LASTWEEK
l just missed him. l'm sure it was him.
Here you are, Mr Vander Velde. - Thank you.
Room 21
The tenancy agreement is signed Joachim Klaus.
We finally know what he looks like.
But why Jonkhere Bank and who he's working for...
Good morning.
Permanent Secretary Desmet is expecting my call.
Yet he makes the mistake of letting his dick rule his head.
Probably a promiscuous woman who slept with lots of different men.
And a regular customer at Madame Kempinaire's in Tervuren.
Hi. Look who it is. What a surprise!
Who wants to destroy Salamander?
Only the Public Prosecutor and Gerardi know about us.
But they aren't the burglars. And we know nothing about those burglars.
Oh dear. That looks serious.
Surely we don't need to feel sorry for them?
They're coming. They're coming. Get everything ready. They're coming.
Look after yourself. - See you later, eh? See you later.
lt's here.
No, pal! No, no!
What's going on? That's the wrong direction. Bloody hell!
ls Dad back yet? - Not yet, sweetheart.
Who's saying that Dad is a thief?
Everyone. - Are they?
Yes, Mum. And a traitor too.
11 SEPTEMBER 1944
Stop it. Stop it. Leave us alone.
He's been back here. Four people have seen him here.
That's not true, Jos. He's gone. l don't know where he is.
The postmaster said you received a letter from Antwerp.
ls that true? - Yes.
From him? - Yes.
Was there money in it? - Mind your own business.
Answer me, you bloody bitch! - l don't know where he is. l don't.
l'll be back, l'm telling you. Goddammit!
Get out of my house! - Come on, let's go.
Come on, darling. Stay a bit closer to me.
Prime Minister. This is Vande Kerckhove, the King's Principal Private Secretary.
How are things? l'm pleased to hear that.
Sorry to come straight to the point but the King is starting to worry
about these suicides and resignations. Has the situation been cleared up yet?
No, unfortunately not. We still have no idea what's going on.
We're doing all we can but l don't have anything definite to tell you.
But l can promise you...
The Palace isn't interested in promises.
What are you actually doing? The police are just kicking their heels.
We've heard that the Security Service was not brought in until Wednesday.
Well, uh... - Listen, it is insupportable
that our country comes across as being unable to defend itself.
The King is expecting an immediate signal from you. D'you hear me?
That we have the situation under control
or at least a signal that gives that impression.
What l mean is... Someone needs to be made an example of.
l want someone's head. D'you understand?
l want someone's head.
Flemish peasant!
Ah, Vincent, it's the Prime Minister. We need to talk, urgently.
The King wants a scapegoat as quickly as possible for the...
well, for the whole business and...
Who did you say?
What's up? You're behaving so strangely. - Well, sir...
l was sure l was being followed. ls that possible?
But you didn't see anyone? - No.
So what's the problem?
Well... Well...
D'you know what it is? l'm worried about you.
You say you hardly sleep. You're not eating. And then all this here.
l'll tell you what. Go and get some rolls. We'll eat them here together.
Then you can keep an eye on me to see if l'm eating enough. OK?
OK. Do l have to get you anything else? - Hold on, l'll give you some money.
Here you are.
What do you want? Something healthy, eh?
Yes, Bart, that's agreed. Thanks. Ah, Marc, you're already here.
Prime Minister. - l hadn't expected you yet.
The King wants a scapegoat. - And if the King wants something...
And l'm the scapegoat.
Yes. And, to be honest, not entirely undeservedly.
l mean, as the Minister of Justice
the Security Service, the Public Prosecutor come under you
and they've both failed. - What are you trying to say?
Come on. For goodness' sake. l've got my sources too.
You're not doing anything because the Public Prosecutor doesn't want
an investigation into who's been causing all the panic recently.
Who is your source?
Send Vincent in, please.
l expect you already know Vincent Noël.
l'm about to put him forward for the position of lnternal Security Adviser.
Yes?
Right, we were talking about Public Prosecutor Persigal.
And that there are reasons not to trust him. Take a seat.
You can speak freely, Vincent. Go on. Go on.
