Request for Assistance A-15/99
Hi.
Torben!
- Look who's here. - Back early?
We had to give up.
We were always going to be troubled by a crafty killer.
- And we just met one. - He's talking shit.
- We got a full confession. - Bravo.
The case didn't get going till I arrived.
- Impressive work as usual. - Cut out the praise, Ulf.
- Torben's full of it. - Or deluded?
Why not go polish your nails?
Who'd fix up your mess then?
Ulf!
Where's that cheap bubbly? The soccer's on soon.
- Your wife never sees you. - She loves me watching soccer.
- Some marriage, Fischer! - I agree. See you.
- Want a drink? - I have an interrogation.
Now?
- Jesper Olesen's been busy. - Targeting our best people?
He was offered heroin and asked for a sample.
The politicians want us to box his ears.
- It may be more complicated. - Don't exaggerate.
She gets full marks for persistence as usual.
Yes, and for the best arse on the force.
Questioning of Detective Inspector Jesper Olesen 19:32, Thursday June 17
I'm really sorry. I forgot the time.
I ran into a soccer match.
Look here. I've recorded the events.
I called your boss
and he recommended I should do my own report.
Just check the grammar and I'll sign it.
- So I get to catch the match. - Let's take it from the top.
Sit down.
It's June 17 at 19.33. Present are DI Jesper Olesen
and Deputy Detective Commissioner Ingrid Dahl.
I had an offer of 14 kilos and asked for a sample.
I called the unit who arrived and seized the lot.
I know I broke the rules by asking to see it
and I'm complicit in a crime, blah, blah...
But if I hadn't done it we wouldn't have found the shit.
- Are we done? - We'll be done when I say so.
Hey, Monty.
- Back home, Torben? - For now at least.
Come on, Monty.
During the 18 months you've worked as an agent
we've made four seizures after your tip-offs.
I'm getting a medal?
Who's your informant?
- They tell me it's Birko. - So why ask?
- So who's informing him? - Why are we wasting our time?
The unit says he's a big dealer so...
when he tips you off
you're getting rid of his competition.
In my time in the field we've seized more junk than ever.
- We don't deal with criminals. - All the time, sweetie!
It's quid pro quo, and now we know
that Birko's the only one left.
Lately you've executed two raids.
- Without finding anything! - Change of luck.
One might suspect that he was tipped off.
Darling, I'm off to watch the football.
Weren't you recently in London with your girlfriend?
- Was it a good trip? - Yes.
Fucking day and night. Ever tried it?
You flew business class and stayed at the Savoy.
- So what? - Here's your bank statement.
With big transfers from her account.
- She's a generous girl. - She works in a store.
Her statement...
shows big deposits from one of Birko's companies.
She consulted for them. Bugger-all to do with me.
And you've never talked by phone to Birko?
- For the tape, please. - Yes, that's correct.
Please explain these telephone calls
from your mobile to his.
Two dates, both after the unit decided to raid him.
He's your informant and you're his.
Plus which, he paid you for it.
- Anything you want to add? - Yes.
Up yours!
Monty!
Come here. Were you visiting Torben?
Did you miss him that much?
UNIT ONE
The public prosecutor told me.
I felt so small,
ignorant that my own staff were investigating
Episode 1
I'd appreciate being told. Beforehand!
- I tried. - Not to my satisfaction.
You were busy with the Haderslev case.
If we can't communicate between ourselves, what then?
I agree. And we can talk about it if...
Ulf Thomsen.
Lysberg? What can I do for you?
What are you saying? How?
I'll come at once.
Ulf? What's happening?
Home of the murder victim 23:10, Thursday June 17
- Hello, Ulf. - Hi.
- Question everyone nearby. - It's being done.
Ulf.
They're not finished.
You can't come in.
- You know who I am? - Yes.
- You can't come in yet. - Listen, Nielsen...
Torben was my deputy and a friend for 25 years.
But take off your shoes.
- Do we know who he is? - Not yet.
Ulf, I'd like your help of course.
No need to ask. You've got it.
Torben's own team will come up here.
What should we make of the other one?
Meaning?
I mean, I didn't know Torben as well as you did.
