Suddenly there was a thud.
Oh, no. Oh, no. No, no...
It's not true, it's not true... - She was killed instantly.
You realize you're the only loser if you continue?
Not me. Not Van Laer and even Coenen. Just you.
August 21 after the Antwerp Giants-Ostend match.
Afterwards I went home with my wife.
Your wife wasn't there.
In Bruges, the chief commissioner will retire next year.
Maybe we can be a couple.
Don't you want to know what asshole killed our daughter?
It's enough, Ludo. It's enough.
I don't want to go to Geneva, Mom. Can't I really stay with you?
We discussed that already. You know that's not happening.
I won't try to manipulate public opinion on this sensitive matter.
What you refuse to do, is to decide, to take decisive action.
The main debate. - And she's not here?
She doesn't answer. - I'm at Deurne airport.
Veerle Goddaert's trying to escape abroad.
Where's Veerle? Is that your tactic? First she leaves
then you follow a few days later. - Why should I walk?
I haven't done anything wrong.
Mom?
Seppe, fuck.
Men always prefer driving the car themselves, huh?
Is that genetically determined?
And women want to be ridden.
Is that genetic? - Yes.
You killed Lena.
Come on, she can't be left here.
Come on, then, help Veerle. Come on, she can't...
Come on, Veerle. Help me. Come on, she can't be left here.
She can't be left here. Pick her up.
Come on, come on.
Okay, okay.
Veerle felt guilty. But she never went to the police.
Did you put pressure on her, huh?
You don't think you can place the blame on me??
A campaign manager who kills a girl...
That would cost a lot of votes. It can't come out. It can't,
It can't come out.
It can't come out. It can't.
I'm going to write my article.
Either you go to the police yourself...
Or wait for them to come get you.
Everything okay? - Yes.
Have you been questioned? - No. No.
I have to make at statement at Oudaan.
I'll come as soon as possible to the office.
I finally know what really happened to Lena.
Scoop of the year.
And? Farewell Letter? - No.
something on the computer? - No.
Did Ilse know everything .. - Yes, she reported to the police.
She's in Knokke at her sister's. Apparently they were separating.
It's rumoured Wim and Veerle Goddaert...
I don't know if that's why his wife left,
but if it's true about the affair, then...
Maybe that's why he...
Peter...
My condolences.
So? The scoop of the year?
"I finally know what really happened to Lena."
I exaggerated. I was in shock, I think.
What's it got to do with Geens?
Do the police know he was in the car with Veerle Goddaert?
No. I only told them about Veerle...
There's no evidence Geens was there, so...
Could I take the rest of the day off? I...
I'll write the obituary and stuff at home.
Theo will do that. Take a few days rest, okay?
Thanks.
And sorry.
The BlackBerry?
Or else?
Yes, others will circulate the movie of your son
within five minutes on every news program throughout Flanders.
"Journalist lets son steal evidence."
Criminal charges are theft and impeding the investigation.
I didn't ask Seppe to do that.
Ethically it's seen as one of the toughest mistakes you can make,
Marianne huh? Goodbye, career.
And you risk another complaint to child welfare
for misuse of your son. Goodbye, visitation rights.
SIM card and memory card, that's inside, right?
Is there anything? - SMS.
Between Goddaert and Geens?
Dirty? - Clean.
Pictures, films? - No.
You can't do anything with it?
How will you justify that? Where did you get the info?
Go on, Veerle Goddaert's BlackBerry was delivered anonymously
to the editorial board at ATV. Go on, come on. Marianne.
Fuck.
Can I give you a flyer for October 14?
There it's, the right voice, huh - Yeah, yeah.
A flyer?
Do you still have a place to sit?
A joke. - A serious Fleming.
I'm going to loose it here. - Begin in.
Tasty, huh babe?
Ah, the house is sold. Yes to those people you saw.
They offered the asking price, so... - And hip? Okay.
Super.
And in Geneva, can you actually move directly into your home...
No, but we can manage. Everything will be decorated, so...
Ah. She thought of everything ..
Yes.
That is good.
Goddamn.
A flaw? - No, cut in the wrong direction.
That's not so bad. With another grinding plan it'll be fine.
That's rude, huh. Boorish, uncouth.
You aren't really ready to come back to work?
