[upbeat orchestral music] [ominous music] [man] Was all this strictly necessary, Kroese?

About 3:30 I should think.

Okay, bye.

I usually like to limit my visits to Amsterdam to a more social nature.

We do have to go through the motions, Minister.

We should be back on the road by 10:30.

Well, I do hope so.

The longer I'm away from my desk the quicker someone else will want to fill it.

[light music] [Michael] Almost there.

You handle the preliminaries, Michael.

Certainly, sir.

And the line is, thanks, but no thanks.

[seagulls squawking] The door, Vincent.

No, there's no decision on that yet.

-[phone ringing] -I'm sorry, I have to go.

Yes?

They're here, Mr. Kortman.

I'll be right down.

Good morning, gentlemen.

I trust you had a good journey.

If you'd just follow me.

A pleasure, Miss, um?

Mierle, Hannie Mierle.

Ah, welcome gentlemen, welcome.

De Groot.

Minister Snelders.

And Mr. Kroese.

I am indeed honored that you could all come today.

It's good to get out of the office.

This way, please.

[sputtering engine] Our national obsession, Minister.

Water.

For hundreds of years the entire pattern of our existence, every facet of our lives has been governed by that one thing.

The need to tame and then to control water.

Today I am giving you the chance to write the next chapter in the history of that struggle.

To immortalize ourselves and project our nation into the 21st century.

Gentlemen, I give you the Wadensee Project.

Shall I pack your hat?

Hm.

It might get crushed.

Yes.

What?

Your hat.

Shall we take your hat?

Oh, you choose.

It's your hat.

At least let's make it a joint decision.

Arlette, we have two days before we go.

You know I always hate to be rushed at the last moment.

Oh, is this man serious?

I'll pack it.

I do wish Wim could come with us.

What?

Our son, remember?

Darling, this is our anniversary.

We've spent half our adult lives trying to get a holiday without children.

At least I'd have someone to talk to.

Oh, the damn fool.

God, is that the time?

What about these trousers?

Oh, no, no!

They're clamping the car again!

I'll see you later, darling!

Why bother.

These five vatten islands will be linked by dikes here, here, here, here, and here.

Creating a lagoon 30,000 square kilometers in area.

And what's this?

Ah, that's a hydro electric barrage connecting Flevoland with Terschelling.

It could provide enough power to light half of the country.

And with these lock gates here and here, we will be able to maintain the tide to the centimeter.

I'm not quite-- Minister, this isn't a plan to create a new fresh water lake like the IJsselmeer.

This will be salt water with a tide which we can control.

That's not the remit you were given.

I was given a remit which everyone knew would be rejected, a stop gap.

I'm offering you a project which can work.

I think, Mr. Kortman, that you have rather exceeded your brief.

So, if you don't mind.

Kroese, Kroese.

Let's listen to the man.

I'm intrigued.

[light music] And in addition, up there, we'll have reclaimed another 100,000 hectares of polder and created hundreds of new jobs to boot.

It is quite frankly, the most audacious piece of engineering since the ceiling at the Zuiderzee.

And you, gentlemen, have the power to make it happen.

Shall we sit down?

I'm afraid you have us at something of a disadvantage, Mr. Kortman.

This is not what I'd been led to expect.

If I may, Minister.

Mr. Kortman, you have long been known for your audacity.

And I don't for a moment question your, our ability, to construct this scheme.

Nor do I question its long term benefits.

Nevertheless, your presentation, however entertaining is rather wasted on us.

In addition there is another dimension to this project which you have completely ignored.

And what dimension would that be?

Let's be frank, eh?

Now, if we could achieve this we could all go down in history, yes?

Now if, and this is a very big if, if the government felt it could give this the necessary backing, and you will have to make sure that there can be no slip ups like the Baarn Dike barrage.

We're still trying to mop up the mess.

The Baarn Dike was an outstanding success.

All the research backs that up, whatever the farmers may say.

Minister, there is no one more committed to the ecology than I.

Yes, yes, yes.

We are all agreed now, are we not?

But there are risks.

Where would our country be without engineers who take risks?

Spare me the rhetoric.

Please, I get enough of that in the Hague.

All you risk is your project.

I risk my political neck.

I'm not in the habit of backing losers, Minister.

Neither am I.

-[phone ringing] -Excuse me.

I thought I said no interruptions, Hannie.

All right.

One moment, please.

I said to get me out of there when I signaled.

But there really is a call on your mobile.

You told me-- Yes, all right, it's all right.

Hello, Kortman.

Paul, how nice to speak to you.

Who is this?

A freelance debt collector.

How did you get this number?

I know lots of numbers, Paul.

My favorite at the moment is 300,000 in used notes.

You have one week.

Enjoy the flowers.

Hello?

Did anybody send flowers?

I don't think so.

Mr. Kortman?

Yes.

Could you sign for this, please?

Mr. Kortman.

Mr. Kortman.

When you're ready.

I'll be right with you.

Get him out of here.

I'm so sorry, gentlemen, where were we?

[street chatter] [ominous music] She's arrived.

Half priced CDs.

Free cassettes!

She's gone into the flat, over.

Sit tight 'til she moves, over.

[cars honking] Try going around, will you?

I'm running late.

[cars honking] [screeching tires] Free cassettes!

Half priced CDs.

There you are.

Half price CDs, free cassettes.

Half price CDs, free cassettes.

That's it, they're on the move.

Slutters and the girl.

Heading your way, Wim.

Move it.

[street chatter] [ominous music] [screeching tires] [revving motor] [screeching tires] They're heading for the harbor.

North or south?

Toss a coin.

[revving engine] What.

Well, I say, you made good time.

Oh, yes, yes.

I know my Amsterdam.

A word, Piet.

The International North Sea Conference next week.

Yes, you have my undivided attention.

I just heard there have been threats of disruptions from this new group of radical greens.

Oh, yes, what do they call them?

Green Force.

A lot of VIPs attending, bound to be media attention.

City fathers want it to be a success.

With no blood on our copper building.

Exactly.

Now, Tony Vishnu has drawn up these security contingency plans.

Cast your eye over them for me, will you?

There's a chap.

See if you can find any loop holes.

I'm going on vacation tomorrow.