Well, uh... Apparently the Public Prosecutor
was warned last week by someone
that some prominent figures would be discredited.
Or threatened. - Who is this someone?
A man called Raymond Jonkhere. A banker. A worthy man.
l don't know him personally but he is apparently very well connected.
Jonkhere Bank on Eisenhowerlaan belongs to him, doesn't it?
But the Public Prosecutor didn't do anything.
Why would he? Did anyone report anything?
Did Jonkhere himself report anything?
So what should Persigal have done? - React.
That's not for you to say.
You're a civil servant. You can't dictate to someone like him.
Take it easy. You're right. lt's not up to him...
Persigal is the best Public Prosecutor Brussels has had for years.
What's going on? - That may well be,
but he still knew about that threat.
And now the King wants a head to roll.
Do you know anyone else?
Anyway, Persigal is lying. He's carrying out his own investigation.
Who says so? - l do.
With your approval.
So, if l understand correctly, a secret investigation
with your approval, unknown to me.
At a time when the whole country is on edge. That's serious, eh?
ls it true?
lt can always be your head, Marc.
Think of your career. You're young. This is your first term of office.
So... is it true?
Yes or no?
Right. l have to go and see the committee.
Twenty minutes. Stay where you are, Marc.
See you in a minute.
Tell me about...
Paul Gerardi.
This isn't fair. This isn't fair.
l can't do that. l really can't do that.
l think you can.
Good news. The Minister of Justice has sold the Public Prosecutor out.
l said he would. He is now well and truly stuck.
Gerardi will have to surface now he's unprotected.
Right, and the Prime Minister?
He doesn't suspect a thing. Trusts me completely.
Right, thank you.
Hello, Carl.
D'you remember you left some photos here with Brother Victor?
That's what l'm calling about.
He... He's spent some time looking into it.
And he thinks your case is linked to the Second World War.
Yes. Spika. Does that mean anything to you?
British parachutists supposedly landed in the area, but he's not sure of that.
But it was certainly April '44, So you'd better get back here.
Thanks for seeing me so quickly. - Would you like a coffee?
What bad news are you bringing me?
lt certainly is bad news, unfortunately.
There have been informal talks between the Minister of Justice and the PM.
What did you say?
Our service is being taken over by the Ministry of the lnterior.
Without me being told?
We may no longer take orders from you from next Monday.
Bloody hell.
l'm sorry.
l've had enough. Yolande. - Yes?
Call Jonkhere Bank, make an appointment with Raymond Jonkhere. lmmediately.
Same place as before.
ls that a good idea, sir? - Jonkhere thinks he can do as he likes.
You're driving, Adams. l'll feel easier then.
No, l'm not talking to you. l've got an appointment with Jonkhere.
l don't even know you. - l'm the PM's future security adviser.
So? l'll wait here for Jonkhere.
Jonkhere is no longer interested in you.
And if you don't cooperate, he'll have you replaced.
l'm a judge. D'you know that? l've been appointed for life. D'you know that?
Stop it, pal.
You were only appointed thanks to Jonkhere and his connections.
You know exactly what l mean. You don't show any respect?
Well, then you lose your job.
Unless you do something for them. - What? Do something for them?
Public Prosecutor...
give us Gerardi. He can cause damage. To you, to the country, to everyone.
Come back to Salamander. And you will end your career in glory.
My honour is more important than my career, you know.
lt's already over anyway, if l understand your tone correctly.
The only thing l can and will do is stop you bunch of parasites.
Tell Jonkhere that.
Gerardi is an honest man.
You murdered his wife. Don't forget that.
We have to start with this photo here. Of the Resistance in April 1944 .
l've scanned it in. Then you'll be able to see what l mean better.
OK, look. l haven't found anything about these three gentlemen here.
But this smart gentleman here...
And?
Yes...
Seems familiar.
Emile Jonkhere. Raymond's father and the bank's founder.
Correct. There's a painting of him in the bank.
Apparently, during the war he was in charge
of the Spika group, a Resistance cell
that carried out bomb attacks and sabotage against the Nazis.
