"You can't leave it all overnight." "Not again!" "I wanted to wait until after vacation." "My eldest's having problems." "I have to be around." " Can't you understand?" " But I DO!" "It's over?" "Go ahead and say it." "It's over." " Come on." " Emmanuelle, wait..." "Come on." "Barsac speaking..." "Who?" "Nadia?" "Is it serious?" "I'll be there in 10 minutes." "Ah!" "Emmanuelle." "Nadia wanted us to call you, she's in the back." " Some coffee?" " No thanks." "Just great!" "I'm sorry." "Emmanuelle, I'm afraid she has two broken ribs." "Of course, you've no idea who it was?" "You want to go the same way as the others:" "In a dumpster or in a garbage bag?" "They stashed money away, that's why." " Like it's normal, right?" " No." "I'm scared." " Coffee?" " To hell with your coffee!" "Emmanuelle won't always keep an eye on you." " I rat on them and then what?" " Don't start that again." " Police protection and new ID" " And I'll live on...?" "I know where your money goes." " Nadia said she'd go into rehab." " Rehab my ass!" " Shit, mind your language!" " Being hit is better?" "Damn it, their names and we can fuck these assholes up." " And everything will end up OK?" " Take her word for it." "If I bring some sort of contract with the right stamps and signatures, what do you say?" " I want a lawyer to check it out." " Agreed." "Appointed by the court?" "A real shyster." "So?" "That's OK." " Any coffee going?" " Here you go." " What's wrong?" " Nothing." "I'm sick of your ultimatums!" "I'm sick of going around in circles on this case..." "OK, I know." "We'll trace the whole network." "We'll get names, addresses, hideaways, the works!" "Through Nadia?" "She's really ready." " Your insight again." " Cut the sarcasms." "She's pretty demanding." "Not considering the lives we may spare." " We'll see." " Be quick about it!" "This is not the United States." "It's not as easy as that!" "I have to report back to my bosses." "The Ministry's close by!" "I'll get back to you ASAP, how's that?" "We said it all?" "Good work, don't you think?" "Good work Barsac." "Now he's on edge." "He's on our backs to get us to solve minor cases, now this is really big and he's being finicky." " What you doing this weekend?" " What I usually do." " You never go to the movies?" " I can't focus on movies." " Is that so?" " Not on books either." "Not even books?" "Don't look at me like I'm a moron." "I always need real-life experiences." "Emmanuelle?" "Pick up the phone I'll know you're there, looking at your files." "Listen, I've been thinking." "I'd better talk to my wife." "You're right, but the silly thing is..." "I can't sleep far away from my kids." "If we split up, she gets the kids." "I know I go over the same things over and over again..." "You're damn right." "Sometimes, I imagine..." "You'll think I'm crazy..." "My kids, you and me, sleeping in your bed." "Right!" "Enough now!" " Where's the date of publication?" " At the end?" "Anyway, Les Convulsions de Paris, it's 1854." "You know the date, why check then?" "I know what I mean." " Help me cut the lamb instead." " I'll do it Mom." "Always on his side!" " Did you talk to me?" " Sure, you're deaf!" "You don't look too well." " I have no make-up on." " Pity." "What do you think?" "I think a romantic ribbed binding makes you hungry." " Your dad wants to sell his books." " First I have to make an inventory." " What do you mean?" " An inventory." " I'll list everything." " You know every title by heart." "We thought it would be a good idea." "We found a cottage near Etretat." " Well, you found it." " I didn't know." "How exciting!" "Wait." "Your father hasn't kissed all his novels goodbye." "Don't say novels, please." "You'll come visit, won't you?" "You'll even spend weekends." "Your kids-to-come will play on the beach." "Oh, your sister's pregnant." " Which one?" " Sylvie." " It's her third kid?" " No, Nathalie's her third." "Aren't there enough kids?" "Last Tuesday, we were at the supermarket." " I think I saw Alain." " And?" "Nothing, it wasn't him, just someone who looked like him." "But I almost said hello." " Do you know what he's up to?" " No." "Too bad, you were a perfect match." "And an engineer too." "Right." "Shall we have coffee in the living room?" " How come you've lost touch?" " I don't know!" "It's only because I worry about you!" " Bye, Dad." " Goodbye, honey." " Emmanuelle, the left-over lamb!" " Bye, Mom." "Bye, honey, see you next Sunday." "Don't leave it in there!" "No, not this time." "Waste of time!" "Why do I have to get stuck with this?" " I understand, M'am but..." " It's not M'am but Miss." "No, not Miss, captain." "Captain." " Morning." " Good morning, captain." "So?" "Suicide." "Sleeping pills." "They don't work with me." "Should try that dose if you're insomniac." "I gave you some Rhohypnol last time." "She's skinny, isn't she?" "Anorexic." "Did she leave a note?" "A policeman gave me a notebook, a sort of diary found under her pillow." "Nobody heard anything?" "Nothing." "Seems she didn't go out much lately." "Suicide, then?" "She must've swallowed the whole tube last night." "Skinny as she was, why choose suicide?" " Any relatives?" "Any