see the apple tree with my own eyes.

See you tomorrow.

But come by whenever you like. It’s a big house.

All settled in at Leopold’s?

Yes, but I sleep next to Veronique’s room.

- It’s weird, but I’ll get used to it. - I understand.

But you mentioned your mother. How is Francoise?

To be honest, we haven’t spoken in 20 years.

I’m not surprised.

My sister has always looked for trouble wherever she goes.

I haven’t been able to stomach her in a long time either.

I’m going to get Leopold from hospital.

Thanks for the tea.

“Good night, good night!

“Parting is such sweet sorrow,

“That I shall say good night till it be morrow.”

Romeo and Juliet.

- Does your cousin inspire you? - Good night in advance, Emile.

Emile!

What’s all this

about an apple tree and a hen’s head?

- What is it? - His car’s in the abbey parking lot.

- Damien’s? - Yes, that stuck-up Morency.

Yes, he’s always there. I don’t know what it means.

He must have a lot of sins to forgive.

Where are you going with this?

It wasn’t he who dug up Grandma in Uncle Leopold’s orchard!

A scumbag’s a scumbag, even if he drives a BMW.

Relax, okay? We can’t draw conclusions until...

What are you doing?

Serving him a little appetiser.

Jesus! Calm down, Simon. I’ll come by your place and we’ll discuss it.

You’re gonna come to my pigsty, big brother?

Well, well.

Tired of trailer life? You know what to do.

I’m not like you.

I want nothing to do with Mum and the cretin.

I have another call. Tonight, your place at 9 p.m.

Yes? No, hang on.

Listen.

Start slowly from the beginning.

Hang on.

- Give me that. - I’m fine.

I asked you to come and help with the livestock.

Do I look like a lame goat?

A goat? No, just a stubborn old horse.

You must be a saint to put up with me.

That’s not what I said. And I’ll need your help too.

Here we go. What do you want?

My tractor? My snowblower? My money?

All be yours soon anyway.

Stop it!

Don’t worry, I won’t let this drag on.

You won’t have the privilege of changing my nappies.

My sisters are rich, and almost as old as me.

- Who else would I leave it all to? - I don’t know, Uncle.

Go and sit down.

I want it to stay in the family.

Exactly.

You’re a Jolicoeur inside and out.

Whether you like it or not. And Celine...

You’re all I have left of Vero. You understand?

It’s all in here. It’s all in order. Just open it and take a look.

- There’s no rush. - Tell me you’ll accept it.

If you don’t want the house, give it to your daughter and her kid.

Sophie take care of an orchard? She’s happy in Quebec City with her son.

What’s bothering you so much?

You know how your old uncle is.

Still alive, but barely breathing.

What do you need my help with?

What use could this old horse be, aside from croaking?

Since I got here...

I’ve been remembering things.

Memories.

Good ones...

And bad ones.

Don’t go there, Celine.

I’d beg you on my knees if I could.

Don’t go there.

You won’t come back.

- Are they here? - Just got here.

Sorry to bother you. I thought Brother Isaac would have told you.

- Brother Isaac? - I guess he didn’t find you.

Antoinette Morency, how can I help you?

Got my twelfth!

Stop shooting. I’m calling about Brother Jacques.

Stop shooting, it’s about Brother Jacques.

Brother Jacques, Brother Jacques... Are you sleeping?

Stop it!

- Okay, I’m listening. - Later.

Start by getting changed and fetching me from the abbey.

If I’m not there, wait in the car park.

- And call me a tow truck. - Okay.

Sure this is worth it?

This is the current abbot.

Father Sebastien. He got here when he was 20.

He became the big boss in the late ’90s.

Not everyone was happy about it.

What do you mean? There was competition for the post?

Yes. The abbey has a lot of sway around here.

Not just in terms of religion.

Politically? Economically?

All of it.

Hello, gentlemen.

Come with me.

Hello.

You’re Veronique Jolicoeur’ cousin, right?

You’re that rich Morency kid, right?

Mind if I sit with you?

Are you here for the summer?

I was.

Summer’s almost over.

-I saw you a few times in the village.

- When do you leave? - In two weeks.

Will you come back?

The occasional weekend. What’s it to you?

I’d like to hang out.

What are you listening to?

Corey Hart.

- Do you like him? - Yes.

All hail Macbeth Morency, thou shalt be king hereafter!

My condolences.

Thanks.

It’s not like we just heard she’d died.

Still. At least now you know.

- We still don’t know what happened. - You, maybe.

But based on the state of my tyres,

there are a few Jolicoeurs who think they know.

So the Morencys aren’t involved?

I honestly don’t know. My father always swore

that my family had too much respect for your grandma to attack her.

Attack her how exactly? I thought you didn’t know what happened.

I mean they wouldn’t have attacked her physically.

Don’t try to trap me. I know nothing about her death.

Honestly. I’d tell you.

My question was less about her death, more about her exhumation.

If you don’t know about the first, you can’t solve the second.

Obviously.

I never pictured you as a detective, but I see it suits you.

I see you can still see right through my game.

What was your game back then?

Had I known, I might have had a chance.

But the dice were loaded, right?

I haven’t seen you in 35 years. Must we talk in riddles?

I heard you got married.

I heard that sort of thing wouldn’t stop you.

