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INSPECTOR REX
*** A LA CARTE
Your husband's food was superb as usual, Mrs Konrad.
Thank you. I'll tell him.
You've turned this into a great place, Stefan.
Congratulations. Vienna's mad about it.
I can't complain.
It's all about good management.
Mick should be grateful.
Well, a chef is part of that.
Excuse me. I've things to do. Back soon.
Serve them a bottle of wine on the house.
Stefan...
- What's up? - I rang you at home.
Haven't you checked your machine?
No.
Stefan, you can't just dump me.
Tina... It's over. Over!
- Don't you get it? - Don't treat me like dirt.
Whatever... it's your problem.
It could become one for you.
Tina, two cognacs for table 2.
The guests are waiting.
A salad, saddle of venison, two lamb and one quail.
Hirschmann...
Didn't the chefs show you how to beat a zabaglione?
***! I'm falling asleep watching you.
Please...
Cover the quails with port, don't drown them.
Otherwise, very good. And add some thyme.
Food is to be treated with love and care.
With sensitivity.
Don't look like little innocents.
Good.
- Out! No cigars in here! - Okay, I get the message.
- We have to talk. - Make it short. I'm busy.
Tomorrow the State Opera's booked, along with the press.
- I know. - So go for it.
Look, I know about cooking.
And show your face outside. People like that.
No. Even if you want me to, I'm not your puppet.
You're the show-off.
You've been behaving strangely lately.
Don't forget I built this place up.
We existed before you. Don't forget that.
And you live very well off it too.
Desserts for table 9!
What's going on here?
Bad vibes!
Your husband's in a bad mood again.
- What's up? - Nothing. Why?
Arguing again about who's more important?
I'm not arguing.
He's up there drowning himself in red wine.
And only the best.
- I feel like going somewhere. - I don't. I'm dead tired.
- Just one drink. - No.
- Don't be so boring. - No. I'm worn out.
Can't you think of anything besides cooking?
Why are we married?
Listen, I'm not in the mood for this now.
Well, then...
I'm not going home just yet.
So what's new?
- What's up? - We have to talk, Stefan.
Don't treat me like dirt.
There's nothing to say.
That's not what you used to say.
Listen, are you thick or what? It's over. Finished!
Are you absolutely sure?
Don't you want it any more?
Button up your blouse.
Not so long ago you liked it.
Please...
The barmaid isn't good enough for Mr Gruber.
He has bigger fish to fry.
Poison...
Böck...
That trendy restaurant where everyone goes?
Coming.
Surely not!
Where's my belt?
Rex!
Where's my belt?
Let's do a deal.
You give back my belt and I'll get you a biscuit.
Well?
First the belt.
Don't look at me. The vet put you on the diet.
He thinks you're too fat.
Look! Four more days.
Exhibit 3, a cigar only two-thirds smoked.
Exhibit 4, a red wine glass.
I didn't even get a coffee.
Don't order one here. This is for high-flyers only.
- Morning. - Hi, Richard.
- Found anything? - Yes...
The man died about three hours ago.
Cause of death?
I can't tell you right away.
Can I say something too?
An anonymous woman rang and mentioned poison.
When the ambulance arrived he was dead.
Externally there's no sign that he was poisoned.
Well, let's have a post-mortem. Who is the man?
Hang on!
Stefan Gruber, 33 years...
Let go of me! What's happened?
May I ask who you are?
I'm Liz Konrad.
I'm Mick Konrad. I'm the owner.
- What's happened? - You know this man?
He's Stefan Gruber, my manager and partner.
So let's go downstairs.
I drove home and went to bed. I was dead tired.
But my wife...
I went for a drink and was home by 3. My husband was asleep.
The police called us at around 4.30 a.m.
Did Mr Gruber have any health problems?
He had a heart attack a few years ago.
But he lived an unhealthy lifestyle.
Mr Moser, I must go to the markets.
They close at 7.30 a.m.
Our restaurant will be closed. I'll have to cancel my orders.
Fine.
My wife will attend to you.
Who else was here when you left?
Tina Egger, the barmaid.
She was cleaning up when we left.
She and Stefan were the last.
Stefan was upstairs doing the books.
When did they start working together?
About two years ago.
Stefan had very good contacts.
With the media and with high society.
That was my dog, I'm afraid.
I can't leave you for one minute.
Does this go here?
- Sorry, Mrs Konrad, but... - Is he hungry?
