Request for Assistance A-26/00
Buchardt Chocolate, Silkeborg 14.05, Monday September 18
- He's a real stud. - Dead gorgeous.
We'll meet at my place and go from there.
Your tickets for Milan.
Be at the airport by 10 tomorrow.
And please stop by in Tallinn on your way home.
Yes, okay.
I'll make a reservation and send the contract.
Inge... Can you please call my wife?
It will be a long meeting so I'll sleep at the cottage.
Just don't forget the airport at 10.
- Have a nice trip. - Thanks, darling.
Hi.
Hi there.
Can you keep a secret?
So Mum asked "Where are you going?"
"I'm sleeping at Line's."
What if your mother calls Line?
I'll tell her I slept at Maybritt's.
And you're not afraid at all?
No. Why?
Alone with the big bad wolf.
So... what was the secret?
- Forget it. - No, tell me.
If you're good, I'll take you to Italy next time.
And... if I'm bad?
We'll go around the world.
What's this?
That's for very, very bad girls.
Gaby here. Hi, Ingrid.
Yes, I'm at the airport.
Johnny and his boys just arrived back from Paris.
Okay, I admit, I did miss him.
Damn it.
In Silkeborg? We'll come as soon as we can.
Bye for now.
Are you coming, Mette?
Did customs stop you? Got the lot?
You've got your bag? Are you all right?
Just a sec.
- I've landed. - Silkeborg...
A murder in a holiday house.
- I'll pick you up. - Don't bother.
Are we going?
UNIT ONE
EPISODE 12
- What's happening? - It's Silkeborg this time.
- Oh, no. - Yes, I'm really sorry.
What about the talented Ingrid?
- No, they need a skilled man. - I do too.
You don't leave your woman just after...
Come with me.
- I'm expected at the theatre. - Oh, that's right.
Car keys, credit card, cigarettes...
And lighter...
We could go to London when this is over.
- Nice. - Or you got enough last time?
- Lise and I never... - I wasn't thinking of Lise.
- I didn't go with Ulf... - You flew SAS?
I always get those. I've no idea where I got it.
- Enjoy yourself! - Kirsten... I'm sorry.
- I thought we were over that. - We are.
We are.
Crime scene, Silkeborg 12.05, Tuesday September 19
It was reported at 07.45 by two workmen repairing a leak.
- Did they have a key? - Yes.
- Has anything been stolen? - Apparently not.
But there was a lot of drinking.
He was found with this on his head.
Tied with the cutest little bow.
There's evidence of a female, including hairs.
Looks like a sex game gone wrong... asphyxiation.
Choking's a turn-on?
A lack of oxygen is meant to heighten orgasm.
Yes, but it wasn't that. He died before anything happened.
Look at how he's lying. He seems almost relaxed.
If he'd been awake when it happened,
wouldn't his body be contorted from the death struggle?
- Premeditated murder? - Or he fell asleep while pissed.
And then she turns up, handcuffs him,
puts the bag over his head and ties it.
Why?
I don't know. It could be something else.
- Are you done with him? - Yes.
Get him to Forensics and grab Boysen.
Silkeborg Police Station 13.05, Tuesday September 19
Didn't you come with Johnny? Wasn't he on the plane?
Yes, with his boys and their mum.
- He took his ex to Paris? - Apparently.
- Are they back together? - Don't know, don't care.
- How was Johnny's trip? - I don't know.
- You didn't come with him? - No.
- Something we don't know? - Yes... Hi, Ida.
- Welcome. - Thanks.
- Have you met Gaby? - Hi.
- And Fischer? - Hi.
- I think I've heard of you. - Lots of Fischers.
- What do we know? - Thorkild Buchardt.
He's 52, director and founder of the chocolate factory.
Happy, popular, smart.
Not smart to put your head in a bag.
Not if he did it. Who was with him?
A girl, it appears. Buchardt was into young girls.
- A rumour or a fact? - A rumour, but convincing.
And the girls? Did they like him too?
- People found him charming. - Maybe his wallet was charming.
- What do you mean? - Well... look at him.
- There's a Mrs Buchardt? - She keeps ringing.
She feels we haven't kept her informed.
- Why is that? - We were waiting for you.
- So she's unaware of this? - Yes.
- Hi. - Hi, LaCour.
His diary entry for yesterday lists a number.
"324 at 7.30."
- Do we know what that means? - No.
Okay.
So... I'm Ingrid. Thanks for being here.