Well that's all right, you can do it this afternoon.

Knew you wouldn't let me down.

[ominous music] I'm sure they were heading for here.

There it is.

Where?

There, under that pontoon.

[Wim] Yes, let's go.

[revving engine] What do you think?

12 is my lucky number.

[ominous music] Oh, damn it.

[Simon] It's the meet, do we want backup?

[Wim] No time, we'll go in with the car, block the entrance.

[revving engine] [screeching tires] Not clever.

Want a tissue?

[light music] Well?

There's a letter from the bank.

[light music] [seagulls squawking] In short the contingency plans seem to me to be, wholly adequate.

Yours, etc.

Now then, let's see.

File.

File.

Oh, bin.

File.

File?

Yeah, what is it again?

Memo from Mr. Samson on staff discipline.

Bin.

Well, so much for a 15 minute meeting.

It's a highly unorthodox manner of working, Minister.

I must warn you that the implications.

Kroese, Kroese.

If it were left to you civil servants we'd still be riding on horseback.

Legal opinion?

I think Mr. Kortman is a man worth backing.

But politically...

It will be tricky, yes?

There is opposition.

You need to convince waverers in the government that scheme will be popular.

Get the support of the scientific community behind you.

Some sort of grand gesture.

You have something in mind, Minister?

Administrative inquiry?

I think we might well arrange for an addition to the agenda for the North Sea Conference.

I think Mr. Kortman might well prove a most persuasive speaker.

Don't you, Kroese?

[light music] Thank you, Mr. Snelders, thank you.

Yes, until then, goodbye.

Hannie, they bought it.

That's marvelous.

What, you're not so convinced?

Mrs. Kortman's outside.

Look, I have to go to a meeting.

She's a bit upset.

I think you should see her.

Paul.

I think you better sit down.

It's about Irene.

What you have to realize, Miss Kortman, is that you're going to jail.

Not for months but for years.

Now I can proceed here with or without your cooperation, so.

The evidence against you is incontestable.

Do you understand that?

But I like a quiet life.

Look, I've got you.

I've got your boyfriend, Kees.

I've even got his major Turkish supplier.

But the man I really want is your boyfriend's big brother, Teo.

Now.

You can either cooperate with us, maybe expect a reduced sentence.

Drop dead.

Book her, dealing and possession.

[sloshing] [clock ticking] I want a lawyer!

If I can't have a lawyer.

I'm about to freak.

But it's over and shut, isn't it?

It is for the ones we've arrested, but Slutters won't inform on his own brother.

So that leaves the girl.

So we humor her or scare her.

I tried the first one.

I suggest you get on with the second.

[grunting] Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Just another day in paradise.

Yeah.

[Suspect] Can you take your hands off me?

[Officer] No.

Come on.

[bicycle bell chiming] Hey, hey, hey!

Pick that up!

Pick it up.

That's it, that's it.

[phone ringing] Rukspolitie, Sergeant Voss.

[Anne Marie] Hello, Hans.

Anne Marie, hello.

I was wondering if Maarten had radioed in.

He's a bit late.

No, I haven't heard anything.

I wouldn't worry.

He's been a bit down lately and I just wondered.

Well, I'll see if I can raise him.

I'll get back to you.

Thanks, Hans, thank you.

Goodbye.

[sloshing] [ominous music] Ah, Piet, come in, come in.

This is Paul Kortman.

Ah, yes.

Mr. De Groot.

Yes, we've met quite often.

Usually on the witness stand.

Jan. -Commissaris.

-Sit down.

Mr. Kortman finds himself in rather a difficult situation.

Oh, yes?

We arrested his daughter this morning.

In connection with an alleged drug fence.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Charges at the moment one of dealing in a quantity of heroin.

At the moment?

The charge was laid on the basis of Miss Kortman's non cooperation in the matter of implicating other, more significant players in the alleged offense.

In other words, she won't talk.

Following the intervention of Mr. Kortman, his daughter has now agreed to fully cooperate with the police.

You ought to be congratulated, then.

With a proviso, of course, that all charges are dropped.

All charges?

I have it on good authority that the public prosecutor will not be unsympathetic.

Oh, well, ha, ha.

She's obviously very fortunate in having such a persuasive attorney.

No, I'm not here to represent Miss Kortman.

My lawyer is handling that side of things.

Yes, Mr. De Groot has been retained by the government.

My clients find it somewhat unfortunate that so unpleasant a situation be allowed to hinder the development of Mr. Kortman's project.

Legislative plans for it's approval are at a very delicate stage.

Oh?

I, oh, there have been threats to do with the project.

Many people don't want to see it go ahead.

Unfortunately, we failed to anticipate the level of public unrest.

But we cannot be seen to be dodging the flak, as it were.

I'm to be the main speaker at the International North Sea Conference this week.

Really?

It is very important that both the conference and Mr. Kortman's contribution are well received.

Now, with Irene.

I'm afraid she's got involved with some unsavory characters and she's 19 years old, Commissaris.

She's agreed to implicate Teo Slutters.

As a result she'll need 24 hour police protection.

At least until after the trial.

Yes, well I'm sure Chief Inspector Klees can handle that problem.

There are political considerations.

The security of the project and therefore that of Mr. Kortman and his entire family have to take priority.

A large degree of discretion is required.

We would like the matter dealt with as quietly and sympathetically as possible.

Oh, ho, would you?

Yes, I would!

And frankly, I find this little gavotte rather wearisome.

Could I have a word?

Excuse us, gentlemen.

My god, at least put on a pretense of appreciating the delicacy of the situation!

Delicacy!

I take a very dim view of being bounced into protecting some girl who's got her fingers burnt smuggling heroin!

Please, Peter!

Just because her father is hand in glove with the government.

Little gavotte!

Who do they think they are?

They think they're the government.

They think they're the people who control my budget.

They think they pay you your salary.

Now, for once in your life behave like you're relishing your office.

You're not some sergeant in a leather jacket busting pimps on the new market.

I only wish I were.

At least I could take a few days leave in peace.

Yes, well you'll have to forego that for the meantime.

What?

You can go anywhere you like after that.

Oh, that's all right then.

Actually my sister-in-law found a marvelous spot in Gambia last year.

I'll give you the details.

Sister-in-law?