close friends?" " We're still looking." " You want to try my pills?" " Why not?" "Take this, I have a tube left." "Goodbye." "Tuesday, May 6th." "He took me to the Pavillon du Lac again." "Fancy restaurant in the Parc Montsouris." "He kept his hand on mine most of the time." "He kissed me when he saw me home." "Never suggests a nightcap." "Should I make the first move?" "Thursday, June 25th." "We went to Honfleur." "Pretty and simple like our story." "Stayed in a hotel near the port." "Went to sea in a fishing boat." "Monday, July 7th." "Haven't heard from him." "The voice on the answering machine is no longer his." "Tonight, I thought I'd seen him." "I'm pretty sure it was him, trying to tell me something... without being able to." "My love, since I've known you, everything fades away around me." "Working, shopping or talking to other people makes no sense." "All I do with my time is think of you." "There must be a place on earth which is ours." "Where our language is spoken, where being together is enough." "Now the world seems noisy, vulgar and useless." "I want to see but your face." "I'd like to drown with you, to melt together in our love." "Can you say that?" "The guy over there is Khostadinov." "Andre'i' Khostadinov." " He puts the new girls to work." " So?" "Now, they're talking soccer." "It must be a code:" "Players' numbers, number of goals, everything." "Fatso drinks like a fish." "It's Vladimir Hadji." "In charge of punishments and hit-men." "Here comes a fourth guy!" "But it's our old pal Godeaul" "One-armed bandits." " He runs the business with Keibali." " And the Bulgarians?" "Some deal or other." "They'll help him get rid of Keibali." "What's it about?" "Godeau says he's reserved a tennis court." "It's the sports section or what?" "They mentioned Nastase and Tiriac." "Two bigwigs, apparently." "Check with Interpol to make sure." "They were Romanian tennis players." "Not again!" "We're in for more crying." " They insisted on seeing you." " Where's the trainee?" " Training." "Maybe with a patrol." " All right." " OK, try the usual trick." " Don't worry." " I'm listening." " First, thanks for seeing us, M'am." "Miss." "You're welcome." " Wasn't like other suicides." " But it was a suicide." "She means Genevieve was caught up in a sort of spiral." "She had no reason to end up like that." "She was lively and all." "She had a good job and friends." "She must have been manipulated." "The forensic's positive." "She did it of her own free will." "There's nothing suspect about it." "But you can't change so quickly, M'am." "Quit your job, drop your friends, your parents, give up all make-up and lose sixty pounds." "Look, this is my daughter." "Only six months ago." "Excuse me." "All right." "I'm coming." "Send me a car." "I'll do my best to reopen the case." " Do you mind if we call you back?" " Please do." "Find the bastard who put ideas into her head." " Did you know him?" " We never saw him." "She didn't introduce him?" "Never." "Video cameras don't solve anything." "We'll get them anyway." "Take door codes, for example, they're all over the place." " Suicide case, I heard?" " Where were you?" "The trainee told me for the girl." "Sad story." "I came across a similar case two months ago:" "It was incredible, she was so terribly skinny." " It was a horrible sight." " A suicide too?" "Just like yours:" "She downed sleeping pills." "Are you interested?" "Two weeks!" "Nadia!" "Get in, quick!" "I said two weeks." "Waste of time." "The decision's made." "No more risks." "But we had a deal!" "You're not negotiating with a pusher." "Your life's at stake!" "I've learnt not to trust anyone." "Especially cops." "Including me?" "Thanks for seeing me so soon." " I wasn't expecting your call." " Some coffee?" " I'd rather have a beer." " Non-alcoholic." "Coffee then." "No sugar." "Please sit down." "Your parents left Paris?" "Yes, they never really got over it." "Everybody tends to feels guilty." "She was a student?" "Quite an A-student." "Political science." "She was gifted for everything." "More so than I am!" "She was warm, pretty and nice." "On the phone, you mentioned some guy." "After she met him, it wasn't the same anymore." " Did you know him?" " Never saw him." "Usually, I met all her boyfriends." "Before him, she never used to hide things from me." "Talking about him got her elated!" "What did she say exactly?" "Passion!" "Nothing else mattered in her eyes." "Then one thing led to another." "Which means?" "She vanished out of her own existence." "At least, that's how I felt about it." "She gave up studying, her family, you name it." "You didn't ask her why?" "Actually, we figured it was going to fade away." "It all went so fast, too fast to understand." "Why do you want to know?" "It's not as if my sister had been murdered." "Do you have anything that belonged to her?" "My parents took everything." "I kept what the police gave me back." "Books, notes." "They're in a box." "Can I see them?" "Have you read it?" "Couldn't finish it." "It feels like a countdown." "Can I borrow it?" "Sure, if you want to." "Emmanuelle, it's me again." "You can't leave me this way." "I can't work