- Need a lift? - It's okay, it's not far.
See you.
This is like skipping math with the girls.
How about a film?
I can't.
Why not?
Right, your daughter... Too bad.
Eat at my place, then. Bring her.
Come on...
I've never met her. I don't even know her name.
Her name's Louise.
You and Louise
are coming for dinner, okay?
Okay.
You've got a fever.
Have you got a fever?
Has she been like this long?
I don't know.
You're hot.
- You don't know. - Well, no.
You can dress her. Change her nappy.
- Who looks after her? - She's in a daycare.
She has bronchopneumonia.
- She'll have to stay at home. - For long?
Two or three days. Do you work?
She may need physiotherapy too.
Make sure she drinks plenty of water.
That'll be 350 francs.
Could you prescribe some Rohypnol? I'm almost out.
You take a lot?
No, only from time to time
to help me sleep.
I'd rather let your usual doctor prescribe it.
I have to work. Here's some water.
Look, two bottles. You heard the doctor.
Drink a lot. Okay, poppet?
Be good, okay?
I won't be home too late.
I really have to go, poppet.
Good morning.
Nice to see you.
I was going to leave a note. Louise is too ill for daycare.
- Can you look after her? - Don't worry.
Is she asleep?
I'll just get your keys.
I won't be home late.
Any medicine to take?
No, she's already had it.
- She just needs to drink. - Okay.
- Thanks. - Have a good day.
- Do you need anyone right now? - In sales, you mean?
- Yes. - No, not for the moment.
Too bad.
Do you like them?
I guess.
They're great.
You think so?
Here comes mom to cheer you up.
Well...
She's in no hurry.
Claire, it's me.
Are you there?
You're not there?
Too bad.
It's not easy to call here.
I wanted to see how you are. I got your card today.
I'm...
I can't find the words.
What I mean is...
I just wish I could be with you.
I miss you, Claire.
I'm going to hang up. I have nothing to say.
But, you know...
I love you.
I love you. Take care.
Don't worry, I'm okay here.
It's tough but it's okay. Take care.
I'll be back Tuesday.
- Will that be all? - Yes.
What's your name?
Rachel.
That's 200 francs.
Could I ask you out one of these nights?
No answer? Maybe I'll just
leave you my number.
There you go.
- You'll call me? - No.
Too bad.
See you round.
Laurent, like my guy.
- Will you call him? - No way.
You should.
He looks kind of sweet.
"Remember, my soul, the thing we saw
"that lovely summer day?
"On a pile of stones, beside the path, the hideous carrion,
"Legs in the air, like a whore,
"A belly slick with lethal sweat,
"Displayed, indifferent to the last, Swollen with foul gas."
Hey, there's a cupboard in the house.
Is that it?
Very good.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
I'm sorry, I'm really late.
It's okay, you're not too late.
Don't worry.
Come on, time to go home.
- See you tomorrow. - No, in two weeks. Surely you know.
We put the poster up a month ago. We're closing for the holidays.
Are you okay?
Yes, of course. Goodbye.
Little kitten.
You're tired.
A bit tired.
Show me your arm.
Someone bit you?
Was it someone at the nursery?
We'll put some cream on it.
You have to fight back.
I don't want them biting you.
I love you, I do.
Do you love me?
Yes, you do.
No, maybe not.
Can you dig it up?
Go on...
Excuse me.
Is this your little girl?
She ought to wear a hat.
It's very hot.
Screw you.
- Over there. - Go on, dig.
What's wrong?
Time for beddy-byes.
How about this one?
Want to try it?
Music.
Come here.
Let's dance.
Want to dance?
Show me how well you dance.
It's your first wedding. Want me to explain it?
It's when a man and a woman are really in love.
They get married.
There's a ceremony
and then they live together.
While the articles of marriage
do not define each partner's role,
they're a guideline.
Be quiet.
Just behave.
"Article 213.
"The couple oversees the moral education..."
...do you take as your wife Marine Brigitte Mayard?