If those cryptic remarks
allude to a homosexual motive, you can forget it.
What's wrong?
Torben was killed at his home this evening.
- No. - I must get the others.
We'll go up there at once.
- Will you be in charge? - I don't know.
- It would make sense. - Kirsten, honestly...
I'm sorry. Darling!
I'm very sorry.
Crime scene, 02:15, Friday June 18
We've checked all the houses. No one saw anything unusual.
Most were watching the match.
- What did you ask? You are? - Claus.
You asked if they'd seen anything unusual?
Where did you train?
They say what they saw. We decide if it's unusual.
You know what you do now? You go back and ask them again.
I'll do it myself.
Thanks, Claus.
Remember to give me all reports before you leave.
Yes.
Postcard from your dad.
From the beach.
- I'm ready. - I just tucked you in.
- I can't be bothered sleeping. - You've been up all night.
- Why were you up? - I was marking essays.
I've now earned my holiday.
Anne from my class is also going to Norway.
- You might meet. - Not interested.
- Your bag... - It's the last day of school.
- Let's go mountain climbing. - But keep that on.
- Fine with me. - No, go to bed.
I'm going to work. Read the paper.
What is it?
Murdered with friend...
Office of the chief of police 08:45, Friday June 18
- Who was the other man? - Henning Ravn.
A doctor.
A bachelor who'd been staying at Torben's.
- We don't know why. - And your opinion on that?
It's absurd. It reads as if they killed each other
out of homosexual jealousy.
If that were the case
one would have had to swallow the knife.
Any next of kin?
What, then?
Remember Bruno Gravesen?
A convicted murderer of eight years ago.
Very violent. Fatally so.
Torben cracked him.
He threatened to kill Torben when he got out.
- He got out two weeks ago. - Interesting.
His girlfriend hasn't seen him.
We've got the whole machinery up and running.
Have you thought about Torben's successor?
The most natural would be IP, his second-in-command.
As a stopgap till we find a younger man.
There's another possibility.
- Your Special Cases chief. - Ingrid Dahl?
Smoke?
Thanks.
The public prosecutor praised her investigation of Olesen.
- She's absolutely capable. - And you trained her.
But as chief of Homicide? No woman has ever had that job.
Don't misunderstand me, but...
She'd be away from home a lot and she has small children.
- He's eleven! - If he gets the measles...
- Would we close shop? - And she has a husband.
This is not the time for experiments.
She's worked in Homicide before
and got top marks all round.
With all respect for macho habitual thinking
I find it difficult to see how you can overlook her.
Right?
It can't be true!
People just don't disappear.
After all, this is Denmark.
Lean harder on the girlfriend. I'm sure she knows where he is.
Fine. Call me. Okay.
Haven't you found Bruno yet?
A pair of lovely boys, eh? The FBI Course in 1995.
Torben was the best. I feared they'd keep him.
I'll spare you my sentimental chatter.
- Who is she? - That's Signe.
- Torben's daughter. - I didn't know about her.
She moved to England. Gaby's looking for her.
Well...
I've come to a decision.
Would you consider leading the investigation?
Acting chief of Homicide as of today.
- Am I not making myself clear? - Yes, absolutely.
- What about IP? - Meaning?
- Has he been told? - Of course.
- Is he in agreement? - I didn't ask him.
I bypassed 300 men when I became commissioner.
I wasn't very popular. You'll have to earn that first.
It's taxing. Taxing on one's family life, on...
holidays, public holidays, evenings...
Better be prepared for that or say no.
Should I?
- What? - I suspect that...
you're trying to frighten me off.
That's precisely what I can't abide about you.
- I'm sorry. - I'm being realistic.
I know the realities.
- And I accept. - Fine.
You're expected in Hillerød.
And...
How I vote on your final appointment
depends totally on how you manage this.
- Fair enough. - And I'll be properly informed?
- Yes, of course. - Fine. That's all.
Go and find him for me.
Hi, Søren. I want to tell you something.
I've been put in charge of the investigation.
It could cause us problems with the holiday.
We'll talk when I get home. Bye, darling.
Hillerod Police Station 11:15, June 18
Where do I find Unit One?
