Criminal: France (2019) s01e02 Episode Script

A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES Your jewellery and hair barrettes in the tray.
It's 21:11, the interview begins in the presence of Captain Hagen and Brigadier Matif.
Ms.
Solal, you're being held for attempted murder.
Telephone.
Legion of Honour badge.
Tell me what happened.
Were you worried they would refuse to work? Construction would stop? We're going to sit for 24 hours.
That's long.
- He's a good bluffer.
- He's not bluffing.
One day, he sat in front of a guy for 16 hours before he started to open up.
The old boss loved it.
Good luck.
She looks tough.
Shit, she's got such arrogance.
You're prepared? That's the new thing.
Big bosses are coached by their lawyers in case they're taken into custody.
What do they teach you? I'm really intrigued.
How to breathe a little more? To focus on your interrogator, like me? And to push workers off buildings, did you learn that yourself, yeah? - Is your tone really necessary? - Counsellor.
You shouldn't presume to speak to me like that.
Presume away.
Testimonies state this man had a public confrontation with you.
Was he threatening to your position? Let's consider the presumption of innocence for now.
I'd rather concentrate on the facts.
Right, let's talk sensibly for a moment.
Yes, I was there on site, but in my office replying to emails, 100 metres from where it happened.
Do you have any witnesses? Your colleagues collected me from there and demanded that I present myself.
They didn't mention anyone else? That's true.
I was alone, doing the planning.
Why were you not in your office in the 8th arrondissement? Because I'm a woman that leads by example.
The construction necessitated that I be there.
If you would, just imagine the creation of an office tower block.
Pouring concrete into blocks 110m.
up and right in the middle of La Défense.
Imagine the debris, the mess, the pollution.
Even at night? It's a project worth 100 million euros, one that we're already nine weeks late on.
So yes, the hours add up.
But I'm not alone.
There would be hundreds of telephones in this sector, no? Given the altitude, there's only one tower in the relay.
At the time of the fall only 19 people were present.
The alibis of everyone else.
Unlike you, they were a group.
So my first question is simple: was it you who pushed Walid Benaoud? Your insinuations are ridiculous.
If I battled to get rid of everyone who criticised me, there probably wouldn't be many left.
Would you like to talk about other cases? You've no idea what I've had to face in order to clamber up the ladder in a man's world.
I've always been denigrated, just like you're attempting to do.
So honestly, a conflict doesn't faze me.
And I just don't believe in using force for people to respect me.
Violence happens as a last resort We can surprise ourselves by our own reactions.
That's why I go back to only the facts.
So let's discuss just facts.
Apart from your assumption of my guilt, an alleged telephone and your routine of misogynist rhetoric, do you have anything concrete? But I'm just trying to comprehend.
Your attempts to manipulate me are pathetic.
The truth is, you don't have anything.
I love it when Olivier lets them think they've won a point.
She'll never confess.
That's the boss's syndrome.
They always have trouble admitting when it's their fault.
Yet, it feels good to admit it.
It's a relief.
Only if you are guilty, obviously.
On that note, for the last time, it wasn't me who leaked the info about Laetitia's sick leave, OK? Is it possible to know how he's doing? Turns out we have something concrete, all right.
Our police colleagues noticed at the site where the victim slipped, the safety rails had been removed.
You suppose that he was pushed? Not only that, but with the rails removed we think it was premeditated.
I repeat, nothing to do with me.
I'd love to believe you.
The problem is, our colleagues also found this had been left there.
Don't you think it strange that one of my barrettes was found just next to where it happened? The term I was thinking of was "relevant.
" For goodness' sake.
Evidently, someone is trying to frame me, force me to come in here to explain myself to you.
Are people out to get you, Madame Solal? Success creates and motivates hostility, especially when you're a woman.
Getting me accused of this crime means someone else could take my place.
A lot of people are impatient to see that happen.
Are you thinking of anyone in particular? My competitors.
One specific ex-worker, a brilliant engineer but a chauvinist who's irreparable.
- "Ex"? - Yes, I dealt with it rapidly.