And Salamander?
l don't know. The name of an operation?
Salamander...
Hold on. This drawing. Senator Rasenberg had a picture of an animal like that.
With a snake round it. And text below it.
Perseveranter. - Yes.
Look...
Amsterdam, 17th century. Jacob Lescaille. That's his emblem.
Who is he? - Mainly a printer.
Also a crook. And someone who abused people's trust.
And so on and so on. But that's not important.
What is important is that 300 years later
Jonkhere uses the same salamander as his emblem.
He knows exactly what he is doing.
Money, power, abuse. You name it.
Look. Here it is. Perseveranter: they will never give up.
They feel invulnerable like a salamander in fire.
They have the power of the snake that bites its own tail
and forms a circle. There is no end to their power.
Hello, darling.
Has he phoned you? - Who?
Who do you think? - Oh. No.
What does he do for a living?
lnvestigative work for an insurance company.
Which company? - Dad, l've only seen him once.
Are you staying home today?
No, l've got an appointment with my financial adviser. But not here.
He's a strange guy. You behave differently when he's here.
What are the two of you working on?
The family's future.
Won't take much longer. Don't worry.
... consequences. ln many large companies
important changes at the top have occurred in a short space of time,
which proves that Belgium still hasn't recovered economically and politically
from the wave of resignations and suicides
of executives, senior officials and industrialists.
This is about people's lives.
Two people died without you telling me.
OK, maybe that was unavoidable.
But not this. Not this. l said no innocent people.
Your contract was very clear on that. - Fine. l'll quit.
That's not what l mean.
l don't want any more people dying. - lt's not up to you.
You just have to pay. l decide what happens.
And if you're going to get too sentimental, then that's it.
Here are the next three names. Bishop De Jonge, the vicar general
and De Laet, chairman of the national airport.
Do what's necessary.
Dammit!
ARCHlVES & DOCUMENTATlON SECOND WORLD WAR
Here you are. That's what we've got on Emile Jonkhere.
Thank you. - You mean the Jonkhere from Brussels?
The founder of Jonkhere Bank? - Yeah, yeah.
This is an overview of the Spika group,
the Resistance movement Jonkhere was in charge of.
Their operations against the Germans are listed chronologically, per region.
lt also says where the original reports can be found.
Here or at the Public Records Office or the Ministry of Public Prosecution.
OK. l'm actually only interested in April '44,
Oh, OK. Then l can put the rest away again.
Thank you. - lf you have any questions, just ask.
Thank you.
No, it's the Public Prosecutor who wants to talk to the Minister. lt's urg...
This is awful for you. - Try again.
But sir...
This is Yolande, the Public Prosecutor's secretary...
There. They're all abandoning you.
All of them. - Right.
lf he won't take my call, l'll go and see him.
Just a minute, sir. Your medication. Your medication.
You're going to get too wound up.
RESlSTANCE HERO JONKHERE HONOURED
JONKHERE DECORATED
RESlSTANCE HERO DlES
SON TAKES OVER JONKHERE BANK
MARCH 1944
MAY 1944
JUNE 1944
AUGUST 1944
How long, Marc? How long did you defend me?
What did they promise you to betray me? Another term of office?
l don't care about my career. l've got a wife, kids. l want to stay alive.
l want to stay alive too. So does Gerardi.
For God's sake, give them Gerardi. - No way!
There's something you don't know.
The King wants a scapegoat.
And that's me? - Yes.
lf you don't cooperate, you're done for.
Was there any mention of Salamander? - No. Nor Jonkhere Bank.
The PM doesn't know anything about it. They've even infiltrated his office.
Can you imagine how powerful they are?
Who are you referring to? Vincent Noël? - Vincent Noël, yes.
Oh right. lt's like that, is it?
So you promised him you'd persuade me to hand Gerardi over?
Yes. Do it. Then we're safe.
You poor soul. You poor bastard.
You're right. April '44 is missing at the Public Records Office too.
That's strange. l can try the Military Court.
Maybe everything's at the Public Prosecutor's Office.
ls it a secret file?