anymore." "Listen, I swear I'm going to tell my wife." "I definitely want to live with you." "Damn itl You can't just dump me like that." "Last time, it jammed." "I can't get anything to work." "It's easy as pie, though." "Fax this to Interpol, OK?" " What is it?" " About the two girls." "The anorexic girls?" "What d'you want to know?" "Send the photos, the forensic scientists' report, to see if they've had anything similar lately." " In Paris?" " Yes, Strasbourg and Marseilles!" "Why this sudden rush of adrenaline?" "Just a hunch." " Right." "Your intuition." " Give me a break!" "The bastards can play!" "How much longer is it going to last?" "First game, second set 30-15." " 30-15?" "Is it coded or what?" " 40-15." "No it's the score." "We've been after them for months and nothing." "Zilch." "They don't know they're being tailed." "Can't fool them but they've ways of fooling us." "Well, let them enjoy the fresh air." "Shit!" "Just Khostadinov who's gone up to the net." "40-30." "Are the chocolates any good?" "Not chocolates, macaroons." " Hi Miss!" " Still here?" " You haven't had enough?" " I spend less time here than you!" "Right." "It's always the same story." "Family and friends say:" "No problems until her life topples over, she gives up her life, loses weight, ends up downing sleeping pills." "They did it because they were heart-broken." "And the same person broke those hearts, no doubt." "So the dozen Interpol cases would lead to the same Prince Charming?" "I read both diaries and it's almost the same story!" "Chance encounter, then same gift:" "An old edition of Tristan and Isolde." "He gets to see them again, takes them er... to the Pavillon du Lac, Parc Montsouris." "After that, they take a walk around Paris, and then, Honfleur." "Why Honfleur?" "Why not?" "Charming place, Honfleur." "They make plans watching the sea, the hotel feels like a desert island." "After the weekend, they're in love... with Tristan, because he's absolutely unique." "His name's Tristan?" "Let's call him Tristan." "After a while, things go wrong." "No more letters." "Yes, he writes letters." "Some sort of literature they seem crazy about, they're really addicted to it." "Then, he vanishes in to thin air." "Days later, he comes back and he's even more in love and, get this now, says their love is incompatible with everyday life." "He wants sacrifices, separations." "So the poor soul buys it all, stops seeing parents and friends." "She's lost." " Why do that deliberately?" " I'll find out why." "I now have to deal with a sicko who drove women to suicide." " Wait a minute!" " No!" "There are too many coincidences that match up." "How come nobody ever saw him, except the victims?" "Or that he never leaves any trace?" "And the letters?" "Without the diaries, I wouldn't know." "If you're right, it'll be hard to prove." "There was an almost scientific intention to destroy other people." "I'd talk to an expert in criminal psychopathology." "They know their way around wackos." "They're profilers." "That's not a bad idea." "Anyway, this case is just between you and me." "Something between us, at last." "I really want to keep the case." "Hey, do you want to go for a drink?" "Not tonight." "I'm bushed and I need to be alone." " It's Jeanlain beer." " Vintage beer?" "It's my favorite." "You drink out of the bottle?" "Like I have a choice!" "I took a close look at your case." "We're dealing with a sociopath." "A serial killer." "Serial killer?" "No knife or ax, no evisceration, decapitation or rape, but a serial killer all the same." "His weapon is a love story which ends tragically." "Tristan, as you call him, walls up his victims in a perverse scenario." "Like all serial killers, he has a particular modus operandi:" "A romantic route which borders on lunacy, a ritual whose steps he crosses out." "One by one." "Morbid treasure hunt." "In other words, he's the gaoler of the love story he stages and there's no way out whatsoever." "His prey is trapped in a fusional relationship." "Fusional relationship?" "Passion is a pathology, you're alone in the world." "Listen to this:" "Interestingly enough..." "Anorexia plays a peculiar role here." "Tristan and his victims may not have had sex at all." "How's that possible?" "He condemns these women's bodies to death." "The punishment for their desires is having their flesh waste away." "Most serial killers aren't capable of having normal sexual relations." "Actually..." "Sex makes us wild and loving at the same time." "Excuse me." "Sexual frustration is his strategy to weaken his victims." "Monastic withdrawal." "Your Tristan suggests suicide instead." "Like in some sects recently." "He's a guru." "He sells an everlasting love story whose apotheosis is a double suicide and he gets out at the last minute." "And that particular moment is... the ultimate macabre climax, the pleasure he wants." "He's a degenerate!" "A sociopath." "He's dangerous because he fits well into society." "Unlike psychopaths, who have impulses and thus make tons of mistakes." "You have to hate women to do that." "Ah, womanizers are always suspicious." "Don Juan humiliates, drives to despair." "Be on your