[dog barking] [knocking] I'm afraid I've got some bad news, Anne Marie.

May I come in?

Well, Janet.

You'll be pleased to hear my desk has just filled up again.

I now have to run around holding the hands of an engineer and his errant daughter in order to save the government's face!

[clearing throat] Hm?

Chief Inspector Vishnu, sir.

I believe I've been seconded to help you.

Security at the EEC.

You must know Willy Helliger then?

Yes, sir, we have liaised in the past.

[chuckling] I'll bet.

He was my squad commander in Luxembourg.

He's quite a character, sir.

Lunatic you mean.

Harmless, but a lunatic.

They sent him to the EEC to keep him out of trouble.

Did they succeed?

Not really.

No, diplomacy was never his strong point.

Anyway, I need this like a hole in the head.

Yes, sir.

So we'll just nose around the house, make all the right noises and then it'll be up to you to organize the surveillance and security.

I want it tight.

Money's no object, apparently.

And then with any luck, I shall slope off into the middle distance.

Do we understand each other?

Perfectly, sir.

Good.

[birds chirping] Now, if you'll just show us around the place, Mr. Kortman.

Chief Inspector Vishnu and I can make a full security assessment.

Certainly, Commissaris.

Can we start with the downstairs, please, sir.

Yes, this way.

We'll go in the back.

[glass shattering] Darling, I'm terribly sorry.

But there's nothing left to say.

None of them were hurt but now I've got to find a safe house.

I'm glad they weren't hurt.

And you're right.

There's nothing left to say.

No.

But Piet.

I do wish you'd keep that gleam out of your eye.

What are you talking about?

You're secretly glad there have been problems.

You're glad we can't go away.

Don't talk nonsense.

At least be honest about it!

Look, when this is over, anywhere you like.

I promise.

I believe that Gambia is-- [slamming] Very pleasant at this time of year.

Mr. Samson recommends it.

He went there with his sister.

Richewi confirmed, a bomb.

Approximately 20 grams of Semtex.

Semtex?

A bit sophisticated for Slutters, no?

That is if Irene was the target.

Good god.

Are you suggesting these new greens have set up an armed wing?

Stranger things have happened.

Yeah, all right.

So for the moment we assume they're both targets and treat them as such.

My thoughts exactly, sir.

Ready?

[murmuring] All right, settle down everyone.

Make yourselves comfortable.

Could be worse, could be Samson.

Ladies and gentlemen, just before I hand over to Chief Inspector Vishnu, I guess I could say a few kind words.

Unaccustomed as I am.

Yes, Plesman.

We're all well aware the drug squad's collective nose is out of joint.

All I can say is, if you're on my side, what must the enemy look like.

[laughing] I hope this won't be for too long.

After which, we can let the more Bohemian elements off the leash and back to more gainful employment.

But until then, we're all one team, all right?

So, with your permission of course, Plesman.

[clomping boots] Chief Inspector Vishnu, status report please.

Thank you, sir.

Yesterday I had the unenviable task of witnessing an explosion 35 minutes after I was allocated to this assignment.

And I don't want to see another one.

So let's keep communication at a maximum and cliques at a minimum.

Capiche?

Right, we have two distinct tasks.

A, ascertaining who is harassing the Kortmans and B, making sure that it doesn't happen again.

We'll split you into two units.

One on security and surveillance led by me.

And the other on detection and follow up led by Commissaris Van Der Valk.

Joint operational briefings for both groups will take place every morning at 0800 hours prompt.

Latecomers won't be admitted.

[chuckling] The Kortman family are now in a safe house with round the clock surveillance.

So our first major task will be policing the International North Sea Conference at which Paul Kortman is speaking.

Now these are the ones to watch.

Lights.

Let's start with the more obvious.

Marijke Dekker.

Recently elected president of the breakaway Green Force movement.

Two units are placed on major road exits and three units here, here and here.

Mm-hm.

Yeah, I still think there ought to be a backup from the rear, there.

I've already arranged for a contingency squad there.

I'm sorry, it's not on the map yet.

So why have I bothered turning up?

To show that we're taking it seriously, of course.

Right.

Well, I think that's it.

I suggest we pay a call on Marijke Dekker.

[light music] Arlette!

Arlette!

She didn't hear you, sir.

[boat horn sounding] What, uh.

Your carriage awaits.

Hm, yeah.

Miss Dekker?

Yes.

Marijke Dekker?

Yes.

I'm Chief Inspector Vishnu.

This is Commissaris Van Der Valk.

Could we have a word, please?

Certainly, I'll just finish this.

No.

Is there somewhere we can go?

All right.

Bombs!

You've got to be joking.

We're against violence in all its forms, Commissaris.

Johannes, not there, over there.

You were quoted as saying you'd stop Kortman's project by any means necessary.

A rhetorical phrase.

Do I detect a hint of pragmatism, Miss Dekker?

If you mean by that, are we interested in power?

Then the answer's, yes.

Our planet is on borrowed time.

Mr. Kortman says he wants to protect the environment too.

He couldn't care less.

He's only interested in money.

That's great, Sonya.

Get it screened, 400 copies.

We're not wooly minded hippies, Commissaris.

We know what we want and we know how to get it.

The end justifies the means.

The real violence in our society is the violence committed against the environment by men like Kortman.

If you want to find out who tried to blow him up, I suggest you look a little closer at him.

[birds chirping] [groaning] Oh, god.

Isn't this where we start philosophizing?

Hm?

You know.

Life, death, sex.

The end of this shift.

Ah, now there is an interesting concept.

How goes it?

[sighing] Quiet as a grave.

It wouldn't have been if I was Teo Slutters with an Uzi in my hand.

Touché.

Any news?

No, he's gone to ground.

He could be anywhere.

How are they getting on up there?

Like a house on fire.

I don't want problems, I want solutions.

No, I can't meet him tonight.

I'm shut up here.

All right, um.

After the conference I'll shake them off somehow.

Goodbye.

Problems?

Who was that?

Just business.

God, look at this place.

How could people live like this?

We are having to live like this.

I've got to get out of here.

You're going nowhere.

I'm going to go mad.

You'll go mad!

It was you who brought all this on us.

You and your drug dealing friends.

That's rubbish and you know it.