Marine Brigitte Mayard,
do you take as your husband
Laurent Philippe Mestari?
Therefore,
I declare Marine Brigitte Mayard
and Laurent Philippe Mestari
bound by the bonds of matrimony.
- Congratulations. - Thank you.
Laurent!
Thanks for coming.
Can I borrow her for a photo?
Come on, sweetheart.
Jean-Louis, can you take us?
Are you happy with your new mommy?
Here, go back to mom.
You're tired.
Coming to the reception?
- No, she's crabby. - Okay, no problem.
Come on, baby.
If you want a spoon, take it.
Manage on your own now.
You were bad this morning. I'm not pleased.
What's wrong with you today? I'm angry.
Here's the spoon, see, and here's your dessert
so try to eat it.
All right, off to bed. Mommy's had enough now. Understand?
Excuse me...
Could I have a glass of sangria?
One for me too, please.
No, it's on me.
I'm Gérard.
- Rachel. - Pleased to meet you.
On your own?
Me too.
- Got a car? - No.
Me neither.
My place now?
I need to make a phone call.
Here.
No, later.
Okay.
"Got to go. Slam the door behind you. Gérard."
Good evening.
You stayed?
Good idea. Okay?
- Am I bothering you? - Not at all.
Want a drink?
- I'm okay. - I'll have one.
I'm wiped out.
How about you?
You weren't bored?
What did you do? Stay in all day?
Yes, I had a headache.
You didn't go out?
Want an aspirin?
I'm okay. I slept. It did me good.
What's wrong?
I don't know.
It's weird seeing
a pregnant woman with a gun.
I have to go.
What'll you do if it works?
Take the leave I'm entitled to.
- You're angry. - No.
It'll change things.
David...
Nothing's sure.
Let's stop...
I'm glad you're back.
Make a wish.
- An eyelash? - You know that one?
Sorry, wrong side.
Too bad. What was your wish?
I can't remember now.
Can't have been much of a wish. Tell me...
A new life.
You make pretty serious wishes.
Personally,
a trip to some exotic place would suit me.
To the Seychelles, say.
With you, of course.
Why not?
I'll be away for three days on business.
What do you do?
I work for a scientific publishing firm.
I go to bookshops.
Okay.
And you?
A model.
I'm kidding.
Nothing right now.
So you're leaving?
How can I put this... What will you do?
I'll leave. What else can I do?
I don't know.
It's true, we haven't talked much.
I don't know where you live, if you have a guy...
I was wondering, see.
In any case, you can stay if you want.
Okay.
You won't steal my stereo?
That's a good one.
You still haven't told me...
Got someone?
No one.
Hi, it's Gérard. Are you there?
You must be out.
I hope you're enjoying the place. I'm okay.
I'll call you back. Take care.
I love you.
Let's see...
Shall I give you a few samples?
I'll give you this.
And two perfumes.
I can't wait to see the hunks on the beach.
A ticket to Montpellier.
The 1:12 pm train.
- With the return? - No.
You're right.
You'll see Palavas-les-Flots, the beaches, the sun...
I know La Grande Motte, Le Grau du Roi,
Cap d'Agde...
Do you mind?
I'm Cécile. And you?
- Rachel. - Pleased to meet you.
- Been to Palavas before? - No.
I've been coming for years.
Even to summer camp as a kid.
Seen the guys selling snacks on the beach?
I used to do that too.
What a shit job.
You run around all day.
It wipes you out.
Still...
That's how I learned people don't watch their things.
Never been caught?
No, I'm talented. And careful.
I'd be too scared of being caught.
I make more than I did from the snacks.
People always have loads of cash in summer, see.
Still...
I can't complain.
- Does it hurt? - A little.
Let me see.
Go on.
To the right...
Go on...
Don't be afraid.
Turn right.
See, I didn't lie. Not bad, is it?
It's beautiful.
- Make yourself at home. - Is it yours?
I couldn't afford it. It belongs to a guy I know.
He lets me use it in high season.
Neat deal, huh?
You bet.
Another drink? There's plenty.