LaCour, the crime scene. Fischer, interviews.
- Reports to Gaby. IP? - The rest.
Okay, I suggest you start at the factory.
- I can come too. - Fine.
Not a bad idea. Let's get started.
Glad you finally found time!
I have to notify the family.
Deceased's home, Silkeborg 14.15, Tuesday September 19
I went to the cottage, I couldn't get in.
He's dead, and nobody tells me anything.
- He was strangled. - Thanks. I knew that already.
- It seems he wasn't alone. - Sorry, but isn't that obvious?
What is it that I can't be told?
We're investigating. What do you want to know?
Just get to the point.
We're not sure, but it looks like a sex game that went wrong.
That sounds like Thorkild.
He was found with a plastic bag over his head.
He was naked, cuffed to the bed and he'd clearly been with...
A young girl.
Poor old fool!
Any idea who it was?
Thorkild didn't tell me about his girls.
But...
It's probably not a prostitute.
He hadn't gone that far... yet.
- Then who? - Business associates.
The factory... the golf club...
How did you feel about his... girls?
It made me sad.
But... I really did love him.
He was the most generous... I'm starting to blubber.
The most generous human being, but also unbearable.
When you reach my age...
you try to adjust.
The ideal marriage... it doesn't exist.
Why do we torture ourselves with romantic ideas
about growing old with our one and only love in eternal fidelity?
It doesn't exist.
- Ever got angry? - Yes!
But not angry enough to kill him.
Thorkild was faithful... very... in his own way.
He'd never have left me.
Excuse me, but I'd prefer if you didn't.
- Hi. - Do you mind?
I bought you a present.
Won't you open it?
I'll do it myself.
No, thanks.
- Maybe it's not your label. - I was at the airport.
When was it arranged Mette would go to Paris?
"Arranged"? We...
The boys are upset.
We wanted to show them we can be friends.
I'd have understood... But why didn't you tell me?
No... I knew that if I said...
We call each other every night to say good night.
I, the big idiot, call you every night.
And after that, you turn over to her.
No!
You slept in the same room?
Yes, but the boys were there and we...
Johnny, you know what? This just isn't me. It just isn't.
Maybe you can live with a lie, but I can't.
Good morning. Hi, Johnny.
We'll look at Buchardt's finances and check out his wife. Right?
Yes.
We'll call when we're done.
Johnny...
Don't forget this.
It's not always the only reason.
Christ, that's bullshit!
She was with her boss by coincidence?
She couldn't find an aging storeman to fuck?
She wanted to fuck the rich boss.
She likes him! It's about affirmation.
When you're with your wife, or "fucking" her as you'd say,
it's about affirmation, right?
So his money means nothing?
I don't think so. He could be really nice.
Right. How well did you know Buchardt?
Quite well. Want to come home and see my chocolates?
Shut up.
His diary was free for last night.
And he didn't say anything to you?
He... asked me to call his wife to say he'd sleep at the cottage.
Did he do that often?
Well...
Quite often.
We think he was with a woman
and she could be involved.
Thorkild had a favourite quote by Billy Wilder...
"I want to die in the arms of a young woman when I'm 100,
"shot in the back... by her husband."
Does the number 324 mean anything to you?
Yes, of course... Just a moment.
Billy Wilder?
Hollywood director.
Soe Like It Hot.
With Marilyn Monroe.
324... It's a personnel number. Signe Nørgård.
Signe... Signe!
Got a minute to talk?
Resisting that chocolate isn't hard?
- No... - No? Oh.
Hell, I'd find it hard.
Signe, I'm IP Jørgensen, detective chief inspector.
You should see the chocolate!
If I worked there, I'd be a fat pig.
September 19, at 14.50. Interrogation of Signe Nørgård.
DI Fischer and DCI Jørgensen present.
I just spoke to your mum. You were out last night?
I... I slept at a friend's place.
- What's her name, your friend? - Line.
- Okay. - Petersen.
- With a T or a D? - With a T.
- Her address? - 12 Hortensiavej St.
In Silkeborg?
Phone number?
I can't remember. It's in my book.
It doesn't matter.
Right.
We don't believe that.
We think you were with your boss in his cottage.
I... I wasn't.
What if we've found your prints?
It must be from last Friday.
There was a staff party there.
Was it fun?
Yes...
Was that the first time he came on to you?
That's what we heard.
How did you feel about Buchardt?
Everyone liked Thorkild.
Signe, do you know what DNA is?
The bed linen was fresh.