guard!" "Anyway, Emmanuelle, thanks to you, my first original case in 20 years." "My US colleagues will be green with envy." "Any suggestions on how to nail him?" "Or what he looks like?" "As long as he's at large, there's no end to it." "The diaries gave you his itineraries and rituals." "Go ask around:" "Cafes, vintage bookstores which sell copies of Tristan and Isolde." "Do what cops usually do and keep me posted." "You've met your match." "It won't be an easy fight." " So, what's up?" " Zilch!" "Nothing with the waiters at the Pavillon." "The boss says he sees lovers all the time, so no description!" "It figures." "And the bookstores?" "They're depressing and I got allergic to dust." "Why do people want old books and not paperbacks?" "Beats me!" "Booksellers all look like my dad." "And for you?" "Nothing either." "They're taking us for a ride while the business is being run by other guys." " We'd need to watch all the girls." " And Nadia?" "She's been off the street for a week now." "You're telling me now?" "She may be sick, she'll be back tomorrow." "What a retard!" "Retard, me?" "I land all the boring jobs while you do some sightseeing around Paris." "All right!" "I remember back in my home town" "There was a girl named Lucille" "Just like that rock music oldie" "But her heart was hard as stone" "I'd write her a dozen letters a day" "I love you and I'll love you always" "My illusions met but one answer:" "No, no, no" " I'm disturbing you, I hope." " No." "Some interior decorator you are!" "Swedish furniture." "DIY delivered to your door." " Got a coat stand?" " What for?" " Turn it off, we have to talk." " It's Jonasz." "I know but we have to talk." "Anything to drink?" "Vodka." "Don't you have any?" "I do." " What happened to your ankle?" " Sprained." " Getting out of the hideout." " Dummy." " The bar's DIY too." " Nice work!" " Do you know why I've come?" " You missed me?" " I saw him!" " Who?" "I saw Tristan." "Is he for real?" "Yes." "He's dating Nadia." " Unbelievable!" " It is, isn't it?" "I'd been on the watch for a whole hour, and here she comes out with this dreamboat." " Is he cute?" " From a distance, yes." " And closer?" " Did you expect me to take a photo?" "They take a cab, drive across Paris and guess what?" "He takes her to the Pavillon du Lac!" "You're kidding!" "Is something burning?" "Damn!" "My omelet!" "Late dinner, isn't it?" "I've just got back." "The Bulgarians." "Who's on the picture?" " My ex and my kids." " Your kids?" "Classic:" "I take them to Disneyland every other weekend." "I didn't know you were married." "You never asked." "So?" "They stayed there almost 2 hours." "Did you eat there?" "No, I was sitting on a bench." "You know, near the bandstand." "The longer I watched, the more I thought:" "It's him." "I knew what he was up to with his smiles, his endless silences, gazing into her eyes exactly like in the diaries." "And then?" "Nothing." "After that, cab back across Paris," "He kissed her good night and no nightcap." " That's all?" " Yes." "I tailed him to his place nearby, rue Rozier." "The light went on on the first floor." "On the mailboxes, I saw a woman's name and a Vincent Madral." "Now I have to play it right." "Can I sleep on the couch?" "Too late to go home." "Sure but take my bed instead." "The couch is a fakir's dream." "No way, the bed's for you." "So much for being a gentleman!" "That's an ad for Amnesty!" " We're running out of patience." " He's totally harmless!" "That's all you have to say?" "He's a friend, a neighbor." "We have coffee together every day." "What about the Pavillon du Lac?" "Manu playing cop!" "Stop saying Manu or it's the can!" "Did you follow us to the restaurant?" " Were you inside or outside?" " No, the bench near the bandstand." " Don't do that again to me!" " Emmanuelle, I swear, the guy's just great!" "I know it when I see a bad one." "I gave his name and address." "For the rest, count me out." "No way!" "Do as you're told." "Say you want to see him and I'll go." "Don't boss me around!" "Stop it!" "Hey, cool it!" "Can you get me some ice cubes?" "You guys are snooping experts!" "OK, I'm sorry." "All right." "Sure, what I told you may sound weird." "But you're just like the others:" "You trust him, find him great." "Are you in love yet?" "Me, in love with a guy?" "I thought he could help me get my dope." " Sure." " I don't know, whores may turn him on, why not?" "By the way, I thought about our deal." "Yes, but you'll have to wait a little." "The longer the trip, the heavier the luggage." "But I promised." "But wait..." " I saw it coming!" " I doubt it." "Forget about the Bulgarians." "See?" "No risks." "So it would be all advantages and no drawbacks?" "The dough, the passport and you do what you want." "In exchange for?" " You're full of shit!" " Yes or no?" "Yes, of course." "Now, it's only you and me!" "Come here slut!" " Hey, I'm a cop!" " Shut up!" "You're in trouble!" " Shut the fuck up." " What you want?" " Is it bad?" " No, it's OK." "There's just a lot of blood." " Did you know him?" " Not at all." "With shady business, there are fights all the time." "He wanted cash?" "I guess." "What you did was great