No, it certainly isn't. Shall l try the Public Prosecutor's office?
Yes, or try Salamander.
What? Just type in ''salamander''? - Yes.
No. l'll ask Mr Vande Vijver.
He doesn't know either. That's a shame.
Maybe you can start copying the other files
and l'll carry on looking. - Thank you.
The photocopier is there. - OK.
l'd like to speak to Mr Jonkhere, please.
My name is Vande Vijver. He knows me.
Say that again.
What does he look like?
Bloody hell.
He is actually looking for April '44?
ls he still there? Well, go and take a look then.
l've posted the three envelopes. Was there anything else?
No, no, thank you. And let's forget our conversation this afternoon. OK?
Yes. l'll call you later.
ST ROCH BOYS' ORPHANAGE
2 SEPTEMBER 1951
Gilbert Dewulf. - Gil.
Gilbert or Gil, it doesn't matter any more. Here you are number 640 . Well?
640 , madam.
Mother died 14 August 1951 , St John's Hospital, Brussels.
Pneumonia.
What happened to your father? Harry Dewulf, disappeared April '44,
l've got the documents here.
Was he a collaborator?
What did he do?
Be glad Brussels Benevolent Society is paying for everything.
Even for a traitor's child.
That's Mr Marcel. Do as he tells you. Understand?
Tell me who you are. -640 , madam.
You may go.
Empty your pockets.
ls that your father?
Great, eh? He abandons you and now l'm stuck with you.
Typical of a collaborator.
What have you got in your hand? - Nothing.
Liar. Open your hand. Come on, open your hand. You stubborn child!
Come on. - Give it back. lt belongs to my...
Oh, it's your father's?
Here. l'll swap it for that bullet.
lt still works.
Alright.
But l will be keeping a close eye on you, pal.
Go on, take your things.
The court martial in Brussels sentenced his father to death.
To be shot.
ln his absence. He's on the run.
That's just a notice.
So treason, theft, assault and an informer?
Apparently he ran off with the Resistance's money. Millions.
The thing is, it's quite possible he may come here to see his son.
So l wanted to ask you...
l'll let you know if his father appears.
Mum.
No. Mum, no. Mum. No.
Mum, no.
Mum, no. No.
l knew it! You've wet the bed again! Get up!
Bring your sheets with you, bed-wetter.
Come on, this way.
Throw that in there.
Listen... We won't tell anyone.
lt'll be our secret.
Go in. Go on.
640 !
Heaven help you if you open your mouth. D'you hear? You didn't see a thing.
Oh yes, 640 , l've got news from Brussels about your father.
He's been sentenced to death.
You're lying. - Am l?
lf they find him, they'll tie him to a post.
And six gendarmes will shoot him. From very close by.
On your knees.
Arms in the air. Come on.
Back straight.
Come with me.
This is the new girl from class 4STW .
What do you want? Coke, beer, chocolate, sweets, cigarettes?
l want to make a phone call.
OK.
This is the only mobile in the whole school.
You'd better not grass on me to the headmistress.
Who are you going to call? - My father.
You've only been here a week.
My mother is dead.
Could you leave us alone for a moment?
Sofie? Sweetheart, are you allowed to phone? How are things there?
Oh, great. Yes. Everything is fine here, but l'm in the car at the moment.
lt doesn't matter if you haven't got time now, Dad.
l was just a bit worried about you, but l feel better now.
You're driving. You have to hang up.
Don't worry. l like being here.
Remember that, eh? l really, really like being here.
Yes, l'll remember that. And l love you very, very much.
Remember that too.
Bye, sweetie. Bye-bye. Bye.
Thank you.
Did your mother have an accident? - Yes.
My father did too. l was there. - So was l.
l'm Nicola. - l'm Sofie.
lf you need anything else, it's free. Unless those two are there too.
l don't want any arguments. - OK.
NEXTWEEK
Surprised to see me, Mr Noël?
You would take us to Gerardi.
And you've come to do it now.
Who reported it?
lt was an anonymous call on an internal line.
They want to give a signal, to you to stop
and to members of Salamander to keep quiet.
Yes?