It's so difficult,
embarrassing, you know Mr. Argento
Detectives encounter so many bizarre
or fascinating events... I don't really know...
Well, we happened to find one time a decapitated corpse,
next to which lay not one, but three heads.
Think now how long it took us to establish which one corresponded!
It's not funny, is it? No, not really.
I thought not...
Then there's the story of that guard of the cemetery.
But that's been done, right? - I'm afraid so.
Ah yes! The one we called The Eyewitness's Tale, remember?
It was a few years ago. - No.
That Roberta Leoni, such a nice woman, so calm and levelheaded,
who, driving home one night
Thus, for this last film, which will conclude our quartet, we decided
to adapt a true story
and came to this detective for help.
He told us a story, which we find rather strange and disturbing. Roberta's story.
Watch it, it'll interest you...
Good-night then, if you can sleep tonight...
EYEWITNESS
Tavern
The curve! - What's happened?
Call the police! - Why?
They killed a girl!
From the right wheel to the edge of the road: 1.5 meters...
Inspector, we're done.
Okay, okay...
And you, how are you getting on?
Okay, but don't hold your breath. It's been raining.
The same with the fingerprints, right?
Indistinguishable. It looks like an army's been through.
So we're practically at nothing.
And that girl, the witness, where is she?
We left her at the tavern. She's still under shock.
All right.
Here! It'll do you good.
Thank you.
How are you feeling?
A little better.
If it's okay with you, I'd like to go over the details.
Where you the one who called?
No, he did. - That's right.
She ran in here looking really upset
and said there'd been a murder at the curve.
I called you right away, is that what I should have done?
Yeah, you did well.
Did you go to the curve? - Ah, no
I hate seeing dead people
A while ago, one of my aunts on my mother's side...
Okay, okay, some other time...
All right.
I was going home, as usual.
You work in the city?
No.
But I go there often.
Today I went to pick some important documents for my husband,
who's been working out of town for a few days.
I stayed late to go to the cinema with a friend.
Okay. Now let's get to the facts. How exactly did it happen?
I was driving.
A little fast.
70 or 80 kph.
I was nearing the bend, but I didn't slow down,
because I know the road so well.
I curved,
she flew in front of the car, falling...
I broke,
I was sure I hadn't hit her.
And I saw the blood... lot's of it, on the asphalt, too.
Like one? - Thanks.
You didn't see anything else? Tell me.
I got up to get back to the car, that's when I saw the murderer.
Can you describe him?
It's hard, it all happened so quickly.
He was on the other side of the street, behind the bushes.
How did he look like?
He was tall, he was wearing a coat, or a raincoat, dark,
maybe black.
He came forward with his arm raised and he had a gun.
Are you sure it was a gun?
Positive. - And what did you do?
I started running, and I came here.
No, I meant, what did the killer do? Did he follow you?
No, I don't think so, no.
And naturally, he didn't shoot at you? - No.
Would you be able to recognize him?
I don't know, too fast.
Are you at least sure it was a man?
I think so.
I understand. But you realize that we have very little evidence.
A dark figure, a gun. It could be anyone.
A man, a woman, millions of people.
But if you identify the girl.
Right, the girl. Do you feel up to going back there?
Where?
To the curve.
Good, almost the exact same spot.
It's a matter of centimeters.
Now, get out, and show me exactly where the body was.
Well?
It was there.
Okay. Do you mind getting back in now?
I'd like to repeat the last part of the test.
What do you want from me? Don't you see, I can't take it anymore?
It's just a simple test Or are you afraid?
Afraid? Of what? I haven't done anything!
I'm just a witness.
Or do you think I did it?
No, no, no. But that's the problem.
As you say, when there's a killer, there's got to be a victim, a body.
Unfortunately we found neither a killer, nor a victim, nor blood on the pavement.
Absolutely nothing.
Inspector, her husband's here.
Let him in. Come on in.
Hi Roberta. - Hi.
Okay, Mr. Leoni, I called you because...
I guess they told you over the phone.
Yes, a little. - But you didn't understand.
No. - If it's okay with your wife, I'll explain a little better now.
Your wife believes to have witnessed a murder. - A murder?
Yes, eyewitness.
Only, we haven't found a trace of this murder.
Inspector, I'm not crazy.
Have you checked well?
Yes. Of course. Science has done it's best.
I found nothing, not even a bloodstain.
Are you sure about what you saw?
You couldn't be wrong?
Guido, please, not you, too.
No, I'm sorry. I believe you...
They could have taken away the corpse before you arrived.
On the phone they told me you got there later.
Maybe. All we can do now, is check out all recent females disappearances.
See if there's a blonde who fits your wife's description.
But in the meantime, Mr. Leoni, I advise you to stay very close to your wife.