He caused an atmosphere of volatility.
You don't like people questioning you.
You neither, apparently.
From what I've read, you have a reputation of total authority.
That's often how people deal with taking orders from a woman.
Hmm! It's clear to me, somebody managed to get in, push one of my men and somehow get me as the one who is accused.
You've got a great imagination, but our colleagues have watched the video surveillance tapes and they have confirmed that no one broke in.
Well I don't know.
As for the barrette, I went out on site this morning to motivate the team to ask them to speed up.
I must have lost it then.
Please can you tell me how he is? Why are you so insistent about that? It surprises you, my interest in his condition? What's she doing? Trying to make us think she gives a shit about her workers? It's not that.
She's afraid that he'll be able to speak.
Make sure he's dead before giving her version.
It's possible.
How do I know you aren't asking just to make sure he can't talk and point the finger? I understand.
Would you keep us updated, should anything change? Sure, thanks.
All right.
He went into surgery two hours ago.
They managed to stop the bleeding.
So there's hope, but his life is still in danger.
Hold on.
You're not going to let her know? No, not yet.
I'd rather give her the chance to explain.
Or he'll say he's probably going to be fine.
So she thinks he might speak, then she can't risk making anything up? Yeah, smart.
Or that he's dead.
Because that way she won't be as careful, and you can get her on a detail.
Except that would jeopardise the investigation.
Your call, Audrey.
I can't take the risk.
We'll hold onto it as a bargaining chip.
She seems determined, and for now it's our only leverage.
Let's go.
What are we waiting for? I'm not prepared to say more until I know how he is.
I'll find out, but I'd like you to explain why you're so interested.
You question my concern and empathy, don't you? It might be hard to understand but I liked him, that's all.
There are plenty of people against me, but him I don't see anyone on his team that would want to kill him.
Why's that? I suppose he's always reliable, jovial.
And appreciated by his fellow colleagues.
What are the rebar workers? Those who prepare and assemble the framework that the concrete is poured around.
It's the part of the concrete we reinforce for strength, and Walid Benaoud was recently promoted to foreman.
She knows him.
So he's known to you? Not specifically, no.
But as you've already said, he opposes me in public.
It's difficult to ignore.
See you researched what his co-workers thought of him, to stay one step ahead, perhaps, to I don't know to make sure he didn't become a nuisance? I did not push him.
She's touching her mouth.
She's hiding something.
Did you get that from your manuals? And how do your books say to break that fucking sense of impunity she gives off? OK, so you didn't push him.
Who do you think was responsible? You describe a man who gets along with everyone except for you.
Yes, generally, yes, but tension often exists between the different teams.
The people who pour the concrete are always upset with the Rebar team.
- The framework isn't ready? - Exactly, or the formwork.
- That's another team? - Yes, they're the form workers.
They prepare the moulds where the concrete is poured.
Sometimes there's tension, but to actually kill each other? - I have a hard time believing that.
- Yes, me too.
I continue to believe that it was you who pushed him.
Can we get back to the facts, please? Remember, you have the right to remain silent.
No, on the contrary, I'll speak.
Mr.
Hagen Your attitude is unacceptable.
This is an unfortunate accident.
But you and your team have no idea how extensive my connections are.
You'll be moved on in less time than you can imagine.
In view of your aggression, it shouldn't be too difficult.
Wait, is she threatening him? Keep calm.
We ignore provocation.
Weren't the workmen taking pictures when the ambulance got there? Yes, you're right Here they are.
There mate is dying right in front of their eyes, and they're taking pictures on their phones.
- The wonders of technology, eh? - She wants to know? Laetitia, don't.
Don't worry.
I passed my medical exam.
This time I have a right to be here.
There's no risk.
I said no.
If she knows him it'll be too much of a shock.
You're prepared to accept that? It's ridiculous.
We have to get her to talk about the victim again.
Figure out what she's hiding.
Laetitia, where are you going? Oh, shit.
You want to know how he is? Here you go.
Not a pretty sight.
Captain, please keep your people under control.
Well? Don't you want to look? Look at this one.
