Salamander (2012) s01e03 Episode Script

I'm in Vilvoorde.
I've been called out to a suicide.
Your informer, André Strubbe, has hung himself with a wire.
Do you believe that? - Why do you think I'm calling? You've been suspended.
- I've what? Been temporarily suspended.
800 safes.
And they chose those particular 66.
People in leading positions.
You know I don't agree with this.
Martin said you're suspended.
Gerardi, Federal Police.
You're not from the police.
You can't be.
We were assured that Assured? Easy does it.
Everything will be fine.
Don't do that.
No! Bloody hell! Gerardi has gone, sir.
Make sure every policeman is looking for him.
So tomorrow the bank robbery and everything will become an official investigation.
You don't understand.
I only came to tell you about it.
Not to hear what I have to do.
I know that better than you do.
I won't be home for a few days.
Definitely call her, Dad, eh? Well? - Brother Carl doesn't wish to see you.
But I need to speak to him.
- I'm sorry.
If I can't speak to him, I really don't know what else to do.
Please.
You're forgetting one thing.
You're the Public Prosecutor but I'm still your minister.
Until the next elections.
Then you'll be replaced by someone else.
That's how it works, Marc.
That's politics.
But I will remain in my job.
And I defend the legal state, the institutions and whatever's left.
Marc, please.
Look at the names.
- You're among them.
Yeah, yeah.
Minister, State Secretary, Governor of the National Bank.
All their secrets are now in the wrong hands.
If that's exploited, the country won't survive.
I'll bring in the Security Service.
- Who's to say they aren't behind this? I'm sorry we're talking to each other like this.
I've no idea who's behind the robbery and why either.
So no one can be trusted? - That's the problem.
So tell me.
What do you suggest? Whoever the people behind it are, they mustn't suspect that we know anything.
We quietly prepare for eventualities and deal with the problem as it arises.
There's already a problem.
Gerardi.
- Gerardi? Leave him to me.
I couldn't find any toothpaste but you can borrow mine until tomorrow.
The toothbrush is new.
- That's very kind of you, thank you.
I didn't introduce myself.
Paul Gerardi.
Victor.
A couple of things for tomorrow morning.
There is silent prayer in the church at six.
Lauds is at seven and breakfast is at half past seven.
It's up to you.
Brother Carl will see you tomorrow morning.
If he wants to.
If not, you have to leave tomorrow.
I hope you sleep well.
Thank you.
Hello.
To whom am I speaking? And? Are they still answering? - Yes.
I'm just popping out.
Was that Dad? - Oh, Sofie.
No, no, it was a wrong number.
It's OK, sweetheart.
Hello.
Hello, Dad? Hello.
Why do you keep bothering us? Bastard! Sofie, hang up, sweetheart.
What are you doing? - Calling that number back.
The number you have dialled is out of use.
Why are they harassing us like this? We don't know anything.
No, sweetheart, we don't know anything.
Right.
I'm going to call Dad.
- No, Mum.
He asked us not to.
He'll call us.
Sofie, I'm absolutely sick of his job.
I really am.
Why do you always have to criticise him? D'you think he's thinking about your safety? All he's thinking about is his case.
You're not going to divorce him? Of course not, darling.
Come here.
What is all this? Hey.
OK? Come on, let's go to bed.
We've got to be up early tomorrow.
WEDNESDAY 7.
45 A.
M.
Excuse me.
Ah, Vincent.
Glad you're here.
Aren't there any more coming? Six sent their apologies.
Well, it was rather last-minute.
I'll get a coffee first.
Have one with me.
So it was your deputy who passed on the 66 names of our people? That's unbelievable.
And who to? If I knew that, I'd tell you, Martine.
But I can assure you I have everything under control.
Robijns committed suicide.
But thanks to Persigal, the Public Prosecutor, there won't be an investigation by the police.
Just how far can Persigal be trusted? He can hush the whole affair up, Cyrille.
Yes, but Persigal has never really been one of us.
He's never committed himself fully.
He will have to now.
His safe was cracked too.
He's fully aware who he has to thank for his nomination.
Us.
Right.
So no one knows about our organisation? No.
- And no one knows about this robbery? No.
- Are you certain? Of course.