though." "Excuse me." "Yes, hello." "Four thirty, at the bookstore, OK." "See you tomorrow." " I'm embarrassed." "Can I help?" " No thank you." "Take my number, just in case." " Why not?" " Take it!" "She might be a wealthy heiress." " I doubt it!" " Did you call the police?" "What for?" "They're useless." " How much is it?" " I get it!" "Nothing." "You'd deserve a medal!" " What's your first name?" " Vincent." "Go ahead, ask him for his phone number!" "Why not?" "See you soon then?" "I'm doing research on courtly love." "Tristan and Isolde in paperback." "What a shame!" "Can I see you home in a cab?" "Thanks, I'd rather be alone." "Men like him are few and far between." "I liked his eyes." " Give me his number." " Pardon me?" "I want this number." "It's an order!" "Thank you." " He's here." " Who?" "He just said he wanted to report a missing person." "When he said Nadia, it clicked." " She's gone again?" " We're looking." "He volunteered his name and address." "Madral Vincent, 9 rue Rozier." " What about his job?" " He's a vintage book dealer." "He buys old books he sells back to booksellers." "His business is in order." "Landru had a legit ID too." "Doesn't look like a serial killer to me." "If they were like him, we'd be out of work." "Ted Bundy, the US serial killer was a college prof." "That's the problem with sociopaths." "Sociopath?" " What happened to your nose?" " Nothing." "Want to see him?" "No, someone take his report and send him home." "He sentenced himself to this behavior." "He's Prince Charming all along." "No wonder he helped you." "He looked for Nadia all afternoon." "He was worried, like any lover." "Not about Nadia but about a prey slipping away." "A whore with a drug problem, what a boon!" "He's the hero who'll take her off the streets and wean her off drugs only to get her addicted to something else." "He knows how to pick the right person, the right context." "He'll never try anything with you." "You're strong, balanced, impervious to passion." "How do you know?" "Don't be upset but you can't inspire passion." "Reasonable, sarcastic." "Men can feel it." "You wouldn't buy their lovey-dovey stuff." "I shouldn't be upset?" "I was kinda praising your truthfulness." "Praising!" " Shall I get some beer?" " No, thanks." "The cop in me can feel something wrong though." "I'll get some beer." "I'm listening." "This morning, he reported Nadia missing." "He gave his real identity." "What?" " That's annoying." " Why?" "Why?" "Let's consider this option:" "Tristan may not know about the mess he creates." "I don't get it." "He may not know about the suicides." "Nonsense!" "Wait, Emmanuelle." "Here's what I think:" "Tristan is a Prince Charming who lives for women." "And they fall for it, he's so true to type." " He's picture-perfect!" " Stop interrupting me!" "Can I have a sip?" "Out of my bottle?" "I'll get you one." "Don't bother." "OK, go ahead." "He's Prince Charming, not Don Juan, not a womanizer." "He's earnestly looking for Ms. Right." "Isolde." "But his lovers fall head over heels for him and leave no room for his love." "He's locked up in his disguise or their fantasies." "So, he's condemned to eternal wandering." "That's it?" "He vanishes and the girls commit suicide." "Not all of them." "You identified a dozen victims." "Out of how many?" "The more vulnerable couldn't take it." "The others may even be married now." "How d'you explain anorexia?" "I said there were two hypotheses." "I prefer the first one." "I don't." "Jerome, where's Barsac?" "I saw her walk towards the cells." "You're here?" "What's wrong with your office?" " Meet Nico, an old acquaintance." " Captain!" " Nice to meet you." " Nadia's disappeared." " Don't worry, I know where she is." " Really?" "Time for her to take a break." " Did she talk?" " She's OK." "Meaning?" "I'll put it down on paper and you'll have my report." " I'm glad to hear that." " Well done!" "Are you coming out or spending the night there?" "I'm coming." "Don't worry." "I'll lock up." " Hello?" " Ah, it's you?" "Am I disturbing?" "Are you busy tonight?" "Are you done?" "No, but watching a pools game for 5 hours is boring." "Especially without you around." "Is that an invitation to dinner?" "Can't afford the Pavillon." "So we could have dinner at my place." "Been there, right?" "Don't make a habit of it." "I'll change clothes first." " See you then." " See you." " She must be a great lay!" " A killer!" "There'll be fireworks!" " You'll ask for mercy!" " Bye, Cadoret." "Too bad!" " Cut the crap, OK?" " Careful with your family jewels!" "She's a police chief." "Midnight's just struck" "Let's do the Madison" "She holds her own" "Something wrong?" "You're astounding." "You look..." "Like a woman?" "Yes, like a woman!" "We pick him up, rough him up a bit." "Exit Tristan." "For him, 48 hours in police custody is no big deal." "We have to get him red-handed." "How?" "He hasn't stolen anything or killed anyone." "I want to tear his system apart, track him down all the way." "Keep up with his love story live, from A to Z." "Might take time with Nadia missing." "He'll find another target soon enough." " Funny we waited so long!" " For what?" "Well, this." "Us