- What's it about? - Down in the basement.
The basement?
- Are you lost? - Hi, Fischer.
- Yes. What now? - Here's the report.
We need three copies. Can you find the time?
Shall I show you to our luxurious rooms?
But she's lied to us once.
What's Bruno doing in Jutland?
This is it.
- Impressive? - Hi, Gaby.
He got the computers going in two hours.
- Not like the shop in Haderslev. - That was Torben's style.
- Hi, IP. - Hi, Ingrid. Welcome.
Thanks.
Shall we start?
- We started last night. - Yes, of course.
Where are we with Bruno?
His girlfriend has admitted he came to see her.
- After he got out. - A fortnight ago?
She doesn't know why he went to Jutland.
She got scared when she knew why we were looking for him.
That could be all she knows.
- You think he's our man? - Yes. The best bet.
Motive - revenge.
Any other possibilities?
Male prostitute?
- Is that a joke? - It's a possibility.
- Just drop it. - Two men living together...
- Stabbed. One in his bed. - Torben...
Yes. Did you know him well?
Did he say he had a friend staying?
A divorcee, like Torben, whose house was being done up.
Know what he said in every new town?
- No. - He said...
"New town, new pussy."
But did you ever see him do anything about it?
So take some men from the local squad
and check every gay bar from here to Copenhagen.
- Seriously? - I want to know if Torben
and Henning Ravn were known there.
Ingrid's right. Of course it has to be checked.
I'm off to see LaCour.
- You've worked with her before? - Yes.
And now she's almost commissioner...
Fast mover...
What about moving a bit fast yourself?
Crime Scene 14:35, Friday June 18
- Hi, LaCour. - Hello.
Got any ideas?
None.
I've been over it again and again
but I can't find any logic to all this.
You've been here all night?
Forensics says Torben and Ravn sat here, watching TV.
Henning Ravn goes to bed.
Torben answers the door and brings the killer in here.
He's stabbed there at first.
He flees in here where he is stabbed twice.
Henning Ravn wakes up and comes in.
Thinking Torben was alone, the killer panics.
He stabs Henning who runs into the bedroom
where the killer finishes him off.
But...
would Torben have invited Bruno in here?
Who had threatened his life?
And be taken by surprise? Torben was very fit.
Tell me about him.
He was...
He was one of the best cops I've ever known.
But he never invited me into his home.
Ingrid.
Yes.
Let me have it in writing very soon.
Thanks.
Forensics says both men had alcohol in their blood.
Torben and Ulf were drinking champagne.
- How much did he drink? - Enough to take a taxi.
He might have been a bit drunk, and tired after Haderslev.
- Reason enough for sloppiness? - Perhaps.
Torben was fixated that details
were the key to the exact moment of the crime.
- Follow that sequence... - LaCour, you're exhausted.
Do me a favour. Go home and sleep.
Oh, yes. We found this.
It's Torben's. His daughter's address is there.
She may have moved to Ireland.
The number's crossed out. See what you can do.
- That was Aalborg... - Bruno?
He used his mobile. Two different signals.
A week ago... We'll check his acquaintances.
We have a confession. He's upstairs.
The policeman called me.
When I arrived I saw there were two of them.
That was all right.
I told them it would cost a bit more.
They said it was okay.
I sucked one guy's dick while the other buggered me.
Afterwards they refused to pay and they threatened me.
And then?
I...
I shot them.
Victor... Why did you turn yourself in?
- They told me to. - Who did?
The voices.
If you confessed, you'd be forgiven?
Yes.
Fine, Victor. You're forgiven.
Go home.
Thanks.
You're Ingrid? Chief Constable Hans Lysberg.
Welcome. Please tell us if we can help with anything.
If you could keep the worst nutters at bay...
We located some of Bruno's friends in Aalborg
but they weren't home.
We're still watching them.
I've found Torben's daughter. Will you, or shall I?
Hello, is this Signe Rønne?
You're talking to Ingrid Dahl from Unit One.
I'm a colleague of your dad's.
I've got some very sad news.
Hello?
What's up?
The phones are playing up.
Have them fixed! I'm in the middle of...
Signe? Our phones are out of order.