Because, if she really did eyewitness a murder, the killer could show up.
And if this story is made-up,
then I'm sure your wife needs you even more.
Do you understand? - Of course.
You don't believe me either?
What are you talking about?
You're faking.
You heard the inspector?
If they didn't find the body...
Okay, there's no body, I'm crazy,
and you lived with a woman for six years without realizing
that she's off her rocker. Does that seem normal?
Don't talk like that. You're still under shock.
Besides, no matter what happened, it's all over now.
Hello?
Hello? Who's there?
Roberta.
What's wrong? - I'm sorry.
I got scared. - I'm sorry.
Why are you back so early? - I asked for some time off.
Has the police called?
No.
Better that way.
Here.
Why?
What day is it today?
But... - September seventh.
Our anniversary.
Did you have fun?
Yes. A lot.
Why are you looking at me like this?
No, nothing.
I know what you're thinking. That's the curve where it happened.
But don't worry. I could have dreamed it.
Yeah?
It can happen... you just do something crazy.
No, I know you. You're not the type.
Listen, Guido:
Do you love me?
Of course.
How much?
A lot!
Then stop the car! - What?
Pull over. - Here? Here!
Careful! What are you doing? We'll crash!
What is it?
Kiss me! Come on, kiss me! - Here?
I closed it.
I closed it, I swear. I closed it.
What are you doing?
Well, we have to go in, don't you think?
The electricity's out.
What's happened?
Are you sure you closed it? - Of course.
I remember turning the key twice.
Then someone's broken in.
I'm gonna go see upstairs.
Nothing's missing up here.
It's not thieves.
Still, I think we should call the police.
No, better not. - Why not?
What will you tell them? Thieves broke in without stealing anything?
That way they'll think you're insane too.
What are you talking about? We find our front door open...
Exactly, our front door open. They'll say you left it open.
Stop insisting! I told you I locked it.
And I remember seeing the body,
that night.
And the blood.
Hello?
Hello, Mrs. Leoni? - Yes.
It's Inspector Rocchi. Remember me?
Of course. Did you find anything?
Well, not exactly. But if you could come by the office. - When?
When you want. - Right away?
Certainly.
No, it's not this one either.
All these people disappear?
It seems unbelievable, doesn't it? But there's hundreds a year.
Where do they end up? - Who knows?
Look at the one, for example.
Bruna Busoni, twenty-eight.
She goes out shopping one morning and never comes back.
She leaves two kids, four and six years old,
a husband, a comfortable life,
for what?
Who knows? Maybe she is slaving away for some other man,
or maybe... Who knows?
You see, to track down everyone who disappears,
you'd need thousands and thousands of agents.
And moreover:
A lot of these people don't even want to be found.
No, it's not her. Here is the last one, for today.
If you'll take a look at these too.
Pictures of recently found corpses.
No.
I thought as much.
None of these poor girls really fit your description.
Just don't worry over it. If this murder really took place, we'll figure it out,
sooner or later.
You don't really believe me, do you? Be honest!
Ma'am, I'm more than willing to believe you,
but I need at least one piece of evidence.
Until now I've done everything I could.
I've shown you the photos, I sent a notice
to all police-stations in the city
and checked the emergency wards.
You have to realize that I have to take care of an entire neighbourhood.
Know how many people that is? Almost 50.000.
Do you have an idea how many cases I get handed with every day?
Then in your case, there's a body only you have seen.
There's no evidence,
not even a drop of blood.
So with all due respect, you have to have some patience.
Are you okay? - She slipped...
Excuse me, excuse me!
Come, I'll take you to the hospital. - No, no. To the police!
I didn't slip.
Somebody pushed me.
They tried to kill me.
She screamed, and I saw her slip off the sidewalk.
I saw her trip on the sidewalk and fall in front of the car.
I can confirm without a doubt that she slipped by herself.
Whether someone pushed her I really couldn't say.
I saw her slip.
Inspector, you don't have to believe me.
Or you can think I'm a visionary, like last time.
But I assure you that I was pushed...
I felt the pressure of a hand on my back, and then a push.
I didn't slip. They pushed me.
They tried to kill me.
I don't know ma'am.
I never had a case like this!
You say you've seen a body, and there's not a shadow of evidence.
You say your life's been threatened, and every witness contradicts you!
So?
You're either a visionary or a compulsive liar, or...
Or it's all true, you saw a murder and now this person wants to get rid of you.
By now you've become an uncomfortable witness, dangerous...
And you believe... - I believe,
that you are as sane as they come.
That despite everything that's happened your brains and nerves are in place.
In short: you're not crazy.
And what you say you've seen, you've seen it.
You're not making fun of me? - Oh, come on...
See, Roberta,
I like you, you know?
You have character, you didn't lose hope,
you didn't let yourself go, and... I will help you.