together." "I didn't wait." "You did!" "Damn it:" "Always protecting yourself." "Even being treated sweetly gets on your nerves." "Even compliments." "What's with you all?" "The shrink and now you." "Aren't you worried about Nadia missing?" "She took the envelope and the dough." "You gave her everything?" "So they're done for?" " No, don't tell me..." " Fuck off!" "You know what you're in for?" "The boss watching all your moves." "I can write a phoney report and say Nadia lied." "You can rely on me." "You look good." "Right, Dad?" "Of course she looks good." "A little lipstick and there you have it!" "How's your inventory going?" "Going along fine." "Every book is a memory." "I found the book I got the day before your birth." "The very same day!" "I was in labor and he was still buying books!" "The night before!" "I pencilled the date in." "I kept it for you." "Can't believe it!" "When?" "Shit." "I'm coming." "Sorry, I'm off." "Some problems at work." "Do what you have to do." "I'll call you later." "You forgot the lamb!" "Thank you." " See you next Sunday." " Bye Mom." "It'll be left in the car again." "No return ticket with what she put in her veins." "Her arms are bruised." "Wasn't she coerced into it?" "The bruises around the wrists?" "It might be the shots." "She was used to shooting up." " I don't buy the overdose." " An execution?" "They're not that subtle." "Why would they change?" " There's no money around." " Talk about a motive!" "Maybe she'd had it." "There's no more radical way to get rid of drugs." "What did the hotel staff say?" "Don't know." "I only get to talk to dead people." "The cops had the body sent to Paris." "Where was the hotel?" "In Honfleur." "Why wait to tell me?" " I wasn't asked." " Right!" "I don't expect corpses to talk!" "It's sad, not many showed up." "Only the neighbors." "Funny she never mentioned you." "I met her when she first arrived." "We were roommated." "She wanted to go into modelling." "Sorry for asking, were you two together?" "Nadia and me?" "She was a real loner." "Couldn't do much about it." "I see." "Here's my car." "Not the best occasion to see you again." "The first time wasn't so great either!" "Can't we try again?" "Sure, that's what I meant." "Well, I have your number." "Wait." "It's silly, but we could have lunch together." " I'm paying." " Why not?" "Promised, I'll call soon." " You have my number?" " I never lose anything." "All right then." "Good thing she was safe!" "Now she's gone." "She can't be safer, mind you." "What do I tell my boss?" "The witness is gone, the report is gone." " So is the money!" " How could I know she'd crack up?" "I thought she was your friend." "You kept telling me that." "It's my fault, Sir." "Barsac told me to keep an eye on her." "Why did you pick Honfleur of all places?" "Cadoret obeys my orders." "Honfleur was my idea." "I thought she'd like the seaside." "It's enough to put anyone off the seaside!" "If I'd been more careful, nothing'd have happened." " And Nadia would have talked." " What's funny?" "Now, it's back to watch duty and quick!" "Barsac, don't think you're off the hook." "You're off the case and stay away from the area." "Period." "It's you, Mom." "The lamb?" "I thought my car smelled funny." "No, it's the least of my worries." "No, there's no one with me." "I'll call you tomorrow, I've had a tough day." "See you on Sunday, say hi to Dad." "I feel terrible." "Can't you leave me alone?" "Didn't you get it last time?" "Do what you want, for all I care." "Is this a conspiracy or what?" "Set number 117, from Granville, Les Metamorphoses du jour," "Paris, pages missing and some maps damaged" "Starting price:" "Fifty euros." "Fifty euros, as it is..." "Fifty..." "Sixty..." "Eighty..." "Ninety..." "One hundred." "One hundred and ten... and twenty." "Two hundred and eighty, you give up?" "Yes, it's me." "Don't know, he keeps calling on his mobile." "Trace his call now!" "What?" "Are you sure?" "Four times?" "Each time, he said: "I want Barsac"" "He said it was personal." "He left a number." "Well, it beats me." "No goodbye?" "Oh well!" " Anything to drink?" " I'm not thirsty." " This is a cafe." " So what?" " What a coincidence!" " Are you following me?" " I swear I'm not." " Something to drink?" "Coffee please." "Two coffees!" "I have a gift for you." "You haven't forgotten me?" "Old books are mysterious." "They're like conjurors." " It's beautiful!" " Excuse me." "Hello?" "Can you tell me if Captain Barsac is back, please?" "He's never in." "Yes." "Thank you." "Good bye." " You were right." " About what?" " Cops:" "Never where they're needed." " Any problems?" "I wanted information about Nadia." "Are you free for lunch tomorrow?" "Tomorrow, yes." "Any particular place?" "He was cool as a cucumber the whole time." "When he saw the Pavillon du Lac, he didn't even blink." "Very naturally, he pretended he didn't know the place." "He seems to be challenging me." "He knows why I approached him." "I don't know how he could, really." "Don't let him manipulate you." "He's no genius, you know." "He talked about Nadia the whole time, never about me." "It hurts but I must admit all he said was