Yes. He's dead.
Last night.
Signe?
Is someone with you?
It's Torben's daughter.
- Get any tempting offers? - Of course.
A shame I was so damned tired.
- How are things? - Like shit.
Bruno?
How did she take it?
- What did you find out? - A waste of time.
No one in the gay bars knows Torben or Henning.
Henning was Signe's godfather, and straight.
She told me he was a real womaniser.
We're wasting time. Nothing's happening.
What else?
- Ingrid? Any suggestions? - Yes, get some sleep.
- Like hell I will. - Good night, Fischer.
- Let me just... - We need you fresh tomorrow.
- Yes, okay. Good night. - Good night.
Drinks?
- Coffee, please. - IP?
- May I say something? - Yes.
Fischer should have stayed.
- But he was dog-tired. - He should have stayed.
None of us can sleep anyway.
Interpol's found Bruno. In a prison in Rotterdam...
He's not our man. He's been there for a week.
Let's call it a day.
- Thanks for today. - You're welcome. IP...
Thanks for your cooperation.
- I know you had counted on... - It's ten years too late.
You've always wanted the job, right?
- How did you know? - I've kept an eye on you.
- Would Torben have nailed this? - It's only been 24 hours.
His last case took three weeks. You're doing well.
- Thanks for your support. - See you.
A toast to Denmark's first female chief of Homicide.
Only if I solve this case. And that doesn't look like it.
- Old Ulf is sweet on you. - It has nothing to do with him.
I'm sure the chief of police had some influence.
So you're happy with things?
I want the job for my merits, not my sex.
I chose you because of your sex.
Is this about getting Dad's approval?
Don't analyse me.
What about the holiday?
- It's off. I've told Tobias. - What did he say?
- What do you think? - It's okay, Mum.
You can't go away while a cop killer's free.
Come here.
I'm on the computer...
- Congratulations. - Thanks.
- I was lucky with him. - May I say something here?
What?
You're very good at your work.
But?
You're no good at reading your son's signals.
- He was very upset about it. - He wasn't.
He has to be the big, grown-up son for his mum, right?
- Now you're upsetting me. - I don't mean to.
- We were alone for a long time. - It's not that bad.
- Should I back out at work? - No, no.
Shouldn't I go on holiday with him?
Yes.
- I could take my daughter too. - Good idea.
- You're so sweet. - No, I'm an egoist.
My hiking boots need to scale a mountain.
And that's okay with you?
- Taking what they dish out? - You're probably right.
You won't even argue.
Should I have told Ulf "I want that job"?
What an interesting change.
- And resigned if he'd said no? - Yes.
That's what they deserve.
What would we live off? Your bit roles at the theatre?
A divorce?
- And you let a youngster... - She's good.
- You'd like a female boss. - I'm used to it from home.
...petrol station at 21.39...
- Good morning. - Morning.
What if we were wrong from the start?
What if this is not about Torben but about Henning Ravn?
Here's Torben's lounge room and the bedroom.
Torben was found here and Henning here.
We've assumed that Torben was killed before Henning.
What if Henning was killed before Torben
and Henning was the target?
Torben came home and was taken by surprise and stabbed.
- Interesting, but impossible. - Why?
Forensics has Torben drinking beer in the lounge.
I thought so, till I saw this.
Torben went to a petrol station to buy cigarettes at half-time.
He wasn't in the house for some 20 minutes.
Maybe Henning had a visitor.
Guess what genius wrote a report without telling us.
Relax. No more killings!
- The motive? - Don't know.
- Henning's details? - Single doctor, lots of women.
And Torben's daughter said Henning had a longer-term affair.
- A local. - Ida Friis.
Ida Friis?
I'll locate her.
Ingrid.
Hi, Lysberg.
We've arrested someone on another charge.
He has something of interest.
He'll only talk to the chief.
I know... But you should hear him out.
- I wanted the chief. - That's me. What have you got?
Not with him present.
- I know about the murders. - I'm listening.
Yes... But it will cost you.
I had some priors before they nabbed me.
- Prisons piss me off. - That's the whole idea.
A cop with a sense of humour!
I know who did it, why he did it and how he did it.