I do think it's strange.
I really do.
Our people are everywhere.
We have 720 members who are with goodness knows how many banks.
Tell me what's irking you.
Well, it's a bit of a coincidence that only your bank was robbed.
That's just what it is, a coincidence.
I mean, it's possible this person isn't after us but after you, personally.
What could the reason be? - It is possible.
Bloody hell, is this some kind of court? It was my father, Emile, who founded this organisation.
I don't know who's trying to get at us.
But I won't let them destroy me.
Of course we have absolute confidence in our chairman.
And we are fully aware of his family connections.
Let's look at what practical measures we can take to ensure we remain in control of the situation.
Agreed.
Yes.
Yes? Good morning.
I let you sleep late.
- What's the time? 10 o'clock.
We saved you some breakfast.
Did you see him? Got everything? - Yes.
OK.
Hello, Paul.
- I might have guessed.
The leopard doesn't change its spots.
Clever.
Never put everything together in one place.
Paul.
- Hello, Carl.
Thank you for agreeing to help me.
I haven't said I will yet.
Although I must admit that it's an impressive list.
Half of Belgium's elite is on it.
Has a bank been robbed? - Not officially.
Oh, right.
Sure.
No one is allowed to know.
Now you're on the run and you thought of me, your old mate.
But I am pleased to see you.
You're my first visitor in a year.
You look better than you used to.
- Thank you.
How's things with Sarah? - Fine.
As good as they can be after sixteen years of marriage.
So you're still together? Great.
And Sofie? A fifteen-year-old girl.
You wouldn't recognise her.
Do you still see your family? - No.
No, not since I've been here.
I've got to get back to work.
You can come with me, if you like.
Then we can continue our chat.
I'm doing some gardening today.
I'll be right back.
- OK.
Stay in the playground at lunchtime, sweetheart, OK? Don't leave the school.
- I never do, Mum.
This evening too, wait inside for me until I get here.
OK? - Yes.
If something's the matter or you hear from Dad, call me immediately.
OK.
Bye, princess.
- Bye.
What's the matter? Did you think I'd start crying? Losers.
Big fat losers! You have to help me.
Three people have already died.
I can't trust anyone.
Sorry, pal.
I'll give you somewhere to stay but that's all.
You were my mate, dammit.
You taught me everything I know.
What do they say at the station? I've been suspended.
I'm supposed to take a holiday.
Rightly so.
This case is far too big for you.
You're not even aware of half of what's at stake here.
Think of your family.
I'm not going on the run, Carl.
- No.
You want to save the world.
D'you think you can do that by praying and trimming the hedge, or what? Carl! Remember that dead Moroccan? I got you out of trouble then, eh? And you ended up as Commissioner.
Well, now I'm here asking you to help me.
You're in my way.
OK, fine.
But I'm only going to give you my opinion, that's all.
OK.
Thanks.
- Come on, let's go inside.
Is that really all you do all day? Pray and work? Yes.
- And all because of that one blunder.
Among other things, yes.
I'm doing penance.
Leave it at that.
MR P.
LARIDON, MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR The tickets are in here.
Two to Malta, two for Ireland and one for Athens.
I will only be gone for two days.
If I need you, you'll hear from me and the rest will be paid in December.
Have a good trip.
- Thanks.
Any tip-offs about the robbery or perpetrators beforehand? No, nothing beforehand.
So this Strubbe is your only informer? - Yes.
Nothing from the underworld? And afterwards? No.
They eliminated the two weak links themselves.
That means a gang of at least five people or more.
Yes.
And you say they must've quietly prepared for it months in advance? Then they aren't ordinary criminals, are they? Usually if it takes that long, you get some jerk who can't keep his mouth shut.
That didn't happen here.
- True.
And, on top of that, just add up the millions they left behind.
If they don't want them, what do they want from the 66? Their balls.
Their soul.
Then it's politics.
But why? What's their objective? You'll never know.
Cos those 66 clowns won't report it.
They want it hushed up.
Which won't be difficult with the Public Prosecutor among them, of course.
What are you planning to do now? - Well, look at this.
This is a thank-you letter to Senator Guy Rasenberg.
He's one of the 66.
And it's probably out of his own safe.
