1
THESIS ON A HOMICIDE
Go.
Left.
There you go.
Always with your left.
You're a bit soft today.
One, two.
Aim at the body, Bermudez.
Well done.
He drove me nuts
about that electric guitar.
After only three lessons,
now he wants the drums.
That's called abuse of right.
No, that's being a jerk
for buying him everything he asks.
Are you coming tomorrow?
What time is it?
Early. At 8:00.
Are you giving me one
or do I have to buy it?
What for?
You're not reading it anyway.
But I might need it.
How many pages long is it?
My nightstand is a bit wobbly.
I thought so the other day
as your wife was putting
her clothes back on,
but then it just slipped my mind
and I forgot to mention it.
It's the same every year.
All Cardozo cares about is
for the syllabus to be covered.
Meanwhile, kids download
everything from the internet.
Ask them what a legal act is,
they have no fucking idea.
How's it going?
- You know why I'm still here?
- Because of the chicks.
Besides that.
Because
I'm an idiot who still believes
we should leave
a better world for our children.
Let me set you straight
because I think you're a bit off.
When you're 30,
you work to get a position.
When you're 40,
you work to make money.
And when you're 50
you work for prestige.
You did everything wrong then.
It's just that I have
a complicated metabolism.
Uriarte?
Here.
- Villazan?
- Present.
Weinstein?
That's me.
- Yolis?
- Here.
Good.
I'd like to welcome you
and clarify a few things.
There are
several reasons to be here,
but there's only one that's right.
If you come here to make contacts,
you're in the wrong place.
Chronic students need therapy,
not a postgraduate course.
I can't stand those
who question everything,
but those who don't question anything
do not have a future as lawyers.
It's eight classes,
eight weeks,
2,500 pages
of compulsory reading,
and over 3,000 pages
of supplementary reading.
By the eighth class
each of you will write a thesis
on a topic you will decide
throughout the seminar.
I'm sorry.
Excuse me.
- Ruiz.
- Yes.
Is everything all right?
I've had a couple of eventualities.
What's paradoxical
about eventualities, Ruiz,
is that they can be avoided.
You just have to make
room for them in your plan.
Well, I knew that
eventually you'd be mad
but I still couldn't avoid it.
Next time just
leave your house earlier.
Take a seat.
Where were we?
You were saying there's only
one right reason to be here,
but you didn't say which.
To take advantage of me.
Professor!
Do you have a minute?
Sure.
I hope you didn't get
a wrong impression of me.
I just arrived in Buenos Aires
and I'm still settling in.
No, thanks.
How's your dad?
He's fine, thanks.
He asked me to say hi
and he sends you this.
- You're not opening it?
- I'm terrible at pretending.
If I don't like it,
you'll be able to tell.
I'd rather open it at home.
I wanted to thank you for making
room for me at the seminar.
It means a lotto me.
It was nothing.
And I'd like to invite you
to dinner one of these days.
We'll see.
I have the car with me.
Can I give you a lift?
It's not necessary.
Don't bother.
- I wouldn't mind at all.
- Watch out.
Besides,
you could guide me.
I don't know the city that well.
Okay, sure.
How's your mother?
I hardly ever see her,
she travels a lot.
She also says hi.
Is she still
running the Foundation?
That and anything that will
keep her away from my father.
Believe it or not,
sometimes that's the only way
to keep a relationship alive.
How are you, Cecilia?
I'm fine, and you?
Same as yesterday.
I see the books arrived.
Right.
What's this?
A gift.
Ruiz Cordera sends it.
Felipe, remember him?
Yes, of course.
Is he here?
No, his son.
He came to attend my seminar.
He asked me
if I knew anyone who could
clean his place
once or twice a week.
I gave him
your phone number.
Okay, thank you.
It's a nice gift.
Yeah, great.
A sword of justice for a lawyer.
It's like giving
the undertaker a toy coffin.
If you say so.
My white shirt?
It's hung.
Shall I iron it?
Please.
Professor!
Sol.
Right.
It's been so long.
- How are you?
- Great.
I heard about the presentation
and here I am.
- I'm glad.
- But I was a bit late.
Not at all.
You didn't miss anything.
They're only
now serving the wine.
Can you sign my book?
Don't want to exchange it
for a Harry Potter book?
I have them all.
It's been so long!
What have you been up to?
I've been working
at Carballo's office.
- Really? Good for you.
- For two years now.
- What else?
- Well...
Did you get married,
do you have kids?
No, far from it.
Actually, I broke up
with my boyfriend not long ago.
- Congratulations.