If so, you're obliged to tell us.
- I know nothing. - We're in Denmark, not the US.
We don't do deals with criminals regarding reduced sentences.
Where were the corpses?
One in the bedroom and the cop in the lounge.
I'll call you later.
Ida Friis committed suicide a fortnight ago.
I'm looking for her son.
The chief of police wants to see you!
- Did he have anything? - He knows the murderer.
He knows who killed Torben?
- He wants a reduced sentence. - Out of the question.
We'll just have to talk to his family, friends...
- That could take weeks. - What, then?
Cut a deal?
I totally agree with Ingrid Dahl.
Yes, but we're talking about a police murder.
Helge, stop being so pedantic.
Think creatively for once.
Yes!
Thank you.
- The chief prosecutor... - Not keen?
He owes me some favours...
Well... Have you settled in well?
In the basement with faulty phones.
Have you heard my bright idea?
I tried to sell it to Ulf once.
- A mobile office. - Mobile office?
- May I? - Please.
I would have told you that Torben left the house.
But... it slipped my mind.
- I'm sorry. - This may cheer you up, then.
Henning Ravn's stuff. Thanks.
He was storing his things here during the renovations.
We want to find his personal papers
which are in here somewhere.
So... get going, eh?
Have fun.
No need to cart equipment back and forth, you just take it along.
Yes? What's your decision?
No, no. I understand. You can't bypass him.
Yes. Thank you.
He'll okay it when the local prosecutor's sworn in.
- He'll get him to call you. - Fine.
Want to grab some lunch
with some female executives who meet occasionally?
That's not me.
I just want to be a good cop.
We're holding a man who knows Torben's murderer?
Allow me to have a little chat with him.
Stay here!
Maybe you don't give a shit, but the rest of us do.
- Don't touch him. - You know what he needs?
Cool it!
- I don't believe this. - Ingrid Dahl here.
Great news.
Could you fax it to me? Thank you.
When charged, all you'll get is a suspended sentence.
No! It stays here.
What's said here stays between us.
- Give me a name. - Dennis.
- Dennis Friis. - Dennis Friis?
Did his mum live with Henning Ravn?
That's what this is all about.
After a gap of many years, Dennis ran into Henning.
He told him his mother had kicked the bucket.
And?
Henning rubbished his mum and Dennis flipped out.
That same evening he went out there and...
- How do you know? - We both work at the gym.
After the match I found Dennis spewing in the loo.
He spilled his guts to me, saying he'd killed two guys.
Dennis Friis?
A word, please?
About Henning?
I read about it in the papers.
He stayed with you and your mum?
It didn't work out.
- Mum wasn't easy. - And him?
He was okay.
I haven't seen him for years. I'm sad he died.
For years?
You live locally and didn't run into each other?
No.
- What are you doing? - Trying to lift 300 kilos.
- I work relief here. - And two days ago?
Yes. We were all watching the match.
You were?
Don't waste our time.
At least ten people confirm Dennis was watching TV.
- He left in the middle. - And no one saw him?
I did. I saw him from the bar.
I saw something was up.
When he got back he'd changed gear.
- Is he lying to get off? - I don't think so.
You saw the centre.
Could he have left unnoticed from the back?
- In theory. Yes. - That's enough.
- He has the motive. - Revenge?
On the word of a criminal!
Find the knife. He changed at home.
Shall we pay him a visit?
- We won't get a warrant. - We could call when he's out.
Fine. Let's get it over and done with.
Why not? Now we've started.
Look. All these are from his mother's funeral.
- Don't they go on the grave? - Yes, but he's kept them.
Yes...
- Shall we start? - Yes.
The chief of police tells me you went behind my back.
- I thought you'd agree. - That's not the point.
The fact is, I wasn't told.
- You also rehashed old stuff. - What?
The mobile office.
All applications go through me, right?
It just popped up. I didn't apply for it.
That's how it was taken.
- Yes? - No murder weapon at Dennis's.
Hi, Ulf.
Wait...
- What search? - Hardly a search...
- Without a search warrant? - We had no choice.
Ingrid, I didn't hear this.
Forensics can identify the knife from metal traces they've found.
Ulf.