It's horrific to see the consequences of what you've done, huh? Laetitia, next door.
She has no right to threaten us.
Now.
Time for a break.
The interrogation is interrupted at 21:31.
- She's in shock.
We can finish her off.
- He's right.
- But we have to apply the pressure.
- You've seen confrontation doesn't work.
- You want me to change? - No.
Just try something different.
Relax a bit more, OK? I think you got this wrong.
The interrogations that we've done together, this year alone .
If I let you back in, you'll apologise, bring her a tea, and give her the news from the hospital.
Then you can slowly bring her back to her relationship with the victim.
Audrey, you see this is real life, here, yeah? Olivier, the issue is what the relationship was, so just let her speak.
She's not going to admit she tried to kill him.
Forget it! Just to remind you, it's still me in charge of this team.
I don't want to be your buddy.
Just obey me.
This is utter bullshit.
Gérard, go and fetch her a tea and do as I said.
- Feeling better? - Like you give a shit! Stop pretending.
I'd say you're better.
We're going to make a fresh start.
Whenever you're ready, madame.
I'll be filing a complaint.
So we're all going to calm down.
And it's better for you if we no longer continue with the threats.
Walid Benaoud went into surgery two hours ago at the hospital in Bichat.
They've just managed to stop the haemorrhage.
- Is he recovering? - They don't know.
But his life is still not out of danger.
Interrogation resumes at 21:40.
Madame, you can understand our curiosity.
You keep asking if he's going to make it, but at the same time you claim to have no personal involvement.
FTR CONSTRUCTIONS REBAR FOREMAN I didn't push Walid.
Walid? So she's calling him Walid, now! And I asked about him because I have a lot of affection for him.
Maybe more than that.
OK, now we're on.
Olivier, jump back in.
Excuse me, I'd like to talk to talk with my client for a moment.
The answer is no.
For the time being, why don't you tell us about your love for him? You do love him, don't you? And him? He feels the same? I mean, are you in a relationship? For the recording, Captain Olivier Hagen has returned to the room.
So, do you have a relationship? We do.
Why didn't you tell us earlier? Because we agreed not to talk about it.
We decided to keep it separate.
Especially from his colleagues.
To avoid bad feelings.
I respect that.
For how long? Eight months.
Excuse me, I'm sorry to ask this, but exactly what was the relationship? Usually two or three times a week yes, we'd sleep together, if that was your question.
Is it a domination thing? Is he, like, your toy boy? Not at all.
That's exactly why we didn't speak about it.
You're not able to dispute that there must have been an aspect of subordination, though.
SHE'S USING THE PAST TENSE Excuse me it's my limited imagination.
I just can't see how How things could possibly work between us? We ran into each other one night, in the portables.
He was looking for Accounts, because unbelievably, his wages were too high, he said.
I showed him the building he needed.
But Walid chose not to go straight away.
He wondered who I was.
The building was already built up to the eighth floor.
We'd already been there for five months, working every day.
I'd visited the site dozens of times, to keep check of the men.
I'd even organised drinks for them.
I was able to read my name on his overalls.
But no, he didn't know who I was.
And when it took me a while to respond, he asked me if I didn't know where to go, too.
At that time, I was on my way to fire some of the engineering consultants who had made the project fall behind.
It was unacceptable.
But in that instant, my anger disappeared.
I wanted to enjoy the moment so I just responded, "Caroline.
" He offered me a cigarette.
We went up to the little terrace overlooking the site.
And as we smoked, he said how proud he was to be part of this crazy project.
It had been so long that I'd completely forgotten the beauty of the building site.
He asked me what time I finished.
I found it so amusing, I couldn't help laughing.
I thought I had upset him.
But not at all.
And what happened? He decided to wait for me opposite the offices.
And when I left, he hadn't departed.
I didn't think he was serious.
I straightaway thought that I should tell him.
He said to me it had clicked for him while he was waiting.
He smiled and politely wished me good evening, and started to go.
My position posed a problem, like it did for all the others.
So this time, I approached him.
I just asked if he liked wine.
So, we'd meet in secret more and more often.