It depends. It’s on a case-by-case basis.

Anyway, I’ve been separated for a month.

- You didn’t know? - No.

You’re pretty well-informed.

About you? Don’t tell me you’re surprised.

I have some questions for you.

Your uncle just came out.

He’s coming to get you.

Don’t let him catch you with a nasty Morency.

Good?

Tomorrow?

Okay.

The only two monks who are old enough

to remember the disappearance of Marie-Therese Jolicoeur

would be Father Albert and Father Gabriel.

Why “would be”?

Both were out of the country at the time.

Father Albert in a monastery in Italy, and Father Gabriel in Germany,

if I remember correctly.

They came back here much later, in the 70s.

Someone knew where the body was buried.

That apple tree wasn’t uprooted by chance.

Why? What does that mean?

I don’t know.

A message? A warning? A threat?

Aimed at who?

At the time, the apple tree was on your grounds.

Why isn’t it anymore?

The Jolicoeurs have chipped away at it bit by bit, more every year...

It's in their genes.

Legally, after a certain time,

someone who continuously uses a plot of land becomes its owner.

And you just let them?

My predecessors thought it would be the lesser of two evils

to keep the peace with the Jolicoeurs.

I didn’t see the point of breaking with tradition.

- Are those chants in Latin? - Of course!

There’s an inscription inside. Does it mean anything to you?

“Tenebrae earn non comprehenderunt.”

It’s from the prologue to the Gospel according to John.

“The darkness has not overcome me.”

If you like. There are other possible translations.

- Rings a bell? - It’s a well-known verse.

Yesterday someone stole your shovel and dug up a corpse.

- Any idea who it could have been?

Look, I’ll tell everyone to contact you

if they have any information that could be of help.

That’s all I can do.

Thanks for your cooperation, Father.

You’re a busy man. We’ll see ourselves out.

- Something fishy there. - It’s normal he’s upset.

- You think he’s hiding something? - I’m not sure.

But he clearly doesn’t like us snooping.

I doubt it’s anything to do with old lady Jolicoeur’s murder.

And if it’s something else it’s not my business, right?

No, but if it’s not related to a homicide...

We’ll discuss it tomorrow. But give me the ring.

I should return it to the family.

Thanks.

No! No interview. And I wouldn’t come here

unless you want to look down the barrel of my 12-gauge.

- A reporter? - The second today and it’s not over.

She’s more than our mum and grandma. She’s iconic round here.

Her remains have been found. It’s a big deal.

- Can’t we leave the dead alone?

You knew it was risky inviting me here.

Right.

That’s your boyfriend, here to pick up Mum’s hair.

Thanks. We’ll take care of it.

We’ll return what we don’t need.

- You can keep all of it. - No!

Why do you have this?

One night, don’t know what got into her,

she cut off her hair with a knife.

She left no more than a couple of inches.

My sister Louise watched her, crying like a baby.

We each took a lock before Mum burned it in the stove.

The Collins house is impressive. I’d never been inside it.

The Collins were aristocrats

the trashy Jolicoeurs married for respectability?

Did Johnny tell you that?

That and much more. So it’s true.

When my cousin Kevin married Claire Collins,

Colonel Collins had to accept the families’ alliance.

- The Collins didn’t have much choice. - The Jolicoeurs paid their debts?

They wrote them off, let’s say.

Think Kevin and Claire’s love was real.

Today they seemed a loving couple to me.

Tell me about your cousin Emile who’s a bit special.

- What of him? - Johnny says he can’t talk,

but he reads Shakespeare?

No, he can’t read. Emile has a photographic memory.

My cousin Veronique often took care of him, as did I.

Veronique longed to be a great actress.

As kids, she read plays to Emile, especially Shakespeare.

He’d sit next to her, and to memorise the lines,

she’d run her finger under them while reciting them.

We realised that, in five seconds,

Emile could find whatever line in whatever play she’d read him.

He associates groups of letters with sentences he’s heard?

That’s how he understands them.

But he can’t decipher a text he’s never heard?

No. We tried to teach him, but...

Hello, Auntie.

I couldn’t wait any longer. I want to see.

What are you doing here?

Couldn’t you have called me? She’s my mum too.

Simon came to see me in hospital.

It’s not my fault he didn’t tell you.

You could have called me out of simple politeness.

It looks like a museum.

Hey, is this you?

You’re right.

To reopen a case, we need new evidence.

- Solid evidence. - Hang on.

Before that, tell me what you know.

It’s slowly coming back to me, but I can’t remember everything.

- Johnny said that it was you who... - Yes, it was.

Got anything to drink?

Here. Here.

Are you already drunk?

What’s going on with you?

Oh, fuck!

A deer?

- No, this ain’t no deer, Kev. - Why do you have a gun?

- It’s hunting season, come on. - You can’t be serious.

Come on.

The next day, I went back to the fire.

I looked in Veronique’s purse to find cigarettes

and found the knife she’d given me.

I picked it up.

The fire was still smoking.

I bent down to light my cigarette, and that’s when...

In the fire, along with the mask, there was something else.

What?

That’s where she was decapitated.

Yeah, right.

Her body was never found.

But in the monks’ sugar shack,

there was blood everywhere.

She was my dad’s cousin.

Her name was Veronique.

Fuck!

Subtitles © SBS Australia 2023