A woman leaves a trace after being with a man.
You know what I mean?
The linen will show if you were there.
I was with Line. Just ask.
You know how Buchardt died?
He died like this... and this... and this.
Oh, no!
Did you cuff him to the bed?
No.
And put the bag over his head? Well?
No.
And the bow? Who did that? Did you do it, Signe?
Thorkild was alive when I left.
Okay. Let's start again.
I wake up...
He's lying there, snoring...
Maybe he's still handcuffed.
I take the plastic bag...
- Do you have a second? - Sure.
Damn! It's the cleanest body ever.
Usually a number one or number two is left behind.
He'd either just been
or he had unnatural control of his wee and poo muscles.
But I think I've found the answer.
The place was recently scrubbed thoroughly.
But not enough. It never is.
They've just confirmed traces of faeces on the floor.
Could be Buchardt's.
- So he was strangled here? - Yes.
Who the hell dragged that big man all that way?
That's your department.
Forensic Pathology, Ärhus 15.30, Tuesday September 19
You come all this way for an interesting body,
a director killed in a sex game.
And it's banal, he didn't even die at the scene.
Lift marks around his armpits and knees.
- Meaning two people? - Look here.
His eyes are bloodshot.
There's bleeding around his larynx.
So he didn't die slowly from lack of oxygen.
His air supply was cut suddenly.
- The plastic bag didn't kill him? - It's that boring.
Just an ordinary strangulation.
You know what's said about you lot?
- No. - No, but it's bloody true.
Thanks!
So how are things at home?
Well, you know... You walk around in that big house.
Yes, so do I.
How come we don't sell one and move in together?
- The two of us? - Yes.
I've never thought of it that way.
Okay, that's why.
I'd better get going...
A short trip to Greenland, an axe murder in Nuuk.
See you.
Jan...
- Yes? - When did he die?
He was found at 07.45, right?
Up to two hours prior to that, at most. Bye.
Bye.
Yes?
- Here. - Thanks.
- Okay. - So...
Then we woke up and had a bit to drink.
Then he called a taxi.
- He threw you out? - I had to work.
Okay, that's fine, Ingrid. Bye.
Hello, my name's Ida Toft, Silkeborg Police.
It's about a taxi from Virklund to Silkeborg on Tuesday morning.
Got a boyfriend, Signe?
Ah, that can't be true!
Not any more.
- What was his name? - Rasmus.
He works at the factory too?
Thanks.
Was he pissed off about you and Buchardt?
Yes.
Maybe very pissed off?
So pissed off he showed up there.
- Rasmus? - And they ended up fighting.
Did you help to get him on the bed, Signe?
I don't know what you mean.
Signe, why?
We found the cab driver who took you to the factory.
He saw us kissing goodbye, Thorkild and me.
Yes, he did. Why did you run away from us?
Why the lie about Line, and you not being there?
It's my mother... she also works at the factory.
She'd been with Thorkild once.
But it was completely different with us.
We were really in love.
Sure.
17.15. Interrogation over.
- Can I go? - Yes, you can.
The taxi driver saw Buchardt alive at 06.15.
The workmen found him dead at 07.45.
Can we go eat? I'm starving.
Let's do that.
I'll join you.
Was it necessary to show her the photos?
I think so. She denied being at the cottage.
No other way to make her admit it?
Yes, there probably was.
The last of those pictures, how can she ever forget that?
- I don't know. - No.
No.
Is there anything you want to tell me?
You scare a girl shitless and you don't care.
I don't? You know what I care about?
Us wasting time over her.
We always waste time on those who didn't do it
because they're moonlighting or lying about who they fucked!
But apart from that, it's a nice town.
I'm probably too soft.
I just thought she really cared for him.
Your hotel's in that direction. See you.
Good night.
Look, I'll see you later.
Ida...
Ida, can I just explain this over a beer or something?
Not in a pub. We could go to my place for a beer.
- IP. - It's me.
- How was the theatre? - Take a guess.
Yes. They offered you an insultingly minor role.
Bente's leaving. They offered me all her roles for next season.
Well done.
Claus said they missed me. He almost sounded sincere.
- Why wouldn't he be? - This calls for champagne.
- Do that. - No. With you, you fool.
Yes, that will be a bit difficult.
- How's it going? - It's progressing, but slowly.
You know what? I'll join you tomorrow.
Book a table at the best restaurant.
It's on me. Or would you rather not?
- Sounds nice. - It's a date.
Okay. Bye.