I've drunk enough.
Some water, maybe.
I feel as if I know you.
Don't you?
Maybe we were at school together.
Ever been in a foster home? I was put into care.
I've been all over: Vannes, Redon,
Mulhouse...
No, not me.
I don't know.
Maybe you just don't remember.
I'll show you your room.
Come in.
- Can I come in? - Yes.
Okay?
I'm beat.
You look it.
I don't want to.
That's okay.
You want me to go?
No, stay.
I live next door. I'm sick of the noise.
Stay there a second.
Well?
Not a lot. A few VCRs and stereos. What's up?
Loud music playing for a couple of days.
Non-stop. I rang the doorbell but there's no reply.
We can check but we can't break in.
If you don't, I will.
Okay, let's go up.
I'll show you.
Hear that? It's been going on three days.
You could have called us sooner.
No one home.
It's not locked.
Stay here.
Rachel Varron. You know her?
Only by sight. She's a young woman with a kid.
How old?
- This high. - Not the kid, her.
22 to 24...
Seen her recently?
Not for a few days.
Claire!
Wait here.
What's wrong? What is it?
In Bagneux, the police have just discovered
the body of a 14-month-old girl who died several days ago.
The body was taken to the nearest hospital.
The police were called after a neighbor heard a radio playing
non-stop in the apartment.
An investigation has started into this mysterious death.
Are you okay?
We'll swim later.
Back to the beach?
- Not just yet. - I'm going back.
She's been dead for six days. The body's totally dehydrated.
Excessive weight loss. No doubt as to the cause.
In this weather, alone in an apartment...
Otherwise, the post mortem shows nothing special.
No blows or bone fractures.
She was a normal 14-month-old.
The only odd thing was a trace
of benzodiazepine. Did you find any sleeping pills?
- Rohypnol. - That's it.
She probably used it and let the kid have some too.
People do crazy things.
But that's not what killed her.
The kid probably fell into a hypoglycemic coma.
She wasn't conscious when she died.
I used to be like that too.
I thought I'd never learn to swim.
I came to summer camp here.
I never left the edge.
The teachers, my friends...
They tried to teach me but I couldn't.
It really freaked me out.
I couldn't understand.
There were other kids
who had parents to teach them.
But I couldn't see mine.
My mother, anyhow. My father...
He was a mystery.
I think that's why I wouldn't learn.
Then the others gave up trying.
I learned to swim at 15
with the first girl I fell in love with.
- You're beautiful. - No, you are.
Shit.
What? What's wrong?
I can call Massiac.
No, I'll do it.
Are you okay?
I'm sorry.
Cut it out. Don't start that.
It's...
It's the way things go.
I'm sure it's to do with that kid you found.
It's not that at all.
- It could be. - Don't talk rubbish.
It would shock anyone.
It just didn't work, David.
Why? Maybe because we fucked yesterday. Who can say?
It's horrible.
Really horrible.
I don't know what happened.
When Rachel didn't come to work,
I didn't worry.
I just thought she'd taken some holiday.
At this time of year,
the shop's so quiet. I mean...
Anyhow, I called her. There was no reply.
I should have worried more. I tell myself that now.
I didn't really know Rachel that well. I only saw her at work.
The first time I saw her was when Mrs. Aymard hired me.
You know how it is. You wonder what people will be like.
You're wary at first, not knowing how they'll react.
Salesgirls can make life hell for each other, I know.
I could tell I'd get on with Rachel.
She wouldn't be a problem.
Why am I telling you this? It's not what you want to hear.
She must be dead.
You know, she has to be dead.
I have my own house.
- Want to go? - Where is it?
On lbiza, in the Balearic Islands.
It's up in the hills, miles from anywhere.
It's not much of a house.
There's no power.
And you have to wash in the kitchen.
It's tiny too.
All around, it's beautiful.
I go for four or five weeks at a time.
There are a few houses and a village a mile or so away.
It's so isolated, you can really be alone there.
Is it yours?
Well, no, I rent it from a woman.