Kees had nothing to do with that bomb.

Well it wasn't the postman, dear.

Little presents for you.

What have you been up to?

I haven't been up to anything.

I just thought I'd cheer you up.

I don't need cheering up.

I'm not a child with measles.

Come on.

Don't slobber.

Excuse me, my bath's running.

Busy day in town?

No, tiring day.

Why?

Nothing, nothing at all.

[protesters shouting] How about signing the petition, Commissaris?

I never get involved with politics.

I see, so that's why you're protecting Kortman.

[protestors shouting] For too long, the real creative people, the wealth creators, have been hogtied by those who would seek to stop progress at all costs.

If it had not been for men and, and women of vision, people who tamed nature.

Then our country would still be fearing death and destruction.

Still be dreading every time the wind and tide conspired to throw the might of the sea against us.

Ask the widows and orphans of Bangladesh if they thing flood control and land reclamation is a good idea.

Would they be against a scheme like this?

No, they wouldn't.

[applauding] He's quite a speaker.

If you like that sort of thing.

[protestors shouting] I say seize the moment, seize the time.

We stand in giants footprints.

Henrik, and Simon Stevin, Cornelis Lely.

Let us go forth and take the challenge as they would have done.

And let us look to the future with heads held high.

I thank you.

[applauding] [protestors shouting] What's all that about?

Oh, it's the North Sea Conference.

Some VIP's been threatened.

They should have to face rottweilers as I do.

[chuckling] Oi, have you got a pass?

Pass?

I'm delivering the mail.

Well, you need a pass today.

[murmuring] [clicking cameras] Gentlemen, gentlemen.

If you don't mind, we'll speak to you outside, thank you.

That's all we're short of, an impromptu press conference.

This is Leader to Control, they're coming out.

[protestors shouting] Control to Banneburg.

Get around here now.

All right, I'm on my way.

Look, you just stay right there.

Mm-hm.

[protestors shouting] Mr. Kortman.

Ladies and gentlemen, one question at a time, please.

How much are you gonna make on your project, Kortman?

[shouting] Do you feel that public is in support of your plans?

We feel sure that the support shown today for our scheme by the international scientific community will go some way to reassure the Dutch public.

Is this gonna be another Baarn Dike?

I'm sorry?

Is this gonna be another Baarn Dike?

The Baarn Dike is a considerable success from an engineering and has a lot of potential.

[Protestor] You might think so!

Tony.

Is that vehicle cleared?

I'll check.

[protestors shouting] [ominous music] You don't think the money would be better spent elsewhere?

We are already fully aware that we have ample funding for all our existing commitments.

And on behalf of the government I would like to say, that I am fully confident that these plans will go ahead.

[ominous music] Now that is all, gentlemen.

[ominous music] No!

Tony, look up.

Move!

[screaming] [shattering] What the?

[smacking] He's coming down.

Ugh.

[murmuring] [sirens blaring] [elevator chiming] Oh, come on.

No sign of him, sir.

Keep looking.

Is this what you call top security?

That stupid press conference wasn't planned.

They could have been killed.

They could have been killed, but they weren't.

Now if you have any further comments I suggest you put them in writing.

You'll be hearing from me.

No doubt!

[screeching tires] Oh, no.

So, we've been made to look idiots by some sycophant with a bag of mussels.

It was an unfortunate set of circumstances.

It was a total disaster!

I know what's writhing you!

What?

It's because he's bloodied your nose.

Oh.

Brawling on rooftops.

That comment I made about pimps and the new market was supposed to be a joke!

It'll be no joke when I catch up with him!

I've got a freeze frame of him from the surveillance camera.

I'll have him within hours.

Well, you'd better!

Sir, I'd like to take full responsibility for yesterday.

Oh, yes, fine.

Well now we've got that nonsense out of the way, just let's get on with the job, shall we?

Is that the blow up?

Yes, sir.

But sir, I feel that I could-- Tony, look.

You know as well as I do there's no such thing as 100% security.

So let's not look for sticks to beat ourselves with, eh?

If you think I'm going through the rigmarole of briefing another officer halfway through an investigation, you're crazy.

-Now, let's go.

-Where?

Commissaris, your wife has phoned twice.

I'll call back later.

[clock ticking] Commissaris Van Der Valk.

Thank you, Hannie.

I'm sorry about the conference.

Not as sorry as I am.

Does this mean anything to you, Mr. Kortman?

No, I'm afraid not.

I have to tell you that I do not wish to be held under these circumstances any longer.

It's a bit too late for that, Mr. Kortman.

There have now been two attempts on the lives of you and your family.

We can't just let the matter drop.

You were supposed to ensure it didn't happen at all.

I have it on authority that in the Hague my daughter's problem is being identified with my work as if there were some form of conspiracy.

Well that's politicians for you.

Are you suggesting there is a conspiracy?

I'm not suggesting anything.

I just want to find out who's threatening you.

Yes, well at the moment I feel as if you are.

So, if you don't mind I would like you to go.

Very well.

But the security stays.

Can you come in, please?

Post this, special delivery.

[phone ringing] [ominous music] What's she up to?

[engine starting] [ominous music] Keep her company.

Wim.

Go ahead.

Better get round here now.

[screeching tires] [engine starting] [ominous music] You wanted to talk to me, Kroese.

I want to pull out, Paul.

All the salt water of the world held back by only 50 meters of dike.

The fresh water, the IJsselmeer, on the other.

5,000 cubic feet a second flowing out.

That is a lot of water, Kroese.

They're getting too close, Paul, too close.

That swine Der Valk was sniffing around the office again today.

I think they suspect something.

They suspect nothing.

You were so convincing in that meeting, you almost had me fooled.

I can't allow myself to be compromised.

It's a bit late for that, isn't it?

My friend.

Snelders is getting nervous.

He's a very ambitious man, Paul.

The second he thinks the project might fail, he'll drop us.

Listen, it's not going to fail.

The only thing that can fail is our love.

I can't sleep.

What do you think you're getting involved in here?

Knots and crosses?

We're playing for high stakes, Kroese, millions, millions!

And we're going to win.

There.

The ingenuity of man!

It's wonderful.

Ah, thank you, darling.

Busy day?

Not really.