Good evening.
DCI Jørgensen, Unit One.
It's about a passenger list for a London flight.
In general, if they talk a lot they're feeling guilty.
Like, if you ask what they did on Monday 16,
they remember precisely.
Entering the house, turning on the TV,
what was on and what the announcer had on, right?
If you watch, you can see the artery in their neck starts...
throbbing and...
- You have a nice place here. - Yes.
Shit!
- Been running already? - I was up early.
Forgot your tracksuit?
- I bloody must have. - Morning.
Good morning.
Nudge-nudge!
Sleep well?
Awful. I kept seeing Johnny with that expensive gift,
saying "We couldn't get an extra room."
Suddenly I didn't like him. I just didn't.
- Could be the wife. - Of course.
He'll never leave that marriage.
No, not Johnny's! Buchardt's.
Of course, she didn't do it. She paid someone.
Okay.
Buchardt often went to Tallinn. Maybe she went with him.
What would a hit cost there? $1000?
Makes sense.
It was someone who knew him. Who knew him best?
Hi.
- Late night? - So-so. We just had a beer.
- Where at? A pub? - Yes.
- Was it cosy? - Yes, quite cosy.
Is she married?
Uh... no.
She lives alone, I think she said.
So you told her you were married?
Why the hell would I? We just had a beer, okay?
We had two beers. Okay?
- Good morning. - Morning.
Morning briefing, Silkeborg 08.30, Wednesday September 20
"Everyone liked Thorkild" Signe said.
You could argue with that.
It seems he considered his staff his personal harem.
First Signe's mum, then Signe and several others.
Can a wife put up with that?
Signe may have been the last straw.
And financially?
She'd be fine, if she lived to 250.
- That's a theory... - It's a motive, IP!
Maybe. But I think we should stick to what we know.
And what's that?
We know that he was killed between 06.15 and 07.45. Here.
Did someone wait in a car till Buchardt was alone?
Did the cab driver or the two workmen see anything?
- Let's get them in. - I've requested that.
Did anyone see anything in this area?
Walking a dog or jogging?
- At this time of year, IP? - There's always someone.
I suggest you and Ida interview everyone in the area.
Are you finished at the crime scene?
- No. - Shouldn't you get going?
Well, Daddy has spoken. Let's move it.
You're on the ball this morning.
Do you... you don't have a light?
- Thanks for last night. - Same here.
Yes.
Let's try the grocer. He'll know the locals.
Righto.
The workmen are on their way.
- Karen Buchardt's at her sister's. - We need the address.
Would she flee abroad?
- Hi. - Hi, there.
- We're the ones who found him. - You need to see IP.
- IP Jørgensen. - Preben Jensen.
This is my son Brian.
Coffee?
- We haven't got long. - Shouldn't take long.
You may have seen something of importance to us.
Brian, if you'd come with me.
Yes... We'll sit over here.
Well...
- You got there when? - At 7 on the dot.
Must be nice working with one's father.
Yes.
- Tell me what happened. - We've already said.
I'd like to hear it.
We arrived at 7 on the dot.
We knew he was there because his car was outside.
At some point...
My father wanted to ask about the panels and...
he knocked on the door.
He didn't answer so I opened the door...
And there he was. It was quite a shock.
Brian wanted to remove the bag but I said not to touch anything.
Fine.
Then we called the police. That's it.
- And you didn't see a car leave? - No, we didn't.
Did you see anything?
No, I had to take care of Brian. He'd had a bit of a shock.
We'd known Buchardt for ages.
Crime scene 09.30, Wednesday September 20
This is LaCour... Hi, Thomsen.
You've marked where someone vomited.
Have you determined when it happened?
- One tends to say the minimum. - They're men of few words.
We arrived at 7 on the dot.
They do use the same phrase.
We arrived at 7 on the dot.
- We arrived at 7 on the dot. - Father and son.
- Unless their story's made up? - I doubt it.
- Any record? - They're clean.
- And their finances? - Buchardt's their biggest client.
Well, then it would be a bit stupid to kill him, right?
What's up with him today?
Hi, LaCour.
Could you ask if one of them vomited out here?
- They just left. - Contact them again.
If it's not theirs, we may have a DNA profile of the killer.
We'll check it out. Thanks.
Fischer and Ida are done. No joy.
They can check the two men.
- Understood. - Their workshop is out of town.
- The address? - It's straight ahead.
It doesn't matter. Ida knows.
- Who's Mille? - What's that?