Now you can do this investigation a big favour.
How?
Hillerød police may have found the murder weapon.
Ulf Thomsen is here with me.
Do you view this discovery as a definite breakthrough?
No, it's too early to say.
We'll have to wait for Forensics.
- They can work wonders. - Great, Ulf.
If Dennis doesn't go for the knife, he's not our man.
Surveillance of suspect 20:08, Saturday June 19
Nothing's happening.
- What if it isn't him? - You saw the flowers.
Yes. So he loves his mother, that doesn't make him a killer.
What if it isn't him? Ingrid's brilliant plan fails.
- Your optimism is contagious. - I'm a realist.
We could be sitting here waiting
while the real killer is dissolving the knife in acid.
- That's funny. - Thanks.
- Too late? - I think they've left.
Then I've got the whole house to myself.
Oh, well...
"Die Flle fhrt zur Klarheit.
"Lm Abgrund wohnt die Warheit."
What's that?
One of Torben's favourite quotes. Schiller...
I never understood it.
Only fullness leads to clarity.
The truth dwells in the abyss.
I get that, but what does it mean?
First you look at the big picture,
then you look into the human abyss.
Know what I'm looking at?
A man in a bed-sitter jerking off.
- It's been two hours. - He'll move.
- Are you still seeing... - Rasmus?
Yes.
I can't handle cops. That's all we meet. And crooks.
The way we behave, we're one and the same.
- What's that? - Henning's personal papers.
That's what you wanted, eh?
Tax returns, letters, insurance, receipts and all that.
- Great. - He's on the move.
- Is he going to training? - At this hour?
Fischer...
You've been here before. What's that?
The toilet, I think.
Hell! He puked in the loo.
Oh, it's you! I thought it was a break-in.
- Give me your hand. - I told you, I work here.
- I'm cleaning. At night. - The other hand!
Dennis Friis... It's 23.31. You're under arrest.
Hey, Fischer.
Interrogation of suspect 01 L35, Sunday June 20
You don't have to talk for our benefit.
We've got your knife.
Forensics will find something.
You left oodles of tracks in your flat.
Your clothes, your shoes, a hair you lost...
Do you want a cola?
Yes. I'll get it.
Dennis, you've just lost your mother.
Was it hard for you?
We saw all the flowers from her funeral in your flat.
You ran into Henning in the street two days ago.
Was he happy to see you?
You were very fond of Henning, weren't you?
We found some letters you wrote to him.
"Dear Dad..." Is that what you called him?
Or was that what he wanted?
"When will you visit us? I miss you and so does Mum."
You were 15 when you wrote that.
Here's another one.
"Dear Dad, I've bought two tickets to the soccer match.
"One is for you."
Did he turn up?
Or did you sit next to an empty seat during the match?
When you met him, did you tell him your mother was dead?
Was he sad? Or just indifferent?
- I can see why you got angry. - He said Mum...
That my mum was a good screw, but crazy.
And that I hadn't looked after her.
He said I had let her down.
He let her down.
She'd been sick since he left her.
That was why she took those pills.
You wanted to tell him so you went there that night?
Yes. I just wanted to scare him.
But suddenly I'd stabbed him.
What then?
I looked for something to stop the bleeding.
I wanted to help him.
But when I got back...
he was hiding in the bedroom.
He was calling the police.
I stabbed him again.
Then the other one came home.
I didn't mean to.
He had nothing to do with it.
- She's good. - Yes.
Torben wanted to get closer to the moment of the crime.
And the last thing he did was to step right into it.
Yes...
Well...
- There's still time. - For what?
Your family in Norway.
I have to write up the case.
- I'll do that. - No way.
I worked with a chief for eight years
who ruined his marriage because of the job.
I don't want a repeat of that.
Copenhagen Police Headquarters 09:54, Monday August 3
Has she bought an office or a container?
It was bloody expensive.
- Did she apply for the job? - No.
- The deadline's today? - Yes.
- Haven't you been inside? - We're waiting for you.
- You know the deadline's today? - Yes. Thanks for reminding me.
Here!
Come on.
Dennis Friis was sent to prison for ten years for the murders of Torben Rome and Henning Ravn