Oh, right, right.

I called but you weren't here.

I tried to call you but you weren't available.

Mm-hmm.

What's wrong?

Are you still upset about the holiday?

Upset?

Upset was a long time ago, Piet.

I've learned to take it all in my stride now.

It's part and parcel of being married to the police force.

Something's on your mind.

It's the case.

No.

Not the case.

Something else.

Look, I have to go through all these files and I...and we.

We need a holiday.

And that's it?

That's it.

Honestly.

[phone ringing] Sorry, sorry, go back to sleep.

Go to bed.

Van Der Valk.

[radio chatter] Good morning, sir.

Good morning.

They're pulling the car out now.

[rushing water] [ominous music] A couple of patrolmen saw the car nose down and the number came up as Irene Kortman and they contacted me.

Well, it looks like a small caliber bullet in the back of the head.

What a mess.

Look at the rear window, sir.

The Green Commandos.

Never heard of them.

We're checking through Interpol but it sounds like a new group.

Sounds to me like a cover.

Lipstick, eh?

And the hand brake's off.

There's a small slope there.

It looks like he was shot and then pushed into the water.

All right.

And what guardians of the peace were supposed to be keeping an eye on him yesterday?

Commissaris.

Well?

His daughter smuggled him out.

She what?

She sold us a dummy.

He was in the back of the car.

You were supposed to be guarding him.

Well, with respect, sir, we can't anticipate everything.

All right, all right.

This, um.

This isn't far from where you arrested her, is it?

Over there.

What a coincidence, show me.

I presume it got a full search.

[Wim] Top to bottom.

Clean as a whistle.

Well, we better do it again then, hadn't we?

Hm.

Well, presuming he was shot from outside the car, it was dark, I wonder.

You think he might have been mistaken for his daughter.

Let's ask her.

Not just yet I fear.

The vultures gather.

Well who's in charge here?

I am, Minister.

Van Der Valk.

Ah yes, Commissaris.

We last met at the conference just after the mussel incident.

You're a long way from the Hague, Minister.

Well we were supposed to be meeting Mr. Kortman this morning.

Now I want a full report before I speak to the press.

I report to my superior officer.

I suggest you contact him.

Listen, Van Der Valk, you obviously have no conception of the implications of all this.

De Groot, I've pulled more corpses out of the water than you've had expense account dinners.

There's a man lying in there with half his head missing.

Do you want to take a look?

I thought not.

Just don't threaten me with implications.

Commissaris, I'd be happy to take the Minister to the incident room and give him a full run down of the situation so far.

Thank you, officer.

It's heartening to see at least some members of the Amsterdam police for exhibiting a degree of cooperation.

Shall we take your car, Minister?

You're skating on thin ice, Van Der Valk.

If I move fast it won't crack.

[engine starting] No one knew where he was.

Except the person he was going to meet.

I suppose so.

And you were quite happy to smuggle him out like that.

He said it was business.

I felt guilty.

It's my fault we're all cooped up in here.

He told me to drive to a quiet street and then to lead the tail away.

And where did you go after you left the car?

Why don't you ask the policemen who followed me?

Your father was killed by someone who had prior knowledge of his movements.

Now that's a small list at the moment, Miss Kortman.

Now where did you go?

I just went to a cafe.

I had a few drinks and then got a taxi home.

What cafe?

Cafe Teo.

And you have no idea who he was going to meet?

I told you before, I haven't a clue.

Oh, she knows, all right.

The conniving little bitch.

Go on, tell him!

Tell him!

You don't know that's where he was going.

Where else would he have been?

I'll be the judge of that.

I'll tell you then.

He'd been having an affair.

It had been going on for three years.

And you know when I found out, Commissaris?

Last week.

How about that, eh?

Three years of lying.

Oh, she knew, of course.

Daddy's girl!

And probably half of Amsterdam with her.

But not me.

You don't know he was meeting her.

All I know is he humiliated me and he can rot in hell as far as I'm concerned!

The girlfriend.

Do we have a name?

Go on, I'm past caring.

Marta.

Marta de Kleine.

Address?

No idea.

You'll get her at the casino, no doubt.

She works as a croupier at the Phalyx.

In the Rembrandt's play.

Thank you.

Well, I can't tell what will happen next, Miss Kortman.

But you might be facing serious charges as a result of this.

No more bets, ladies and gentlemen, please.

[murmuring] Could I have a word, Miss de Kleine?

If it's the license, you should talk to Mr. Malen.

No, no, it's in connection with another matter.

I'm working.

I'm sure the management won't mind.

Not here then.

[Dealer] Yes sir, place your bets.

I met him at the tables.

He won 5,000 guilders the first time he came into the casino.

The next time he won again.

So he called me his good luck charm.

Yeah.

When was the last time you saw Mr. Kortman?

Last week.

He.

His wife found out about us.

God knows how it took her so long.

We were hardly very discreet.

I suppose because you moved in different circles.

I suppose so.

Did she make him choose?

Oh, no, you've got it wrong.

He didn't have to choose.

When she found out, I told him it was finished.

It just brought everything to a head.

I told him he should try to patch things up with his wife.

How did he take that?

He wanted me to stay.

I'm leaving, you see, I'm going to the States.

To do what?

A post doctoral thesis at Stanford University.

What?

I work at the casino part time.

I have a PhD in psychology.

Towards the end it came in quite useful for Paul.

How do you mean?

Nothing.

Look, I'm very sorry, Commissaris.

I'm afraid there's nothing more I can tell you.

Look, here's my card.

If you think of anything more, just give me a call.

Thank you, goodbye.

One last thing.

Does that mean anything to you?

No, no I've never seen him before in my life.

Any further forward?

No, she was scared.

Someone was showing an interest in us.

You were shadowed?

I'm almost sure I know who it was.

So how'd you get on with our Minister?

Putty in my hands.

Ha, ha, like the rest of us.

Who the hell's supposed to charge these batteries.

Try sign language.

Commissaris, Marijke Dekker.

Yeah?

She has a cast iron alibi.

She was in a meeting with 30 other people until 10:00.

Ha.

And afterwards?

She said she drove her mother in Rotterdam and stayed the night.

We're checking it out.

Well, I'm not at all sure about this Green Commando stuff.