But it's the same. I found it three years ago.
When I've had enough, I take off there. I'll end my days there.
All alone?
I've never taken anyone there before.
You're the first one I've invited.
I love you.
Say that again.
I didn't hear.
I love you.
I thought it would be a one-night stand.
But she stayed.
- Just like that? - Yes.
It just happened.
Didn't that seem weird to you?
A little, yes. But she had a way about her.
It seemed normal.
- How long did it last? - Five days.
She was gone when I got back from a business trip.
And?
And nothing.
I realized it was over.
Did you talk?
- Yes, like anyone. - Did she mention her kid?
- No, I didn't know. - Did she mention her job?
No, she didn't.
Did anything make you think she had problems?
No. What problems?
- I don't know. - So what do you know?
I didn't want her to go.
I know, it may sound stupid.
I spent five days with that girl
but that's that.
A little girl died of thirst in her apartment
while you were fucking her mother.
It's nothing to do with me.
No, you didn't know.
I came to you. That's all I can tell you.
Good evening.
She abandoned her. We know that for sure now.
That guy spent five days with her.
She let her own child die.
Claire, I don't want to hear this.
- Not tonight anyhow. - You don't?
- I'm taking a week off. - Great. It's been a long time.
Take a few days and we'll go to Brittany.
- That's impossible. - Why?
I can't stop working now. And I don't want to.
- Go on your own if you want. - I don't want to.
I don't want to fight either.
Neither do I.
Want to eat?
No, I'm not hungry.
Good night.
It's really beautiful.
- Mrs Varron? - Yes.
- Lieutenant Ferrand. Can we talk? - Yes.
- I already saw your colleagues. - I know.
Sit down.
Fire away.
- No word from your daughter? - No.
Do you have any idea where she could be?
- With relatives or friends? - I don't know.
I didn't even know she had a little girl, Inspector.
She hasn't called me.
Nor anyone I know.
All this is very hard for me.
It doesn't even seem real.
I didn't know her,
that's what I'm telling myself.
I thought I did but this proves I didn't.
A reporter came here this morning.
He wanted me to talk about Rachel.
He wanted to hear amazing things. But what could I say?
I only ever saw her as a normal child.
The last time I saw her was at Easter.
She came for lunch.
She didn't...
She doesn't come here often.
Three or four times a year.
We call each other.
She bought me a mobile for Christmas.
I thought she might come for my birthday next week.
Ah well.
Look at this.
Who'd imagine she'd have a baby in secret?
I don't understand.
We've always led a quiet life.
All right?
It's the police.
- Georges Varron. - Hello.
Have you found my daughter?
No, not yet.
Any idea where she is?
None at all. And I don't want any.
This whole business is appalling.
But the facts don't concern me.
There's no reason to keep hassling us.
It's bad enough having to bury a kid no one had ever seen.
Georges...
I'm just speaking my mind. Sorry.
I always speak my mind.
Does that bother you?
I know what people will say.
They'll say it's her parents' fault but that's too easy.
Our only fault was...
bringing her into the world.
But all parents screw up there.
In any case, Rachel's an adult now and that's the truth.
You need to ask her why she did it.
I won't take the blame.
I hired her three years ago.
She was discreet and pleasant.
The only strange time was her pregnancy. I noticed one day.
I asked her about it, congratulated her.
She seemed surprised. As if she didn't know herself.
I didn't insist.
A few months later, one morning,
I found her.
She was giving birth in the toilet.
I called an ambulance but it happened so fast, I helped.
It was a little girl. She named her after me.
My name's Louise. I was touched.
From what I could tell, the father was a student.
From Sweden, I think, or Denmark.
She'd lived with him for a fortnight or so.
After that...
life got back to normal.
What are you doing here?
- Surprise. - What does that mean?
You won't take a week off so we're going away for the weekend.
- Pain in the ass. - Thanks.
I have to tell you.
I called Massiac.
I told him to destroy all the remaining embryos.
I don't want to do another in vitro job.
- You're just telling me? - Yes.