- Do you mind?
Actually, I do.
I'll go say hi to some friends.
Catch you later?
Okay.
Great presentation.
Thanks.
It relates
to what you were saying earlier:
a judge doesn't deliver justice,
he enforces the law.
The biggest scam
in modern societies
is making us believe
that what's legal is fair.
The problem is that
the laws and the concept of justice
are established
by a group of people
who are only interested
in holding their power.
My point is...
I can crush a butterfly
and wring it to death,
and that's not illegal.
Now, if the butterfly belongs
to some billionaire's collection,
I can go to jail.
It's not the act itself
what's judged.
The law does not protect us
from an aberrant act.
It only intervenes if that aberrant act
threatens the will of the powerful.
No, thanks.
We live in anarchy
and nobody seems to realize.
Every day somebody
wrings a butterfly to death
and no law can prevent it.
Interesting theory.
It's more than a theory.
Look, I have at least twenty arguments
to prove you wrong, but I'd like
- to give you some advice, may I?
- Of course.
You're twenty...
- Eight.
- Twenty-eight years old.
Try to get laid
as much as you can.
The rest comes on its own.
Do you know what time it is?
Around three or so.
It's half past three.
We talk some other time.
A judge
never has direct access
to the circumstances of a crime.
Before him,
there are eyewitnesses,
onlookers,
the security guard in the corner,
paramedics...
Even the typist...
I'm not exaggerating.
Sheet number 574
in the Lopez Paunero case.
It's in your handout.
"It can be inferred
from the first test
"that the phone found
only a few feet from the body
does not belong to the victim."
It took more than four years for them
to realize that instead of "phone",
it should have been "bone".
The judge who has to decide
if a defendant is guilty or innocent
does so groping in the dark.
Under those circumstances,
what's the judge's only valid tool?
The facts.
No, proving
the certainty of facts
is the goal of the judge,
not his tool.
The repetition of testimonies.
That's not it either.
If that was the case then a lawyer
would only have to get or buy
twenty witnesses to say
the same thing and case solved.
Details.
It's all in the details.
A judge undertakes
a slow discrimination
of what's contingent
and what's essential,
and it's the details
that tip the balance.
Sheet number 761...
"The defendant
testifies to visiting the building
"on Charcas 3956,
"but he's unable
to be specific about the time.
"He becomes
knowledgeable of the circumstances
and gives
his testimony to the Police."
There's someone
lying in the parking lot.
What?
There's a girl lying there.
Is she dead?
It looks like it.
What do you reckon happened?
Don't let any
of these assholes get through.
Did you talk to the night guard?
Talk to him.
Step back, please.
How's that going?
Superintendent?
Let him through.
Deputy superintendent still.
We know justice is slow.
Yeah. Since when
do lawyers arrive before the doctor?
I have a ringside seat.
Of course.
- What happened?
- What didn't happen.
She was beaten up,
raped, cut and then murdered.
The works.
You knew her?
Death to women like her.
DEATH
TO WOMEN LIKE HER
"Brutal murder in law school"
Full name?
Maria Laura di Natale.
Address?
Independence Avenue 611,
8th floor, apartment 30.
Phone number?
154...
Wait here, please.
Some water?
Thanks.
You don't have
to do this now, you know?
You can go home if you want.
I'd rather get it
over and done with now.
Do you work here?
No, I'm a lawyer.
But I don't practice.
Don't worry about it.
The deputy superintendent
will see you now.
Thanks.
You'll be fine.
I don't think so,
but thank you anyway.
- Superintendent...
- Bermudez.
We went from never seeing each other
to seeing each other every day.
I'll end up thinking
you miss me, counselor.
There's some truth in that.
I see you redecorated.
There was a leak.
- Coffee?
- I'll give it a pass. May I?
I think I know
what you're here for.
I came to buy tickets
to the annual ball.
We don't host it anymore.
The guys
would rather go whoring.
No wonder.
Di Natale.
We hadn't had
anything like this in a long time.
Is the preliminary report ready?
Yes.
Death by suffocation.
She's got bruises
and cuts all over her body.
The murderer penetrated her
with a Tramontina knife
and injected her with formol.
So we can't tell the time of death.
The body
remains sort of preserved.
Who's in charge of the case?
Your friend.
- Hernandez?
- Yes.
Who would have thought?
Nobody
saw or heard anything.
It was late in the evening.
Everybody's in class at that time.
- Or in between classes.
- Maybe.
No fingerprints.
The guy used latex gloves.
We found one.
She was choked.
Right.
Using hands?
No, with a scarf
or something like that.