But you never know, get unto CRI.

I want a cross reference of every known terrorist group with green activists.

I've done that, sir, I'm waiting for the fax now.

Well good for you.

This is Regsweg.

The bullet was from a .22 automatic.

No known tie up but they're working on it.

Working on it, yeah.

[chuckling] I'll bet they are.

Thank you.

And that?

This is the post mortem report, sir.

This coffee is awful!

Massive cerebral hemorrhage, death instantaneous.

Ah!

No water in the lungs so we were right.

Shot then dumped.

Mm.

Yes, the point is who by?

So far they're queuing up to be suspects.

Commissaris, it's for you.

It's a Sergeant Voss.

Says he wants to speak to you personally.

Hello again, what's it in connection in with, Sergeant?

[murmuring] Right, hang on.

He says he wants to speak to you with regard to the theft of a pair of underpants in Breda.

Voss.

Hi.

Hans, you old dog, how are you?

I'm great, Piet, just great.

Still just a sergeant chasing, fighting with thieves in the entry harbor.

I'd swap with you any day.

Ha, ha, not on my salary you wouldn't.

How's Arlette?

Oh, she's fine, fine.

And how about you, still a confirmed bachelor?

Oh, life's too short for anything else, Piet.

But I still owe you a pair of underpants.

Listen, they've been praying on mind these 15 years, consider them returned.

You are a gentleman, sir.

So, to what do I owe this honor?

I've got your man, Piet.

I've got your boatman.

Now that the life of Maarten Post has ended, we entrust him to god our father in whom rests the source of life and the eternal memory of their names.

His body we trust to the earth.

Earth to earth.

As the seed is sown, so until the harvest he is watched over by the maker of all things new.

I am the alpha and the omega.

The first and the last.

Ah, it's funny when you think about it.

What is it?

Well, I mean at the academy, I was the one to watch, wasn't I?

First in all the exams.

Groomed for the top.

[Pastor] Alone to him do we belong.

We were all groomed for the top, Hans.

Yes, but you were nearly thrown out, twice.

Ha, ha!

I was the one the stars looked down on.

Well, you've not done so badly.

Well, that's good coming from Commissaris Van Der Valk.

Are you happy, Hans?

Are you?

Who's happy, Piet?

Content.

You know, I love it here.

I'm not a city boy like you.

That's all a bit too fast for me.

A bit too fast for me sometimes.

A suggestion, Commissaris?

I've known these people for 10 years, Piet.

I can't make any exceptions, these are murder suspects.

All I am asking is leave the mother with a little dignity.

Anne Marie hasn't had it easy over the years.

The boy has a history of, well, he's a bit of a drinker.

His father, are you sure it was suicide?

Well, you know with drowning Piet, you can never be 100%.

Mm.

Commissaris, they're coming out.

I think I have to go now, mother.

Go?

Go where?

I'll take you home, Anne Marie.

What's happening?

No cuffs, no cuffs.

Gerrit, Gerrit, where are you going?

I need you.

Sorry, Mrs. Post.

I have to talk to your son.

What, what has he done?

Where are you taking him?

This way, Anne Marie, please.

Gerrit!

Gerrit!

Don't take him away!

Please, please, he hasn't done anything.

Come this way.

He hasn't done anything.

[ominous music] We were told by Kortman, amongst others, that the barrage at the Baarn Dike wouldn't affect our crops.

We believed them.

They promised enough tide, enough clean water.

But for three years running there were no seed mussels.

My father borrowed money.

He used his boat as collateral.

We moved north and bought new rights.

This year, no seeds.

The bank told him he had three weeks to come up with the money or they'd take the boat away.

When he discovered Kortman was connected to the same thing here as he did at the Baarn Dike, he cracked.

We pulled him out of the water last week.

And today we buried him.

He was 53 years old.

Paul Kortman murdered my father.

I just paid him back.

That's all.

I'm sorry about your nose.

My nose is the least of your worries Mr. Post.

Chief Inspector Vishnu will take care of your statement.

[ominous music] Well, you look happier.

Memories of a misspent youth.

Youth, wasted on the young.

Well, here's to your arrest.

Prost.

But I lost the patient.

We can't be expected to protect someone who doesn't want to be protected.

Oh, I know.

I know, but why did Kortman go out that night?

Who was he meeting?

Well it's irrelevant now, isn't it?

You've got the man.

Oh, yes, a full confession, very tidy.

Almost too tidy.

Mm-hm.

Well, I mean there's something about it.

It's almost as if Kortman was inviting it on himself.

Now even.

Why did he leave himself open to that danger at that time?

God knows there'd been enough threats.

I shouldn't worry about it, Piet.

Get yourself a little night's sleep.

We did our best.

By the way, did you hear the government's withdrawn its support for Kortman's project.

Citadel win.

Ah, Chief Inspector!

Come and join us.

Would you take a look at this, Commissaris.

From CRI, sir.

Mm-hm.

Have you checked this?

Next question.

Is this your sworn statement?

Yes, this is it.

You stand by every word?

Yes.

Mm.

So, where's the gun?

I told you, I threw it away into a canal.

Into a canal, yeah.

Into a canal somewhere by the Wester Dock.

Where'd you get the explosive?

From a man I met.

Oh, yes, this mysterious Irishman in a bar.

That's right.

Imagine an Irishman in a bar.

What was his name?

I can't recall.

What'd he look like?

Dark hair.

-And a limp?

-I don't-- Or a stutter!

What about a stutter, huh?

Mustache, wig?

I told you, I don't remember.

How did you know where Kortman was that night?

I just phoned him.

What's his number?

You don't remember!

You don't remember a lot of things, do you, Mr. Post.

You don't remember that on the night of Paul Kortman's murder you were in a cell in Rotterdam.

Charged with being drunk and disorderly.

In fact, you were arrested six times in the past two years for alcohol related offenses.

Weren't you?

Weren't you!

Why are you wasting my time, Mr. Post?

Why are you lying to me?

Why!

Been a loser all his life.

He just wanted to believe he'd done something right for once.

He nearly did at the conference.

How is the nose, by the way?

Doctors are optimistic.

That's a nice brooch you've got.

Oh, thank you.

My mother gave it to me.

It's jade.

Mm, is she?