Bullshit.
Why do you say that? They're just too different.
She's taking us for a ride with her fairy tale.
She's right, I don't buy it either.
She keeps using the past tense.
See? She's trying to fuck with us.
It's possible.
But maybe it was still her who pushed him.
Did you feel betrayed when he raised the problem of working conditions in public? That's not even the question.
We're already nine weeks behind.
The penalties add up to more than the total annual budget for your team.
- Can you imagine the pressure? - You've avoided the question.
I'm extremely conscious of the feelings of those who work for me.
But I have no choice.
I'm powerless, in other words.
I can't change the system.
Do you want me to fire everyone? But why does your lover suddenly denounce the working conditions there? Did you go too far? When he was made foreman, he wanted to give reassurance to his men, to demonstrate he was up to the task and that he'd stand up for them.
And the other workers agreed wholeheartedly? Evidently.
Walid is charismatic and the the men don't understand we're all in the same boat.
You know how easy it can be.
You easily make enemies when you manage a team.
So the threat of a strike and their grievance? It was real? The reality was, it was starting to actually affect people.
What did you do? I gathered them together and I explained as much as possible that the company could go bust before finishing the job, unless we gave everything, and that we all depended on each another.
That concrete must be poured faster to complete a floor every two days, and that we could do it, but only if we worked together.
I said it again this morning.
That's probably when I lost my barrette.
Weren't you asking them to do the impossible? As I said at first, I didn't have a choice.
In a man's world like the construction business, you have no idea how many people are waiting for me to mess up so they can challenge my credibility, even among my own teams.
Threats, betrayal, paranoia It's a bit much, isn't it? Yes? I've explained I loved him, but you - You still think that I pushed him.
- Yes.
Why don't you try to help us understand? Most murder attempts happen among people known to each other.
The man I love is in the hospital.
Don't you think I deserve a little empathy? That was the hospital.
He's dead.
- Fuck me, she pulled it off.
- And we'll only have her version.
Is it possible your confrontation might have ended your relationship? I'd accept, it tested it.
But not to the point of separating.
I don't know if you realised it, but you've been talking about your relationship in the past.
I can see where you're going with your crime of passion.
- Perhaps because it is that.
- You lack imagination.
No, on the contrary.
I'm interested in your paranoia.
You're convinced you were targeted.
What if that were true? What if Walid approached you to manipulate you? Maybe some of his workmates suggested he play you, for what you do.
You've no idea.
Let me try out this scenario.
May we imagine that you were overtaken by your desire for seduction? You created a beautiful story, where he didn't even know your name.
Of course, you doubted if such a young, good looking man could really fall in love with you.
But you kept on believing, because it was flattering and it allowed you to serve a different function.
Then you had the realisation.
The day you saw him leading the fight for fair working conditions you realised that his approach had ulterior motives.
So then, you waited a few days, you removed the barriers of security, and then arranged to see him.
To push him.
Holy shit.
He's captured her.
Now then, it's your choice.
You have the right to remain silent.
But if you choose to say nothing, you'll be taken to court.
Madame? Madame? She's confirming nothing.
Olivier, can we talk? I don't know what you think you proved there, but you didn't.
You didn't even give her time to react.
She doesn't need more time.
You just can't accept that my instinct was right, can you? No! Maybe about the relationship, but that doesn't mean she pushed him.
Maybe she had never imagined that Walid could be some sort of manipulator.
And now she's realising that theory is credible, that her boyfriend didn't love her.
In which case she's upset, but it's unlikely she's the one who pushed him? Exactly.
OK, slow down She might not be telling us everything.
This is your last chance to explain everything.
No.
No, what? No, that's not at all what happened.
You tell us, then.
I have to say, you impressed me.
You're intuitive.
I have never looked at it like that before.
I can see that that it's possible that Walid approached me to trap me.
On the other hand, there's one thing of which I'm certain: that our relationship was absolutely sincere.
You understand that it's difficult to believe this story.
We loved each other.
As I say.
When we met, he wasn't playing a role.
I wasn't, either.