Who performed the autopsy?
Robles.
Soft asymmetrical ligature mark,
consistent with application
of pressure with a soft material.
Slight ecchymosis.
Nothing else?
What else do you want?
- Can I see her?
- No.
It's not like I owe you
that many favors.
I'll owe you one now.
Di Natale.
The girl was wearing
a thin chain around her neck.
Shouldn't there be marks?
There could be,
but it would depend on the pressure,
the angle, the material of the chain...
I'm no doctor, Robles,
but it's just a matter of logic.
If someone squeezed
her neck on a thin chain,
she should have
some sort of mark.
It might have disappeared
by the time of the autopsy.
Or maybe the murderer
put the thin chain after killing her.
That's why there's no mark.
It's a possibility, right?
It is.
Nice gesture.
He kills her
and then gives her a necklace.
What's the matter?
Did you know her?
No.
I don't think so.
I can crush a butterfly
and wring it to death,
and that's not illegal.
Now, if the butterfly belongs
to some billionaire's collection,
I can go to jail.
It's not the act itself
what's judged.
An act,
no matter which,
is a link in a chain
of causes and consequences.
It's not meaningful in itself,
rather it's part of a weave
that has to be revealed because...
Underline this:
there's never chance
in a criminal act.
I beg to differ, Professor.
Why not, Villazan?
It's a habit of yours by now.
That's a teleological vision
of the criminal act.
If we consider the facts
in isolation, without causal links,
we may infer that an act
can trigger infinite number of...
Yes?
Laura di Natale?
That was
in Purmamarca, Jujuy.
Last summer.
Did she have a boyfriend?
No. Well, she was on and off
with Claudio, a guy from work.
What's that Claudio like?
A jerk.
Well, I don't know.
He had a girlfriend.
It was stupid.
Vale could choose anybody.
Your sister had a charm
in the shape of a butterfly.
I don't think so.
Why?
Nothing.
Can I keep this one?
Sure.
I'll scan it
and then I'll bring it back.
It's okay.
There's no rush.
What did your sister do?
Vale?
She worked at the caf
across the street from the school.
Besides that.
She had taken up aerial dance.
She would go twice a week.
She was really happy about that.
She wanted to go to Mexico.
She was saving up.
I had done some research
on a couple of hostels for her.
You got along.
We did.
Vale was the best.
I don't understand
how anyone could do such a thing.
Look...
I need you to think carefully
and try to remember
anything that might be of importance.
A new friend,
a phone number, anything.
If you remember anything
that seems important to you,
call me, okay?
FIRST INSTANCE CRIMINAL COUR There's plenty of hypotheses,
but nothing concrete.
Sworn testimonies were taken,
her close circle was investigated.
There isn't much there.
She was from Junin.
Her parents still live there.
She lived here
with a younger sister.
We checked
e-mails, text messages, calls,
nothing of relevance.
She had a boyfriend of sorts.
We're investigating him.
Someone she worked with
at the caf.
But if you ask me,
I think she was picked at random.
Something was planned.
You don't load
a syringe with formol
and carry a Tramontina knife
with you just in case.
The murder may have been planned,
but the victim was circumstantial.
We could be dealing with a cult,
some ritual murder, a serial killer...
I don't know.
And you don't care much either.
Just as much as I care
about the other 186 cases
I'm in charge of.
What about you?
- Did you know her?
- I don't know.
She worked at the caf
across the street from the school.
I must have been there
a thousand times.
Maybe she waited on my table once
but I don't know.
Now it makes sense.
How's she doing?
Monica?
Fine.
A bit sleepy, though.
I'm sorry about the other day.
I didn't realize it was so late.
- Can I take a copy of the file?
- You know you can't.
- I could file an injunction.
- You're not part in the case.
On behalf
of the younger sister I could.
All of this for a girl
you don't even remember if you knew?
Alfredo...
She was killed
practically in front of my eyes.
I just want to know who did it.
I know you.
If you know something,
don't keep it to yourself.
Otherwise,
let justice run its course.
Right, justice.
I forgot about that part.
Okay.
Thanks.
Did you hear the rumor?
Which one?
You were right.
Cardozo will be kicked out.
The post is yours.
I didn't know anything.
I hope you don't forget
all those times I let you
punch the crap out of me
just to make you happy.
- Professor.
- Gonzalo.
How are you?
Fine.
Visiting the exhibition.
- You like Picasso?
- Not much to be honest.
I was just killing time.
I'm meeting someone at the cafe.
I'm an unconditional admirer.
He's my favorite artist.