Alive and kicking.

Back home in Paramaribo.

I had a look at your records.

Oh, yes?

You're going to the top, aren't you?

That depends.

On what?

On being 10% better than the rest.

Do I detect a chip on the shoulder?

No.

I just recognize the reality of living in a white, male dominated world, that's all.

Ouch.

Drink?

There's a place around the corner.

No, I think it's time time I was getting home.

Where's that?

I've got a little place in East Amsterdam.

Home to anyone in particular?

Come, come, Commissaris.

I'm married to the job.

Good night.

Aren't we all.

[ominous music] [keys rattling] Oh, marvelous.

[ominous music] [phone ringing] [groaning] [phone ringing] Ow!

[phone ringing] Van Der Valk.

Thank goodness you're there.

You've missed the briefing.

The briefing?

Ah yes.

I slept in.

I've covered for you, but I think you better get in here.

Um, yes.

Yes, I'll be in as quick as I can.

Bankrupt?

Not a penny.

As far as we can see, he's been in trouble for months.

No wonder Kortman was keen on this project.

But surely he was worth a fortune.

He was.

He was.

Last year he earned, or rather paid himself, 700,000.

God, where did all that go?

Gambling?

No, Marta de Kleine said he was always lucky at the tables.

Maybe he was paying some of his daughter's associates.

I don't know.

But there's someone who does.

No, no, you don't understand.

Firms like ours can be technically insolvent, but that has to be set against projected income for the future.

It's just a matter of cashflow, really.

So you mean at the start of a project all of the money is going in one direction.

Out.

But surely a man of Mr. Kortman's reputation could raise large sums from the bank.

I worked for Mr. Kortman for three years.

Since before we moved from the Hague.

I can tell you it was Mr. Kortman's private finances that were in a mess.

I thought that's why he didn't mention it before.

Before?

Before what?

Well.

I might be mistaken, but.

Go on.

Well, I couldn't really understand why all the fuss was only made after Irene was arrested and his project got the go ahead.

That's when the threats started, didn't they?

No, no they didn't.

They started long before.

Miss Mierle, I think you'd better begin at the beginning.

There you are.

Here 4,000.

Here 10.

October it was up to 15.

He was paying someone off.

Why didn't you tell us this before?

I didn't know there was anything on this machine.

He had a security code.

I found this in the safe today.

Still Waters.

Is it possible to make a tie up between these files and the official ones?

To see if a pattern emerges?

I don't know.

I could give it a try.

Mm.

[dog barking] [knocking] Yes?

Miss de Kleine?

Yes.

Marta de Kleine?

That's me.

Special delivery.

[ominous music] Don't even think about screaming.

Ah, bad news, Commissaris, or good.

Depending how you see it.

And how do you see it, Jan?

Teo Slutters has been arrested.

In Bangkok.

He's been there fore three weeks as far as we know.

Well, that's one more name off the list at least.

Yeah.

Oh, and by the way, I'm taking Wim and Plesman off the case.

Well you don't want to keep your eye on me anymore, Jan?

Commissaris, how could you suspect such a thing?

Ha, ha.

[murmuring] Can I have a word?

Is it official?

No, it's, um.

Well, later then.

Look, I need to-- I said later.

Yes, sir.

When you're ready, Inspector.

Thank you, now we've just discovered that Kortman had been receiving threats to his life for the past six months.

Now, we think he may have been blackmailed.

Six months?

In other words, this probably had nothing to do with his daughters narcotics activities nor Kortman's project for that matter.

[groaning] Okay, that'll do.

So, it means we're gonna cast the net even wider.

Chief Inspector Vishnu has worked out new rotors which you can peruse at your leisure in the next two minutes.

We're going through every letter, file, document in the light of this new information.

I want to know more about this man, than he knew himself.

That's all, thank you.

Sir, I think you should look at these.

I took them at Maarten Post's funeral.

I've just had them developed.

Marijke Dekker.

What was she doing at Hendricks Hoff?

[ominous music] There she is.

[screeching tires] What are you trying to do, kill me?

No, I just want to ask a few questions.

Why shouldn't I be at his funeral?

He was my uncle!

-Your uncle?

-Yes!

You gave his son, Gerrit, inside information on the conference center, didn't you?

You put him to throwing the mussels.

Yes.

Yes, I did.

Why not?

Someone might have been killed, that's why not.

He was supposed to back the van up to the entrance and spread the mussels there for when the cameras got there.

God knows why he went up to the roof.

[sighing] You were with your mother in Rotterdam the following night.

Gerrit was with you, wasn't he?

He got drunk, we had an argument.

I made exactly the point you did about people getting hurt.

He couldn't take it.

Commissaris, radio message from the station.

Hannie Mierle wants to see you urgently.

Right.

Don't take any foreign holidays Mrs. Dekker, we'll be back.

Oh, Commissaris, I did as you asked with the files but I got no where.

So?

Well, the thing is I found something else.

You see, someone was paying him.

I found these checks.

Who's Kroese?

Thanks very much, out.

The Hague, Kroese hasn't been seen for two days.

Neither at home nor at work.

[rattling] [ominous music] Out.

Out!

[ominous music] On the bonnet, come on, open it.

There's the key, key.

That's it, that's it.

Open it, good.

Well where is it?

What?

What have you done!

What have you done, where is it?

What have you done with-- I don't know where-- -Where have you?

-[gunshot] Somebody call the police, please!

Help!

Help!

We'll be right there, out.

Step on it.

He said that he was going to kill me if I didn't open it.

But it was empty.

There was nothing in it.

And then the gun went off.

Sir, they lost him.

Now listen, Marta.

Do you have any idea where he might have gone?

I think I know exactly where he's gone, Commissaris.

[ominous music] [beeping] [murmuring] Kroese, how are you?

Have you come to make me a happy man?

To satisfy myself.

Kroese, this isn't your style.

I've had it.

Everything's gone.

Now, just give me the IOUs.

I think the late Mr. Kortman's the man who had your IOUs.

Now put down the gun and nobody's gonna get hurt.

It's a good idea, Mr. Kroese.

Hey!

Take your own advice.

[Officer] Nobody move!

Just disarming him for you, Commissaris.

Always ready to help the police.