For some unpleasant business he took care of.
Sounds exciting.
- Dear Senator, Dear Guy, We hereby inform you that the unfortunate business for which our son was responsible has ended favourably after all and this is due to your intervention with the authorities in question.
I cannot thank you enough.
If I can do anything in return blah blah blah.
Kind regards, Honoré.
That's not much to go on, is it? - Hold on.
He made some notes.
All police report numbers.
It concerns a hit-and-run accident by a minor.
The letter writer's son.
And now for the best bit.
The Honoré who sends his kind regards is Honoré Dekeyser, Commissioner of Direct Taxes.
If I can do anything in return.
Right.
That's my only clue.
Guy Rasenberg.
So I'll start with that.
I wouldn't start with anything.
Keep your mitts off it.
Carl.
I'm a cop and you aren't any more.
- Yes.
I want to look the address up.
Have you got a phone directory? Ask him.
You're the cop.
Brother Victor, have you got a phone directory here? A phone directory? No.
But we have got internet.
Come with me.
Oh, fantastic.
Yes.
Did you ask him where he was? What did he say? I'll give him one more day, then I'll call him myself.
I don't care what situation I disturb him in.
OK.
Thanks.
Yes.
Bye.
And? Nothing.
Nothing.
They've got him.
Come on.
Shit.
Mrs Rasenberg? Paul Gerardi.
Is the senator home? No.
He's at a meeting.
Have you got an appointment? Can I talk to you then? - If I can be of help.
It's to do with the theft at Jonkhere Bank.
Documents have turned up that refer to the senator.
And you are? - Chief Inspector Gerardi.
My husband receives letters like this every week.
It's not that remarkable.
He even specialises in that kind of favour.
You do know the Jonkhere Bank? Raymond Jonkhere is a personal friend of ours.
Because this letter was stolen from your safe at Jonkhere Bank.
We haven't got a safe there.
It's in your husband's name, but Then I'd know about it.
It's nonsense.
Sorry, but here is an inventory from the bank.
Guy Rasenberg, safe number 151.
French savings accounts, international bonds, holdings.
To the value of approximately one million euros.
Was this robbery discovered Monday by any chance? I remember Raymond Jonkhere phoning here Monday.
The phone didn't stop ringing all day.
Have you got any idea who else may have phoned? They're all on your list.
All 66? - Not all 66, no.
You mean the 66 know each other.
Look.
They meet once a month.
It's a sort of, how shall I put it? A sort of Darling, I'm home early.
That meeting was postponed.
Those socialists are getting on my Hello.
Oh, hello.
I didn't know I had another appointment.
- Not everyone comes to see you, eh? This gentleman came to give me some investment advice.
We made an appointment, don't tell me you forgot.
No, no.
No, no, of course not.
Sorry to disturb you.
No problem.
I was just about to say goodbye, senator.
Thank you for your hospitality.
- I'll show you out.
Goodbye.
Oh, fantastic.
Here's my card.
Call me.
OK? Then we can arrange to meet.
We have to.
Sarah? Darling, I asked you not to call me using the landline.
They're probably listening in.
- You should've called me then.
They're outside again.
They call during the night to keep us awake.
No, now you're going to listen for a moment.
They follow us, they Listen.
That's just to intimidate me.
They probably want me to It's not about you.
This really isn't about you.
Our daughter is scared stiff.
They follow us to school.
For the umpteenth time, they are civil servants from the ministry.
They won't put a foot wrong.
- But they are here.
And where are you? I can't tell you.
Give me a few more days.
Just a moment.
Hello.
Are you still there? People have been murdered.
I've got no choice.
I can't turn my back on this? For goodness' sake! Honestly.
Think of your daughter for a moment, and what she's going through because you have to save the world.
You can do what you like, but not at Sofie's expense.
OK? I am absolutely sick to death of you.
I really am, you are truly selfish.
- Sarah.
Goddammit.
I am absolutely sick to death of you.
I really am, you are truly selfish.
- Sarah.
The call was made from Rue Américaine.
Right.
So? - That's where Senator Rasenberg lives.
He's on the list of the 66.
- Sarah.
That's a name from the Bible.
But she's right.
Gerardi is a moralist.