Mille, who is it?
- Your wife? - Yeah.
When did you get married?
We've been married two and a half years.
Any kids?
Victor, he's one and a half. A boy.
You're crazy! Turn right here.
Here?
I have a thousand questions for Mrs Buchardt.
IP, could you politely ask her to come back?
Politely? If we need her, she'll damn well come.
- Okay. Thanks. - I'll do it.
- The cab driver's on his way. - About bloody time.
Hi, honey.
It's okay. I'm worn out.
I'm off to an interview. Can I call you later?
Fine. Bye.
IP, they're fucking shooting at us at the workshop. Ida...
Ida's hit. Call an ambulance!
He can't hit us here.
Fuck! Stay here.
What did you expect?
Who the hell are you? Get out!
I'm Preben. It's my workshop. That's my son.
- Where did he get the gun? - Bosnia.
He was a soldier there. He smuggled it back home.
- What's going on? - He's not well.
It happened down there. I thought he'd got over it.
He thinks Buchardt's killer has come for him.
- Yeah, yeah. - Let me talk to him.
No way. He shot my colleague, I have to do it.
Let me. He won't shoot at me.
I have no one else!
Damn it. Go on.
Go on!
Brian, it's Dad. I'm coming in.
Brian...
- It's okay. - You always say that!
I promise.
Brian...
Put the gun down.
Do what I say. Put the gun down.
- I shot that lady... - Give me it.
Give it to me!
It will be okay.
You always say that, Dad.
Brian!
- What happened? - You okay?
Yes.
What happened?
The son shot himself.
Brian?
His trigger jammed
and he blew his head off as his father watched.
Try and guess who let the father go in.
Damn it!
Maybe you should go back to Preben.
Yeah.
What happened to Brian in Bosnia?
He saw some kids get shot.
He'd... He'd given them some chocolate.
And there was a sniper who shot them, one by one.
Because they'd spoken to a Danish soldier.
He wasn't shot at.
Only the kids.
Didn't he get any help when he came back?
He saw a psychologist.
I think she wanted him to move away from home.
So we dumped her.
His mother had just died.
He got better.
But one had to keep everything exactly as it used to be.
Exactly as it used to be.
If anyone moved the sugar bowl, he'd get terribly upset.
Or if you touched his tools or... changed anything.
Brian played loud music while we were working.
And Buchardt didn't like that?
So he lost it?
- So you carried him to the bed? - Yes.
The handcuffs were already there.
And the plastic bag?
That was my idea... something I read in a newspaper.
I should have called the police.
But that wouldn't have saved Buchardt.
You should have done it anyway.
I couldn't bear to be without Brian again...
for several years.
Good timing. I've just arrived.
Oh?
So... where are we having dinner?
I forgot to book.
- We'll find something. - Okay.
I rang the airline.
You didn't!
I wish you'd said you were with Ulf in London.
Would it have made a difference? I told you, it's over.
- That's what matters. - Yeah.
Are you angry?
I've just been with a father who's lost his son...
after one of the most senseless killings I've ever come across.
That puts our trivialities into perspective, right?
Well... let's go.
- Well, here you are. - Yes.
- You brought chocolates? - I did, local ones. Here.
Well... how's it going?
They're cutting off my leg below the hip.
But you can get nice prostheses now.
How's it going?
It's only a flesh wound. I'm well, and you?
Fine. When are you being discharged?
Tomorrow, maybe.
I thought about staying on another day
but if you're not coming out till tomorrow, it doesn't matter...
Does it?
It does matter.
- Let's have dinner... - Flemming!
- This is Fischer. - Okay. Hi.
- You've had quite an adventure! - Yes, indeed.
The doctor says you'll be dancing in three weeks.
So... we'll stick to the plan.
- Going away? - No, we're getting married.
Yes.
For a moment we thought that was it.
Congratulations.
Thanks.
Well, I should be going. Nice to meet you.
You too. Off to Copenhagen?
- Yes. Bye. - Have a good trip.
I nearly said "You too." Get well soon.
- Fischer here. - It's Casualty. I'm alone again.
- That wasn't a proper goodbye. - No.
- How far have you got? - I'm close to the bridge.
- Which one? - The first one.
I just wanted to say hi and I'm thinking of you.
Yes. Hi.
Listen, I'm really happy you rang...
- I've got visitors again! - Okay.
Preben Jensen was found guilty of being an accessory in the killing of Thorkild Buchardt. He received a suspended sentence of two years.