Very strange place to find the likes of you, Mr. Kroese.

Get them all out of here.

Come on, let's go.

Come on.

Move along.

Watch your manners, come on, move it.

The place is irrelevant.

As is the horse or the wheel or the cart.

What's the attraction then, winning money?

Money?

Oh, no.

Commissaris, certainly not winning.

I have no interest in winning mere games.

I have no use for skill.

What I want, what I need is pure, undistilled chance.

And that glorious moment between the instant you make the bet and the moment the card flips.

And the shorter the time the bigger the hit.

And the quicker the come down, the quicker you need the next hit and the next, and the next, and the next.

I'm an adrenaline addict, Commissaris.

Gambling is only the syringe.

What did Kortman have on you?

He purchased my bad debts off Malen then he used me.

Oh, his project wouldn't have gotten past the draft memo stage if it hadn't been for me.

I had to falsify the figures for the Baarn Dike project.

So the farmers and the fishermen were right?

Well, let's say they had a point.

You say Kortman left you at 3:00 that day.

He went to payoff Malen.

Pay Malen again?

I believe Mr. Malen had renegotiated the deal.

From what I hear, money had been a bit tight with Kortman.

Yes.

Yes, I heard that too.

I don't kill my customers.

He owed me money.

He paid it off the last time I saw him.

I might have persuaded him it was in his best interest to do so, but I didn't kill him.

Does persuading include trying to blow him up?

I'd heard you're a clever man, Commissaris.

Has it never seemed strange to you that no one was injured by the bomb?

What do you mean?

What am I looking at here?

If you didn't kill him.

Oh, come off it.

Three, maybe four years.

What can we do?

No guarantees.

Then no information.

I'll do my best.

If you keep quiet, I'll go for your throat.

He got a phone call on his mobile.

A woman, I don't know who.

It seemed to bother him.

He left straight away.

The next I heard, he was at the bottom of the canal.

So how many people knew the number of your husband's mobile phone?

Not many.

Hannie Mierle, my daughter.

Mm-hm.

Maybe his girlfriend, I don't know.

And you.

Yes, me, I knew it.

Did you phone him on the night of his death?

No.

Well he had a call.

From a woman.

I'm afraid communication between my husband and I had not been at a premium, Commissaris.

Maybe if it had been, he might never had met Miss de Kleine.

Or got involved with the gambling.

Do you blame yourself for that?

Good afternoon, Miss Kortman.

Commissaris, don't let me disturb you.

No, that's quite all right, I've finished.

I'll see you out.

Thank you.

Oh, by the way, on the day of the explosion, didn't you find it curious that neither of you was injured.

And yet you were so close.

Well, I mustn't take up more of your time.

Ladies.

Do you think we planted it ourselves?

Yes, you're right, that is a thought.

I'll just catch you with these, Commissaris.

Yeah.

What are they?

Duty rosters and over time payments.

Speaking of which, Mr. Samson was on the line.

Oh, you couldn't catch me before I left.

Yes, Commissaris.

That's what I told him.

What's this?

I haven't the faintest idea.

I have information to your advantage.

Come to the Town House at 1300 hours.

Come alone.

There's no signature.

[murmuring] This way, Commissaris.

Thank you.

[murmuring] Piet, where's Wim?

Wim, I don't know.

I got a note.

I imagined it was to do with the case.

Obviously I was mistaken.

Don't you even recognize your own son's handwriting?

What?

I asked him to get you here.

I see.

Have we met?

Oh, how rude of me.

Piet, this is Eddie.

Eddie Haas.

Peter.

Mr. Haas.

Well, cat's out of the bag now.

What?

No, not at the moment, thank you.

Sorry I'm late.

Will someone please tell me what is going on?

Communicating with you the last few days has been impossible.

Please leave a message after the series of grunts.

This was the only way I could think of to get you along.

Show him.

Happy anniversary.

Well!

I specialize in portraits from photographs.

Surprise commissions, I call them.

Do you like it?

Yeah, it's uh, absolutely marvelous.

Anniversary, I completely forgot.

Thank you, darling.

Huh.

Well, you got the nose right, anyway.

Oh!

[chuckling] Use this if anything happens to me.

Have we checked the handwriting?

It was definitely Kortman's.

What does it really mean?

Presumably it was details of Kroese's gambling debts.

Yes, well obviously Kroese thought so.

But there must be something else.

I mean, the box was empty.

Someone got there first.

Maybe there were two keys.

Or the envelope was intercepted.

I presume I posted it.

It's more than a presumption, Miss Mierle.

You were the only person who had full access to Mr. Kortman's correspondence.

Everything went through you, didn't it?

Well, of course it did.

I was his PA. And he sealed this envelope and gave it to you?

He may have done.

I was just wondering about something else, Miss Mierle.

What was that?

I was wondering how the information on the computer about Kroese came up so rapidly and so very conveniently.

What are you accusing me of?

Please don't worry.

I'm not accusing you of anything.

Just trying to tie up some loose ends, that's all.

If you think of anything you'll call me, won't you?

Goodbye.

Are you sure about this, Commissaris?

That's an hour now and still no sign.

I know.

But she was hiding something.

She knows more about Kortman than she was letting on.

I think she did empty that box and put Kroese unto a false trail but she's not a killer.

She was not working alone.

Well, Tony.

She's up and running.

The point is, who's she running to?

[revving engine] [ominous music] Thank god you're here.

They're unto us.

[De Groot] What have you told them?

Nothing, I've told them nothing.

But I think they know I took the IOUs out of the box.

Did they mention me?

No, but I'm scared.

We shouldn't have started all this.

But Hannah, it was you who found out about Kortman.

They can't link me with it at all.

But you said there was no risk.

We could milk them both.

You told me to phone Mr. Kortman.

You didn't have to kill him.

Yes, that was a mistake.

But he threatened to expose us.

Let's get out of here.

This place gives me the creeps.

I don' think so.

I'm sorry, Hannah.

It was fun while it lasted.

Never trust a lawyer.

[screaming] Get out!

[Hannie screaming] [Piet] Not so fast.

[Hannie screaming] Mr. De Groot.

I do hope this gavotte will not prove too wearisome for you.

Ah!

[sirens wailing] [gun clicking] [light music]