Yes, damned, no matter what it takes, I want to catch that son of a
Excuse me! ...that delinquent who's been tormenting you.
But you have to promise me something. - What?
For the next few days, leave the house as little as possible.
Be with your husband.
Don't expose yourself.
Whoever tried could try again.
Now where will you go? - Home.
Is your husband in? - No, he's out of town.
Can't you stay with a neighbour?
No, we live on an isolated lot, there are no neighbours.
Listen to me. Close yourself in the house. Open the door only for people
you know really, really well. Do you promise?
Of course. - If anything should happen, call me, at any time.
Here is my personal number.
Just call me at any time...
From now on, Inspector Rocchi works for you.
Hello.
- Roberta!
Yes. - You've gone too far. Now I have to kill you.
Who is this?
You know perfectly well! - But I didn't see anyone!
I couldn't identify the corpse, I don't know who you are, I swear...
You've seen too much Roberta.
You should have just forgotten, but you didn't want to.
Now I'm coming over to kill you.
My husband's here, you'll never make it.
No. Dear Roberta, your husband is out of town and he's coming late. You're alone.
Hello! - Yes, hello. Who would you like?
Inspector Rocchi...
Hello!
What are you doing? Calm down! - They want to kill me!
What do you say? - They want to kill me! The phone call!
Calm down! What happened?
Calm down, Roberta, calm down. - The phone call!
Tell me darling...
Come inside and calm down. Explain what happened.
Bastard!
Goddamn bastard!
What are you trying to get in for?
The windows, quick, help me! Close all the blinds!
Good, now stay there, behind the couch.
Lie down, don't move.
I'll be here against the wall.
Wait a minute!
What did that voice on the phone say?
Did he knew you were alone? - Yes!
And that I'd be home late?
He knows everything about us, I don't know how!
It's strange I know, but we'll think about that tomorrow...
What's important is that he knows I'd be home late, like I was supposed to.
He can't know that I got in at eight.
But why?
But it is, it's important...
I have an idea, Roberta, but you have to be brave!
Yes.
He knows you're alone,
but if he sees my car he'll know right away that I'm back.
So here goes:
I'll go out and drive the car away, I'll leave it to the woods.
Then I will return, but I won't come back into the house.
No, don't be scared.
I'll hide behind the bushes, under the bedroom.
You go upstairs,
take your clothes off, naturally, as though you were going to bed,
as though the phone-call hadn't upset you.
We'll stay in contact by voice.
I'm armed
Hidden, no one will see me.
And if someone tries to break in, I'll shoot him!
But, you think... - Of course!
He's convinced he'll find no obstacle,
and when I see him at the door
You have to stay calm though, be brave.
You have to act your part perfectly, okay?
I'm going... Good luck love.
There's not much time.
Guido, are you there?
Guido!
Everything's okay, Roberta. But lower your voice.
I just got here. Everything's fine!
How is it going? - Fine, it's all good.
What's happening? - Nothing. Everything's fine.
It's not Guido's voice...
What do I do now? It wasn't his voice!
Roberta, it's all useless! You can't stop me from entering.
Throw that down, you imbecile.
What have you done to Guido? You've killed him!
Killed him?
How is your hand? - The pain's killing me, damn it!
Come on, Anna, get it over with, I'm loosing blood. - Alright.
What's going on? I feel like I'm going crazy! Why? Why?
You want to know why? Because you Guido's never been yours.
Because I hate you Roberta.
I hate you and this house, and your lies and your hysterics.
And then, I've found a woman.
A real woman Roberta! - We decided together to kill you.
It'll all be really simple.
The police has always taken you for a madwoman.
But you insisted. Someone tried to kill you by pushing you under a car.
The killer naturally,
eliminating an eyewitness.
Then one night, you get killed by someone, someone who has to break in...
Your husband? What has he got to do with it, in love as he is?
Not that he'd have to break into the house.
In an hour, he'll be back home,
and he'll call the police,
shocked to find that his wife's been killed.
Anna, go on, kill her!
The hand, how will you explain the hand?
Don't worry, I'll find an excuse... Kill her!
But I say
did you really think we were that stupid?
Think about it.
We aren't that stupid!
We're not like little kids!
What did you think, that we'd fall for all your lies?
We would have caught you anyway,
even if you'd killed that poor woman.
Get outta here!
How is she? - She's passed out.
Find a phone and call the doctor. - Okay.
Inspector. - Yes?
Thank you.
For doing what?
Wait!
Listen, who called you?
No one.
We got here by pure chance.
The river-police informed us,
that a photo came in, of a female corpse found in the river.
A girl who fit your description of the murder victim.
We came over here to show it to you.
Now we know it's not her.
But keep the photo.
This poor dead girl... this stranger
Saved your life.