No, he's not hungry.
Tell me, where does Mr Gruber live?
He has a villa at 36 Scheffler Lane.
And how can I contact Tina Egger?
At home, I think.
Number?
Rex? Where is he?
In the kitchen?
What's up, Rex?
Excuse me, what happened?
I don't know.
Come, Rex.
Ms Egger?
It is you, right?
What a coincidence!
Moser, Crime Squad.
Mr Stefan Gruber was found murdered. Did you know?
No.
- Did you work last night? - Yes.
Tell me about it.
It was just the usual.
I was behind the bar all night.
By 1.30 a.m. I'd balanced the till and cleaned up.
When did you last see Stefan Gruber?
Around that time.
He picked up the drink dockets and went to his office.
- What are you doing here? - Going for a walk.
You drove across Vienna to go for a walk here?
- Yes, why not? - This is where Mr Gruber lives!
What's your dog doing?
No idea.
Stay there.
Hey!
Hey! Stop the truck.
Come down. What's going on?
What are you doing?
What's that in your mouth? Show me.
Is this yours?
Hello, Stefan. Tina here.
Call me at home. We have to talk. Bye.
I've been waiting for an hour. You'd better call me.
It's midday.
Don't think you can get out of this so easily.
Do something or you'll be sorry! We must talk tonight.
Ms Egger, that wasn't exactly a friendly call.
We think you had a motive to kill Stefan Gruber.
- I didn't kill him. - But you threatened him.
If you think a relationship is a motive
you'd better ask Mrs Konrad.
Mrs Konrad was having an affair with Stefan.
Her husband's partner! What a cheek!
A woman like Mrs Konrad, I'm not in her league.
But she was in the Omega Bar between 1 and 3 a.m.
The barkeeper confirmed it.
Where was Mr Konrad?
He has a motive too.
Lately those two are always fighting.
You're not helping yourself by accusing others.
You were the last to see him. Did you kill him?
How dare you say that! I called the ambulance.
Interesting! You didn't mention that before.
I was there when Stefan collapsed.
He said he'd been poisoned.
I panicked and rang the ambulance.
To the good life. Cheers, Richard!
- Anything new? - Well, Richard...
Gruber was poisoned with this wine.
Chateau Petrus, 1 989 vintage, a French Pomerol.
A high content of Merlot...
a smooth bouquet of cassis... a great wine!
One bottle costs about 4000 schillings.
Nothing's wrong with the wine.
But the glass Gruber used
contained high doses of digitalis.
The heart drug?
It's prescribed for a weak heart to stabilise the heartbeat.
But with an overdose, the heartbeat slowed down
and eventually stopped.
- How long would it take? - Difficult to say.
But with the amount of digitalis in his blood
Gruber must have died very quickly.
And we were lucky.
Digitalis decomposes within 24 hours and can't be traced.
Gruber's death would have looked like heart failure.
I see.
Very fitting for someone who's had a heart attack.
The Chateau Petrus arrived yesterday. It's still in the box.
There's the carton.
Doesn't look like it.
One bottle's missing.
Maybe Stefan took it. He always had wine after work.
Did they socialise privately?
They were a good team. Mick couldn't handle money.
Stefan did the paperwork and marketing.
But they also argued a lot.
Like anyone, when you work together day and night.
It must be hard to be married to such a man.
Right?
Mick's always busy with his cooking.
Is that why you had an affair with Mr Gruber?
- What makes you say that? - I asked around.
It's not true?
Our affair and his death are not related.
Ever thought of getting a divorce?
No, never!
- Your husband knew about it? - Of course not.
And I ask you not to tell him.
I can't promise that.
Do the police know about their affair?
Good. So they won't suspect you.
They might find out.
Then play the shocked husband. You can, right?
I don't think I can cope, Mum.
I'm here with you. Don't worry.
We must act just as we normally do.
Then nothing can happen.
Yes.
Böck...
Is it safe to eat in front of Rex?
Sure.
You just have to trick him.
The pros do it like this...
Maintain constant eye contact.
Then slowly try to get to your ham roll.
Like this.
Then...
Böck here... What's up?
What do you mean, it will take time?
Yes, I'll tell him.
Put me on to Huber. Yes, I'll wait.
I'll call you back.
I don't believe it!
Böck, I told you not to feed him.
I didn't.
- No, I didn't. - So what's that?
- Yes? - Hello.