So you might have got it right about the reason for our encounter.
About the rest, you've got it wrong.
Still, we can imagine the beliefs you held must have been conflicting.
At least, on the subject of your work.
We didn't talk about it.
I suppose at the beginning we did a bit, but that soon completely stopped.
Our relationship had to be compartmentalised.
Excuse the naivety of my question, but how come? How did you compartmentalise? Our opinions at work were different.
Antagonistic, most of the time.
We may work in the same place, but we see the relationship as completely separate.
We would meet somewhere, often in a hotel, but far away.
It's the only time the pressure is lifted off me.
We're like two lovers who come from two different worlds, that place their suitcases down, so content there, just to be.
You never spoke about anything professional? His role, the team? - Everyone talks about that.
- Never.
Until he discussed it in public.
I say again, I understood that.
But we had to accelerate.
Madame, I come from a working class family.
I know what it's like.
And you say you had to accelerate, but my question that I'd like to propose is, was it even possible? - What are you asking? - You said the pace was already high, so accelerating and accelerating again, that must have posed problems for your safety.
Oh, no, it's too important to let slip.
It's out of the question to sacrifice the safety of my men.
I have here all the documents which indicate that all the regulations have been followed.
Yeah, sure, but the regulations are theoretical, no? All the boxes are ticked on paper, but in reality The company has employees who ensure the regulations are followed.
Here's the schedule for the rounds and the reports from each of the controllers.
You have a member of the team who does rounds to verify all this? It's mandatory.
They activate control boxes to prove they've done their rounds.
And as I understand it, an hour before the slip, a controller had passed by and indicated that the barriers were still there.
The guardrails didn't come off by themselves.
Are you able to explain how you remove a guardrail? There are two posts which screw into a concrete slab, and the boards are placed on hooks between them.
Hold on.
So why would someone who was going to push him go to the bother of removing all the posts when all they had to do was remove the boards? Especially since it takes a long time.
You have to unbolt it and remove the post from below.
Is there a good reason to remove these posts? To have access To make sure that the base slab and cage is connected to the offset.
To do a rebar worker's job.
And then? It could only have been him who needed to remove the posts.
Walid Benaoud stayed late to carry on working for you.
To keep up the ridiculous pace that you were imposing.
So you're right, he loves you.
But he removed the barriers, and wasn't able to put them back because he didn't have enough time.
So are you returning to the hypothesis that it was an accident? No, not an accident.
A fatality.
The victim knew the safety regulations, like all the workers.
Except it no longer tallied with the targets.
You tried to compartmentalise everything.
The safety on one side, construction on the other.
Your love on one side, your workers on the other.
But there are human beings behind our decisions, madame.
And it's so cruel if we know them.
- From a legal perspective - This won't go any further.
Do you have any news yet? I'm so sorry.
Are you saying that it was me who killed him, yet nothing will happen to me? Yes, it's no concern of the law.
You can leave, Mme.
Solal.
Whether you're guilty or not, that's for you to decide.
- Well done.
- Yeah, well done! - That was tough, but you did it.
- You blew me away.
Thanks.
Beers are on me! Where did Audrey go? No idea.
Did she say anything? Nothing special.
So do we all agree that she doesn't really belong here? Yeah, of course I do.
I'll do what I said.
I'll talk to management about how she messed up with the lawyer.
Better go.
You coming? Laetitia, can I have a word with you, please? - See you downstairs? - Yeah.
What? Am I suspended? I don't see what other option I have.
I wouldn't have fucked up if you had defended your team.
I couldn't just let Olivier be threatened.
That's the boss's job, to defend their team.
What, even if they're unmanageable? Oh, just do what you want.
Suspend me if that's what you feel.
But I don't know which one of us will be here in the long run.
What are you saying? You'll see.
Claire Bertin, Attorney.
Leave a message and I'll call you back.
Hi, Claire, it's Audrey.
Listen, I'm sorry to bother you with this, but I really need you to tell me who gave the info about the sick leave of Laetitia Serra.
Because everyone thinks it's me, and it's well, it's complicated.
Can you call me back, please?