I don't understand.
Sorry but I don't understand.
This is a bit of a shock.
You call it off without telling me?
I'm telling you now. I've had enough.
This isn't talking about it.
I don't agree.
Shit.
Open up, will you? Open up!
Are you crying?
- Why are you crying? - I don't know.
Don't cry.
I don't know why.
Elizabeth Georges?
I found it when I got back from vacation yesterday.
I don't read the papers so I didn't know.
The neighbors told me about it.
I felt like I'd been stabbed.
What did she think? That I'd just sit and wait at home?
I should have told her I was going away.
But I never thought.
I didn't baby-sit on a regular basis. You agree?
She was a pretty little girl.
But she was a burden for her mother.
She wasn't mistreated but she wasn't loved.
I felt sorry for her whenever I looked after her.
She was so sad and shy.
I don't know what Rachel was thinking.
Still, I don't know what I could have done.
But I keep thinking that if I hadn't gone away...
What an idiot!
She deserves to die for it.
I understand how you feel. Thank you for coming.
- Will you find her? - Sooner or later.
Please look after Louise tonight. I'm going out.
- No thanks, I'm on duty later. - You're sure?
You've really decided to stop trying?
I've decided.
What about David?
I don't really know.
He doesn't agree. I know you.
Maybe.
- You're right. He'd keep trying. - I bet. He doesn't give up easily.
And I do?
What I mean is...
David's a bit more optimistic, say.
- You understand what I mean. - I think I will have a glass.
I don't know what's going to happen now.
We fought. He stayed out all night.
Just about anything could happen. We can't talk and I think...
we'll probably end up parting.
Listen...
What am I, mom, if he's optimistic?
A bit hard.
Police. Freeze!
Put it down!
Freeze!
Are you angry with me?
Do you think I'm weak?
No, you're not weak.
You know, I'd like to take a week's holiday.
I almost killed him. It's never happened before.
I'll ask for time off tomorrow.
Two weeks if you want.
- It'll do us good. - Suits me.
You know that girl who abandoned her daughter,
I know her.
Well, I've seen her around. At choir practice.
She came at the start of the year.
I never really noticed her
but I remember her voice.
I keep thinking about it.
Her voice and what she did.
When we found the child and realized she'd left her there,
I hated her.
Really hated her.
Now, I don't really know.
I've seen her parents, her colleagues...
her last lover.
No one can tell me anything.
The town is still in shock following the discovery
of a little girl who died of thirst, all alone.
It happened here, in this building. It seems the mother is on holiday.
There is a warrant out for her arrest for murder.
Rachel Varron has vanished. She is wanted by the police.
Rachel!
Bagneux Police HQ.
It's Rachel Varron.
I'm Rachel Varron. I saw the number in the paper.
Just a second. Hold on.
Are you there?
- You're Rachel Varron? - You don't believe me?
- Where are you? - At Palavas, in a phone booth.
- What's your date of birth? - You don't believe me.
- I need your date of birth. - May 12, 1978.
I swear it's me.
I don't know the right word...
I want to be arrested.
I swear it's me.
I believe you. Where's the phone booth exactly?
Just opposite the beach.
Stay there. A police car will come to pick you up.
An officer will take your statement.
How are you dressed?
In blue jeans and a green T-shirt.
Don't panic, we're on our way.
Rachel, are you there?
I called the police.
They'll be here soon. You have to go.
- Don't say anything. - I won't.
I'm scared.
I feel cold. Crazy, isn't it?
Forgive me.
I feel weird for some reason.
It must be indigestion.
I'll bring you a glass of water.
You're pregnant.
No, that's impossible.
I'd never been to the South before.
When Louise was six months old, we almost moved here.
I applied for a job down here.
I thought it would work out.
They called me for an interview.
Then, the day before, they cancelled it.
They'd chosen someone else.
It's a pity.
I think we'd have liked it here.
How long will I be in prison?
I don't know. I'm not the judge.
Subtitles: Lan Burley
Processed by Eclair Video - Paris