My wife said you wanted me.
Please, Mr Konrad.
We now know that your partner, Mr Gruber, was poisoned.
Poisoned?
With digitalis.
A drug used to stabilise circulation.
- How awful. - Yes, isn't it?
And something here grabs...
.... Our attention.
Your relationship with your partner.
Stefan and I worked very well together.
- Despite his affair with Liz? - Stefan and Liz?
Never!
You're saying you had no idea what was going on?
It's absurd.
You used to run the place with your mother.
Yes. But I want her to take it easy now.
We'd like to talk to her.
Please tell us where she is.
She just rang.
She's on her way back from a health resort.
- Want a wine, Mum? - No thanks, later.
I'll be finished in a minute.
I did it the way you like it.
Try it.
- Like it? - Delicious, Mum.
Vienna roast with carrot sauce. Our Sunday feast.
When I was a good boy we went on the big dipper.
And you bought me such a big fairy floss.
- It was wonderful, Mum. - You were a lovely child, Michi.
Mum... The police know about the digitalis.
So?
It's like any other drug. What does it prove?
- They want to talk to you. - Why me?
I was at a health spa and went to bed at 8.30 p.m.
- You're sure nobody saw you? - Certain.
I'm no longer young, but I'm not stupid.
Gruber will no longer come between us.
Everything will be as it used to be, Michi.
I'm scared, Mum.
I did it for you, Michi.
I know how much you suffered because of Gruber.
I never thought you'd go that far.
No, no. You aren't doing anything today.
Sit down at the table.
Here. So you don't get stains on your new shirt.
- It's nice, isn't it? - Yes. It suits you.
There you are.
- Really great, Mum. - Not too dry?
It melts in your mouth.
You're so normal!
Got nothing better to do than stuff yourselves?
Don't use that tone with us.
Not too dry?
No, Mum. It melts in your mouth.
It makes me puke.
Are you off your rocker?
No, just fed up with your nonsense.
Was Stefan good in bed, Elisabeth?
You swine.
Whether I'm the swine or you remains to be seen.
If you really want to know...
He was great in bed.
Shut up! Don't forget where you came from, you...
Mum!
I'll get it.
Hello.
Sorry it's so late. I want to talk to your mother.
No problem. We're having dinner, but...
Please come in.
This is lnspector Moser.
- My mother Elvira Konrad. - Hello.
Please take a seat. Would you like a wine?
No, thanks.
I'd like to talk in private...
- If that's possible. - But why?
We all know what it's about. But...
Michi, if the lnspector wants, we'll go outside.
I don't understand your stupid behaviour.
Since when is smoking allowed in here?
As of today.
How did you get on with Mr Gruber?
I got on very well with Stefan.
He was important for my son.
He was full of new ideas.
Did you know about their disagreements?
No. They got on very well.
They both knew they needed each other to make a good team.
You gave up the management two years ago, right?
Look, my son and l built this business up.
And there comes a time when you quit.
Do you know what I think?
Your son wanted to get rid of Gruber.
Why do you say that?
It became too much for him.
Gruber sort of took over. So your son has a motive.
You have no proof of that.
Good morning.
What is it?
A few questions about the Konrads.
Thanks.
So Liz Konrad isn't your friend. How did she get into the family?
She was a little secretary.
Mick's mother accepted Liz. She was submissive.
- How did they get on? - At first it worked out.
Later on they argued a lot.
Mrs Konrad's very domineering. She wants the son to herself.
So she would have a motive.
- If you think she's capable... - Do you?
Yes.
Do you think she knows something?
She's not behaving normally.
She just won't listen.
- Maybe she's moody. - I hope that's all.
Would you like to help?
I haven't had breakfast yet.
Watch yourself, right?
And you too.
Telephone, Mr Koch. Here.
Yes?
Hi, Max. You like good food, right?
I know of a place.
Yes, I've read about it.
Order a bottle of Chateau Petrus, 1 989.
Chateau Petrus. Petrus, after Peter the Apostle.
Good. See what happens.
Waiter, cancel the sausages. I'll be out for dinner.
- Sorry, dogs aren't allowed. - That's fine.
- The number, please? - 206, second floor.
As manager of this establishment I must be discreet.
We're trying to solve a violent crime.
I can only say, Mrs Konrad's been coming here for 1 5 years.
This year she terminated her stay early.
Thanks for your help.