beautiful." "You wish he'd said the same about you?" "I don't know." "I wish he'd paid more attention to me." "Once again, he'll never feel anything for a woman like you." "Or anybody else." "He's a cold-blooded monster." "I thought he might, but since Nadia died," "I've been convinced my first impression was right." "And he gave me that book." "The nerve!" "He may have done it on purpose." "If he has, he's really awful!" "Then we walked around the Parc Montsouris." "We sat down and watched the ducks and the swans." "The last straw was Punch and Judy afterwards!" "He asked me why I didn't like children." "Moron!" " So do you like children?" " That's not the point." "Then I drove him home." "End of story." "Handshake or kisses on both cheeks?" "He kissed me on both cheeks, I think." "Oh, come on!" "He shook my hand." "Unlike most men, he didn't offer a nightcap at his place." "That's more like it!" "It's all talk with you!" "I don't see no gifted profiler here!" "I thought you'd find the solution." "The solution!" "Like for crosswords?" "Tristan's a one-story screenwriter." "What you have to do is alter his scenario." "If you take him off course, he'll be vulnerable." "He'll lose his bearings and get mixed up." "But unknowingly you've already scored." "He's in terra incognita with you." "You're playing confidante." "Through Nadia's prism." "For the first time, he's not trying to seduce." "He doesn't even know it." "So he can take off his Prince Charming outfit." "That's what a down-to-earth relationship can do to him:" "Confront him with his insanity." "But be careful, if he loses his bearings or is kicked out of his own scenario, he'll be just another serial killer." "You might become his next target." "Do you know them all?" "Almost." "You have to in this line of work." "Want to run your own bookstore?" "I'd hate to be stuck waiting for customers." "I go here and there, I'm on the look-out." "With all the auctions in the country, you can move around." "Take the train there and back in a day." "It's your idea of fun?" "I like the game, the transaction, the freedom and books of course." " Do you read much?" " Not at all." "Loving books and reading them is not the same." "An old book's real story is its own." "The printed word is uninteresting." "Text is grey." "But the publication, the binder, the publisher, the gilding, the book's time travel, that's entrancing." "My father's exact words!" " He's a book-Iover?" " You can say that!" "All his books are up for sale." "What kind of books?" "Don't know." "Beautiful leather-bound books." "All teachers are alike:" "They don't care about books." "They're more into photocopies and paperbacks." "I'm not a teacher!" "You're writing a dissertation." "You must teach too." "Some courses here and there but I'd like to write." "Writing!" "It must be every teacher's dream." "But everything's been written!" "Would you like to see my dad's library?" "Sure, why not?" "Might be a good bargain." "We can have lunch with them next Sunday." "There's no choice." "Lunch is always on Sundays with them." "Christine!" " Hey, you look a bit low." " It's my mom." " Hospitalized again." " Oh no!" "It's serious then?" " It is, yes." " Care for coffee?" " Yes sure." " I'm coming back." "I'm going to keep her company, just in case." "Is it OK?" "I'll see you on Sunday anyway." " I need their address." " Oh, that's right." " Got a piece of paper?" " Here." "There you are." "Now tell me about it." "Daddy?" "What's it now?" "I'm calling you!" "OK, I'm coming." " See how nervous she is?" " Well, he's late, isn't he?" "I knew it!" "The lipstick was a telltale!" "As usual, you were right." "Pay attention for once, it's about her future." "Let her take care of her future and no blunders about her job." "There's nothing to be ashamed of, really." "Is that all you have to tell me?" "Get the leg of lamb out of the oven." "That's what I thought." "Not hungry?" " You're not leaving yet?" " Something's wrong." "He must have been kept back." "Give her a break." "Pass me the wine." "Well, I'm off." "Wait." "Take some lamb." "Stop it with your lamb!" "Seems to be a tough cookie, this guy." "She is too." " Please, do come in!" " Tristan's split." " Tough luck." " What?" "Second fall..." "I can't get a hold of him." "Tomorrow, I'll report him missing." "No need to." "You know where he is." " Which means?" " You read the diaries, didn't you?" "You're bloody smart!" "I take your car, it's faster." "Enough now!" "I don't believe this guy!" "What the hell?" "So much for the shrink's frustration theory!" " I don't like this a bit!" " Neither do I." " Get up!" " What you want?" "Your wife?" "Shut up!" "Get dressed and split." "You stay, Tristan." " Tristan?" " Yeah." "What's it to you?" "What you doing?" " You must be Barsac." " Bingo!" "Leave the bag!" "I know why you're here." "You want the list?" " What list?" " Nadia gave it to me." "It was to go to Barsac if..." "Let me see." "You didn't tell me." "I thought you were into medieval literature!" " Ah, it's her!" " Shut up!" "Don't raise your voice!" "You thought I was a pimp or a dealer?" "What's this all about?" "Get dressed." "Why was Nadia found