What should I do? - Take own few weeks leave.
Take time for yourself. It will do you good. And her too.
Sleep tight, sweetie. - Yeah, yeah.
Do it right thing over there.
Good luck with the Gazette. And the rest.
You let me know if he can come for a week or so?
Sure. Once I know how it's with his school...
Yes.
Take good care of him, huh.
Sure. I promise.
We have screwed up a lot, but...
He's worth it, huh?
Whatever.
On her BlackBerry SMS there was correspondence. An extract.
She: I just can't. He: No one should ever know this.
She: I must see you urgently.
He: I'll come as soon as possible after the meeting.
Police confirmed they issued an international warrant for
Veerle Goddaert now wanted on suspicion of hit and run
and the manslaughter of Lena Nijs.
Wim Geens committed suicide, presumably because his relationship
with Veerle Goddaert became public.
So the two main political factions of Antwerp
lost their leading lights. The relationship between the two
ensures both Mayor Van Laer and Bert Coenen
will remain mired in scandal just like before the elections.
To what extent this will effect
the elections remains unseen.
State visit in...
Peter Van Laer here.
Ms. Smidt, how can I help you?
Yes, I've seen it.
Tomorrow, huh. - Tomorrow.
Seen the news?
They have just packed it up.
And they'll do that. Really.
I miss you.
Marianne. - Ms Smidt.
Men always prefer driving the car themselves, huh?
And women want to be ridden.
Is that genetic? - Yes.
I note you have no comment?
I suggest you don't publish that now.
Wim's no longer alive and Veerle's being sought, so...
Veerle didn't kill anybody.
She's implicated in a hit and run, but doesn't deserve...
You're right, but the question you have to ask now is:
Why does it have to come out
just before the elections?
Ms. Smidt, everything indicates next Sunday
we'll get a majority. Neither of us relishes
6 years in a rainbow coalition with the small parties.
From the past 6 years, it's clear what hard going that is.
What does that have to do with Lena?
You've made a coalition agreement and if it's leaked
before the elections, then you risk losing your majority.
Look, at the voter's reasoning: It was criminal flight and adultery.
The first is difficult. But no one loses any sleep from the second,
but if you write Geens was behind the wheel
then there's still a scandal.
Another new version just before the elections,
people will think we wanted to covered it up.
That isn't so, but then there will be a lot of protest votes
for the small parties and that will make Antwerp ungovernable.
We don't want stalemate like in Brussels.
I'm a journalist. What you're asking me, if I do that,
who I am. I can't lie about...
Marianne, Marianne... No one is asking you to lie.
Nobody's even asking you to write.
The only thing we ask you is: Wait.
Wait until after the elections, when the coalition is formed.
You just want to save your skins.
Politics is less about distribution of spoils than most think.
Or most journalists any way. The only thing we want,
is to realized as much of our programs as possible. Just that.
To put bluntly, we had nothing to do with ...
what Veerle and Wim did. But we'll have to take the political
responsibility if you publish after the elections.
and we'll do that.
The case is kept quiet, get elected and then resign?
The largest part of our program will remain intact.
The political majority remains intact.
Enough people, our colleagues, to finish our work.
It wouldn't be the first time.
Ask your father.
Vic and June: Crash, hit and run,
escape abroad via Deurne. Good?
Catchy column by Theo about Geens' suicide.
Sober obituary, beautiful.
But ATV keeps scoring with that BlackBerry.
Marianne said weeks ago Goddaert and Geens were in a relationship.
Van Laer and Coenen are holding a press conference at Schoon Verdiep.
Together? What about? - Goddaert and Geens of course.
What else? - Limit the damage.
And then we all go on to the campaign's final battle.
Van Laer goes to Seefhoek and Coenen to Zurenborg
because they're weak there. They want to score big of course
and most of all with the press in attendance. Yes.
Lab tests show the paint
on the gray Alfa Romeo 156
matches Lena Nijs' bike 100%.
Moreover, traces of the victim's blood were found
in the trunk of the car. Veerle Goddaert has now been
officially indicted. In addition, the investigating judge decided not to
renew the detention of
Mr. Bernard De Ley It's evident Mr De Ley
drove over Lena Nijs' bike
but that happened after she had been hit by Veerle Goddaert.