Dogs aren't allowed here. Out! Out!
Out! Out with you.
Get lost!
Hello.
Who are you?
Me? I'm Moser, Crime Squad.
Who has access to the drugs apart from you?
Nobody. Under any circumstances.
- Are you absolutely sure? - Yes.
Could you check if something's missing?
Nothing's missing.
What about this?
- Well? - He didn't move an inch.
Where do I find the night porter?
I'm the day and night porter. My colleague's sick.
I see.
Does the name Konrad ring a bell? Elvira Konrad?
Where's Liz?
No idea.
Look, I think she's changed.
She does know something.
What are you doing here?
From now on this is my office.
And who allowed that?
Allowed? I did.
I'm afraid we'll have to discuss it.
Mick won't agree.
Nor will l.
Look, I couldn't care less.
How far is it from Altenberg to Vienna?
About one and a half hours?
You left the resort that night and drove back to Vienna.
You came in through the back entrance.
You waited until Stefan went downstairs
and put digitalis in his glass.
Then you drove back to the resort.
You thought you were so clever
and everyone would dance to your tune again.
Pity...
You weren't clever enough.
The wine list.
Waiter...
I don't need it. I know which wine I want.
Please get me a bottle
of Chateau Petrus, 1 989 vintage.
Are you sure it's on the list?
No, it's not on the list, but you have it.
- I'll have to ask. - Please do.
What is it?
- She seems determined. - ***!
What shall we do?
- Somehow we could... - What?
Mrs Konrad...
Yes?
- What is it, Paul? - Can I talk to you?
- Who's the man? - I've never seen him before.
- He asked for Petrus? - Yes, he knows we stock it.
Strange...
- Where is he? - Table 4.
Good evening.
Elvira Konrad, I'm in charge.
Delighted. I'm Max Koch.
May I ask how you know we stock that wine?
I think I read in some wine journal
that you bought some bottles of 1 989 Petrus at an auction.
I see.
You're the first guest to try it.
Thanks. I appreciate it.
Been here before, Mr Koch?
No. A friend of mine is a connoisseur.
He highly recommended you.
Look!
- The label is upside down. - I'm sorry.
The French are careless. Even with their best wines.
Don't get upset.
- It's the second bottle. - Who cares?
As you said, the French are careless. So what?
I'll be off. Enjoy the wine.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
Mick!
A guest ordered Petrus, it's not on the wine list.
- Was something in the paper? - Not as far as I know.
The whole thing is weird.
We'd better do something.
Liz!
- What's going on here? - Nothing unusual.
I'm the manager now. And you can't do much about it.
You like that, don't you?
Yes, I like it very much.
We'll talk later at home.
I'd like to eat at a posh restaurant too.
People like us only go there to solve murders.
- There you are. - Very generous.
Well? Are you hungry too?
Come on. Your diet's finished.
Yes?
- Hello, gentlemen. - Ah, Max. Report.
I've had an excellent meal.
Truffle carpaccio,
followed by venison steak, nougat parfait... Delicious.
How interesting.
The bill came to 6300 schillings.
I wish you all the best when you try to get reimbursed.
Never!
Now the sad news. I've found out nothing.
Come on, Max! You ordered the wine.
I did. Nothing exciting. Except for the price.
And the label was glued on the wrong way round.
- The boss said she was sorry... - What exactly?
She said it was the second time the label had been upside down.
See this?
Look at it! Another label glued on upside down.
Precisely.
This is the bottle Gruber drank on his last night.
Forensics took it right away.
She can't possibly have seen this bottle.
She said she was in Altenberg at the time.
Bingo!
I'm sure Liz won't cause us any more trouble.
I'm not happy about it.
No point discussing it. We had no choice.
We'll continue as before.
Yes.
Don't lose your nerve, Mum.
Everything will be fine.
The lnspector! Go and hide.
Where?
Take the back door to the Schönberg cellars.
They don't work on Saturdays. I'll meet you at the delivery exit.
Where's your mother, Mr Konrad?
No idea. I'm expecting her any minute.
You'd better tell us. We have a warrant for her.
Böck...
Come on, Rex. Search!
Mr Konrad...
Don't lose your nerve.
***! Damn it!
Rex! Where are you?
I wouldn't do that.
Come here, Rex.
Over here, please.
I was just on my way to see you.
Because my mother-in-law killed Stefan?
Exactly.
Because you didn't tell us, we need to talk