He can make things difficult for us.
His family is his weak point.
Should we apply some pressure? We're already doing that, aren't we? And the result? Nothing.
We could grab the daughter.
I got them to send me Paul Gerardi's personnel file.
There's a confidential note in there about a fatal shooting in 2009 together with his colleague Carl Cassimon.
The victim was an innocent Moroccan.
The case was closed thanks to one-sided statements by Gerardi.
Here you are.
There's something else about Cassimon and Gerardi.
Last page, at the bottom.
Read it.
A man can sometimes be so weak, can't he? Thanks.
Cheers.
- Cheers.
OK? - Sarah wants me to stop.
She's had enough.
Otherwise she's off.
Then I'd go home if I were you.
Yeah.
But I'm not you.
- No.
You're an idealist.
That's even worse.
Do you know whether cell P9 still exists? P9? Why? They're looking for me and driving around with government number plates from the Ministry of Justice, they're armed.
No.
I've no idea.
MR LARIDON, MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR Laridon speaking.
Yes, himself.
To whom am I speaking? Yes, it's here in front of me.
What do you want? I can't do that.
You can't ask that of me.
Hello? Hello? THURSDAY 8.
15 A.
M.
Hello, Carl.
Adams.
I've been expecting you.
If something stinks, you're always to be found nearby.
Drive.
What do you want? You bring him outside and we'll take him off your hands.
I'll tell you what, Adams.
Go and get him yourself.
I left.
I've got nothing to do with P9 and its dirty tricks.
Anyway, I don't betray my friends.
Oh, really? - Yes.
This is a confidential note from Internal Affairs about Paul Gerardi, from two years ago.
He was not doing very well.
Following an argument his wife moved out for three weeks and into the Petite Astoria Hotel on Rue d'Arlon.
But that is only included because you were spotted at the hotel too, with Sarah, three nights in a row.
You in bed with your best friend's wife.
Oh, but Gerardi doesn't know that.
What do you want? - To let him read that.
He's an idealist.
He believes in things like true friendship.
It wasn't a real affair.
You know it wasn't.
I'm not the one you have to convince.
Convince Gerardi to leave the monastery.
He'll never do that.
Bring him to us with all his documents or we'll grab his daughter.
Clear? I've looked up the jobs of those 66.
Here.
Odilon Roose, Major General with Defence.
Antoine Ostmeyer, advisor to the Royal Palace.
Pierre Laridon, Minister of the Interior What's the matter? I I'm afraid you can't stay here, Paul.
Why? - The Prior would rather you left.
We've had a call about your Opel Corsa that's here.
It's been reported stolen.
I think they're watching the monastery.
I understand.
I'm glad you do.
- How do I leave without being seen? I've thought about that.
I have to go shopping tomorrow, in a van.
If you hide in the back no one will see you.
Tomorrow morning at eight.
I'll wait for you.
OK? OK.
FRIDAY 8 A.
M.
Good morning.
- Good morning.
Sleep well? Shouldn't I get in the back? - Not yet.
I have to go to a nearby farm first.
There's plenty of time.
Brother Carl, can you come here a moment? I don't believe this.
He's there again, wanting something.
Yeah Oh dear.
- What did he want? I have to get him two packets of cigarettes and ten bars of chocolate.
You've got the Jonkhere documents with you, haven't you? OK.
Let's go.
Take the next right.
- No, no, it's straight ahead.
Go right, Carl.
- I can't do that, Paul.
Turn bloody right.
- It's for your own good.
I said stop, dammit! Stop! Bloody hell.
I can't see them any more.
Where are they? - Get in and give yourself up.
Where are they, goddammit? A kilometre down the road.
NEXTWEEK Who wants to destroy Salamander? I've hushed three deaths up for you.
- It was time you did something.
I'm not interested in that.
Who's behind it? That's what I want to know.
Stay there.
Stay there.
Meanwhile your safe and my safe at Jonkhere are empty.
It's alright.
It doesn't matter.
I will go down fighting.
Hard.
We've bloody lost him for good.
I paid 300,000 euros on Monday.
- Yes.
I'm just back from Switzerland.
Who's received his message? I won't be home till late.
You're one of the 66.
Your turn may still come.