in Honfleur?" "She was here too?" "So you jump them all here?" "Now I know what to do:" "I take you off a case and you solve it before I put someone else on it." "Congratulations." "Look at Cadoret." "He sniffles over trifles now." "He's on edge." "He looks good with a beard." "It was too beautiful a dream to be true." "He's a two-bit skirtchaser." "He's a big-time womanizer." "Should've shown him the shots of the girls." "It would have hurt you more." "Plus some people are suicidal." "He just acted as a trigger, a pretext." "Nobody can be held responsible for that." "Why tell me now and not earlier?" "I bought your story." " Aren't you happy about the arrests?" " It all made sense:" "The restaurant, the letters, Honfleur..." "I was ready to give a lecture about your case." "Pick it up." "I don't feel like it." "Damn it!" "Who's that?" "Say something for God's sake!" "What can I say to make him understand?" " No make-up today?" " Am I allowed in?" "I'm not selling my books right now." "I knew he'd back down!" "Me?" "Never!" "I've never done that once!" "Calm down." "You don't have to sell them all." "Collectors end up selling part of their collections and keep a few items;" "the most valuable for them, like the last word or the final clue." "Can't agree more!" " He wants you to sell." " You're so negative." "Conditioned by your job." " What have I said?" " Don't worry," "Vincent knows." "She finally told you!" "I kind of found out." "See, it's no disgrace." " More lamb?" " I'll do it." "He cuts it up in thin slices." "It makes a change!" "Take it with you otherwise she'll leave it in there." "See you next Sunday?" " Let them be!" " For the books at least." " I think you convinced him." " OK, Mom, we're leaving." " He's nice." "Very nice." " And he likes books!" "Nobody's perfect!" "Hey!" "It's been ages!" " I didn't count the days!" " Once a soldier..." "My apologies may take some time." "No, I overreacted." " I threatened you with a gun!" " Loaded?" "Loaded." "Do I look like a gangster?" "Gangsters never look the part." "Those who get caught are just losers." "That first night, were you following me?" "Are you mad at me?" "It's part of your job." "Was the mugger for real or not?" "For real." "Put the lamb in there, before it stains you." "Insomnia?" "What a fool I've been!" "Let's start all over again." " You think we can?" " Yes." "Nadia, was it an accident?" "With overdoses, you can't be sure." "Are you staying here?" "What a cock-and-bull story!" "Call the crime squad, they know who I am." " What can we do anyway?" " How stubborn!" "Let's find her!" " If not, it'll be a tragedy." " All right!" "I can't get in touch with Cadoret." "They're two of a kind!" "I was mistaken all along." "From day one." "Me too, if it makes you feel better." " Are you OK?" " Yes." "It's going a little too fast." "Is that bad?" " Do you often come here?" " Sometimes." "Thank you." "Your have room number 27." "I left something in the car." "I'll be right back." "Do you like it?" "Yes, it's beautiful." " What's wrong?" " It'll never work out." " We have nothing in common." " What's wrong with me?" "No, it's even simpler." "You're shaking!" "Does this ring a bell?" "The sleeping pills." "Is that what you did with the others?" "A kiss and sleeping pills down their throats?" " Give me the pills!" " What pills?" "The tube was full." "You killed them all." "Evelyne and Genevieve." "Skin and bone they were." "You forgot they kept diaries." "The Pavillon du Lac and Honfleur point to you." "I don't know who they are." "Nadia liked the Pavillon du Lac and Honfleur is for work." "Wednesday and Saturday are auction days." "I keep the receipts." "Why is that?" "Tax purposes." "Freeze!" "Why did you make up such a sleazy story?" "And there were the copies of Tristan and Isolde." "It was a very popular 19th century edition." "You should find out why your pills are gone." " What do you mean?" " Think about it." "I'm leaving now." "Let's say goodbye." "My name's Vincent." "Tristan's portrait was in fact Emmanuelle's." "Each time, she tried to get closer to her own truth." "The case was her own story in fact." "She was the predator." "Her story, the mirror image of Tristan's." "And unknowingly, I fueled her obsession." "He was public enemy number one for women." "A cold-blooded monster she alone understood." "But who killed the young women after all?" "Are you stupid?" "Nobody was murdered." "All love stories are alike." "Even those with a sorry end." "Trips, dinner dates, strolls, letters, breakups..." "Everything!" "Even suicides!" "Who's that?" "Damn it, say something!" "We'll have a swimming pool installed, for the kids." "It's her idea." "What d'you think?" "Good idea." "There's some color back in your cheeks." "Why don't you stay?" "Mom, stop it!" "I wouldn't object." "If you don't mind." " Are you serious?" " Why?" "Were you just being polite?" "There's some left." "I'll have some more!" "Well, I was going to wait until after lunch to give you this." "It's for me?" "Unwrap it." "Did you see your birthdate pencilled in on the flyleaf?" "And your Mom was right." "Adaptation:" "Ruth Alimi" "Sous-titrage:" "Eclair Video"