Ladies and gentlemen, I regret we are here
just before the elections to report this.
But the truth has rights.
Mr. Coenen is here with me because these present facts
concern both of us, because we are unwitting involved parties.
What worried Wim Geens ...
I met with his widow this morning.
She confirmed Wim and Veerle Goddaert had a relationship
and the relationship had recently ended.
Wim had been depressed for a while.
In addition...
With Wim, the DPP lost one of its...
most reliable and best people.
What worried Veerle Goddaert, ladies and gentlemen, everyone knows
we created together the VDU.
together we gathered nomination signatures
to stand in elections.
At the same time we had printed
and sold the first membership cards,
and Veerle co-wrote the program for these elections.
So without Veerle the VDU wouldn't be what it's today.
That's obvious, I think.
Although the relationship between Veerle and Wim amazes me
as a politician I can't vouch
for the private life of my assistant.
But as the mayor said:
Of course, the truth has rights.
And what happened to Lena Nijs, mustn't go unpunished.
The Police and the courts will have to do their jobs.
Thank you. - Mr. Van Laer?
Not all at once.
For clarity. Neither Mr. Coenen nor I
were aware of these facts and these events,
however tragic, they will have no impact on our campaigns,
our views or our will
to govern Antwerp after Sunday.
We're both convinced the voters can distinguish
between the dramatic, personal tragedies of our colleagues
and the essence of what is at stake,
the future of Antwerp.
Veerle Goddaert is alleged to have escaped abroad.
If so, is there an international arrest warrant?
Yes, Veerle Goddaert is being sought internationally via Europol.
We thought she fled abroad
Through Deurne airport, but that's not the case.
She left there in a hired car
and presumably fled the country...
via the open roads.
Coenen has thrown you overboard.
I'd have done the same in his place.
Why do you think I'm here? - Fleeing the court?
To make it easier for Bert.
I just have to keep out of the picture until after the elections.
Sunday will be about Antwerp, not about me.
You...
found Wim. - Yes.
And you going to tell me now you want to publish the video.
No.
No, I wanted to see you.
I want to write the truth, but I can't.
I hope we're going to win on Sunday.
Otherwise it's all been for nothing.
Is that more important to you than yourself?
That's politics, huh.
But I'm going to miss it. It's over.
By such a stupid accident.
Stupid accident? - It was a stupid accident.
It wasn't even our fault. Lena drove through the red light.
Hi.
Bruges?
And Internal Affairs?
No suspension, no blame and my transfer was approved.
Congratulations.
I have new evidence related to Lena.
What did I tell you?
What? - Let it rest.
Yes, I can't.
I believe you'd put everything at risk for Lena.
Not you huh? You're only interested in things you can move forward.
I don't know what kind of a cop you are, Volkan,
But I know what kind of person you are: an opportunist.
Sorry.
Have you thought about my proposal?
It's not because we made love... several times
Yes, I have thought about it and... No.
Then it was just for the sex?
You came along to open my eyes, right?
Will I see you again?
Lena Nijs... Wait, wait. I got an instruction off the record
to ask you not to continue - The price for your promotion?
Just be careful.
Ciao.
Ten years ago it was good to live and work here.
Now the dealers are boss here.
They stash their drugs between melons, not to inconvenience their customers.
Have you told the police... - 100 Times.
100 times the guys return with precisely nothing done.
I got charged once because I gave one of them
a tap in front of his buddies. He was taken care of, I got a 125 euro fine.
I understand your point, sir. I share your concern, but we...
No, you have it right. We need more police on the streets.
This is a matter of principle and budget ...
Not that drivel, hey, Mr. Mayor. A moth-eaten courthouse,
and a museum they pick up empty, studies for a fucking bridge
which will cost more than I'll ever earn. There is money for that.
No, Mr. Coenen. Studies show culture brings in money.
You should invest in it, not reduce.
Yes, that may be, Ms, but Antwerp also has to learn to save
and the culture sector must also contribute their share.
We must realize money doesn't grow on trees.
Get lost. Culture Fascist.
A: What's stopping you? If you are a journalist
and you have as a scoop, you publish it.
Even if it's thrown in the bin.
You just say it's good it comes out because it suits you,
because it's about Van Laer and Coenen.
I tell you because you want an honest answer.
A journalist writes, period. If you think otherwise,
search for another craft. Two: Why doesn't it matter to Coenen?
Geens killed Lena. He is the perpetrator.
Veerle was only implicated in escaping arrest.
So why should Coenen get involved in the cover up
Can you imagine him and van Laer? - They have an agreement.
The DPP and the VDU will form a coalition, so...
Okay, but if you leak the news, Van Laer, especially, will lose votes.
Coenen will be the big winner All the little parties, us too,
will want to form a coalition with him.
But of course we'll ask our price.
The mayoral sash? - Ah.
You think Van Laer promised that to Coenen.
he'd be the mayor
provided the DPP is the only coalition partner?
If so, it's more than agreed.
Then the DPP definitely gets the port authority and the PWC:
The maritime office. - Van Laer gives Schoon Verdiep
to Coenen as a gift.
That's weird? I don't believe it. I can't believe it?
Sometimes you win when you lose.
I helped form two federal governments.
First, I was deputy prime minister. It was a tripartite,
We marched to no one's tune. After a year we were in a hole
and then I negotiated a socialist- catholic government.
The coalition was agreed and when we divided the spoils
The Catholics had another requirement: I couldn’t remain as a minister.
I was too popular. Okay, so I resigned.
On a rural/urban swap: We got the Prime Ministership.
The advanced game. Yes.
Like when you tried to get me to do with Poelemans?
Use me to put her in the shit.
Never do that again.
I mean it, Dad.
Then you've learned a lot.
I'm gone, huh.
Just like the debate. The two aroused each other
as if they were in the same party.
Can I have a minute? Can I?
There it is. - You must become the editor.
Yes, I will apply to CHURCH & LIFE.
Yes, do that. Have you heard from Marianne?
No. Why? You said yourself she could stay home.
Yes, but it's been a few days already.
I hope you have a good reason to get me out of my bed.
Yes, yes.
Jesus - Yes.
I'll stop the presses.
The board won't appreciate that.
Yes, and ATV either. That is bye, bye, Johan De Keersmaeker.
That's their problem. If Marianne's sticking her neck out, me too.
We will influence the elections.
If we don't publish, do we have the right? I mean...
Then prefer the truth, right?
Marianne was right. This really is the scoop of the year.
Postpone it until Monday. - I can't.
She wrote in her email: If we don't publish tonight, them tomorrow
she'll forward it to all other media. - Yes, that's fucking blackmail.
What would you do in her place?
That bitch really has balls.
Geens, Goddaert, Van Laer, Coenen, Bulthé, Serter, she fingers everyone.
But would you shit on yourself and your kid
for a scoop?
We're actually the runners up.
Goddamn.
Hey, Vic. - Marianne.
Hello. - How is it? Are you going on a trip?
Yes, to Barcelona. For a weekend. - Now with the elections?
I have deal with Theo. I do permanence over Christmas
and New Year. - All right.
Sorry I'm late. - Not very.
Ms. Smidt. - Robbie.
Keep that to yourself for now. - That's good.
I guess I'll never find a contact at Oudaan any more.
Got it. Have a good trip. - Thanks, huh.
Mom. - Hey.
Hi.
Say, Marianne. Very good article. Congratulations.
Sweetie. I just come for a really really fast visit, okay?
But we're boarding in about three minutes,
so if you want, we can still...
... have a drink or... - It's okay.
Yes...
Why? - I've had enough.
Take a holiday, go on a world tour. A sabbatical year.
But anyway don't give up.
Politicians may have an elastic conscience, but that's why I don't.
You see it wrong, Marianne. They think they're idealists.
I mean... Who think they're doing things in the public interest.
Like: Now we're doing something that's not kosher,
but that's to be able to do a lot of good later.
That's politics.
Apparently, yes. And I wrote about what happened to Lena
and that's journalism.
Marianne, I thought your article was fantastic. Really.
Lex too. All of us,
but you still don't think something's going to change?
For me, yes.
What are you doing? - We had a small bet.
I said you'd be trouble and Theo didn't think so, that's all.
Yes, but... Come on.
We also had bet about your resignation.
Yes, Lex said no, I said yes.
Assholes. Come here.
Thanks.
Come, Seppe. We're leaving.
Where are we going? - We'll see.
Just you and me? - Yes, just you and me.