Do you have a minute?
I'd like to show you something.
Sure.
This is Picasso's
most important painting.
The Guernica
is pure marketing spin.
It's for jerks who don't know
how to look at a painting
so they just repeat
what other jerks say.
I understand.
Don't be fooled by its size.
It's a small painting
but everything's there.
In the middle
we see Christ crucified...
barely recognizable.
To the right, Mitra,
Persian god
adopted by the Roman Empire
in the early years of Christianity,
and next to him what appears
to be an African ritual mask.
On this side of the painting
we find the elements of torture:
the nail in his hand,
the Centurion's spear,
the vinegar-soaked sponge
that was applied on the wounds
to multiply the pain...
At the bottom, the soldiers
play dice for Christ's clothes.
Can't you see?
See what?
Christ, Mitra, the bull,
all the sacrifices.
Innocent victims sacrificed
for the benefit of humanity.
Anyone could be the victim.
Man is a wolf to man,
and no law can change that.
Everything's in the details.
You just have to know where to look.
It's like what you said about crimes.
Interesting,
don't you think?
Very interesting.
And much cheaper
than the museum guide.
Doctor!
- Hi, how are you?
- How are you?
I thought you'd quit.
Only one every now and then.
Were you waiting for me?
No.
It was synchronicity.
Really?
Do you have a minute?
I could use your counseling.
Do you remember Ruiz?
Felipe?
Yes, of course.
His son
is taking a seminar with me.
Little Gonzalo?
Who would have thought?
What's he like?
Weird.
Really weird.
- Full of himself.
- Shy.
No, no.
I know the difference.
He's arrogant, conceited,
he's above everything.
He takes
after uncle Roberto, then.
Growing up,
you were his idol, remember?
Or were you his mother's?
I thought that charge
had prescribed.
It's been filed, that's all.
These?
What do you think...
for someone my age?
Perfect for your mental age.
Trendy, youthful...
What is it, Roberto?
You call me at three in the morning,
you turn up at my practice...
What if I told you
Gonzalo is a psychopath?
Why?
What's he done?
Did you hear
about that murder at school?
I think Gonzalo
had something to do with it.
Gonzalo?
Don't ask me why.
I don't know.
There are some clues,
details, that attitude of his...
I think he killed her.
What you're saying
is very serious.
I know that.
Did you tell Alfredo?
No. I don't have anything concrete,
but I know he did it.
And I know
he wants me to catch him.
It's like a game.
I know what you're thinking.
I didn't say anything.
The Latorre case
was completely different.
I know how he thinks,
I know what's on his mind.
I can't explain it,
but I know him.
I know he did it.
You could be wrong, right?
- Hello.
- Laura?
What are you doing here?
Well, someone
has to pay the rent.
How are you?
So so.
Do you want to talk about it?
Okay.
You just have to know
what to ask, how, and who.
I'm following the case.
I'll let you know
if there's any news.
I told my dad about you.
He says you must be one
of those ambulance chasers
trying to get a slice of the action.
That's the way
my old man talks.
And what did you say?
That you had a nice guy face.
Is that good or bad?
He was insufferable.
He didn't want me to leave.
My mom was crying.
It's only logical.
But to you Junin is okay
only for a couple of days.
Any longer than that,
it begins to smother you.
Does it show?
A little.
Are you married?
I try not to make
the same mistake twice in a row.
- Children?
- No.
And that's why you got divorced.
Aren't you quick
at figuring people out.
I'm sorry.
I tend to talk too much.
Don't worry.
There's some truth in that.
I wasn't a model husband.
When she wanted to have kids
I was too busy with my work.
And when I wanted,
she was busy with another man.
That sucks.
There's nothing
you can do about it.
- You have to get back.
- I'm coming.
Do you like Peruvian food?
If there's no other choice.
Call me if you want
and we'll go one of these days.
Okay.
Thanks.
For everything.
You've reached
Monica and Roberto's.
We're not in right now.
Please, leave a message.
How are you, Cecilia?
I'm fine, and you?
It's a long story.
- Can I ask you a favor?
- Sure.
With that meat in the fridge,
why don't you make some schnitzels?
The thing is I told the boy,
Ruiz's son, I'd go by today.
What time?
I said after midday,
when I leave here,
because he won't be in then.
If he's not in
then he won't notice.
Just a couple of hours.
Okay.
I'll make you
some schnitzels and some fritters.
Perfect.
You've reached
Monica and Roberto's.
We're not in right now.
Please, leave a message.
THE STRUCTURE OF JUSTICE
"From a lawyer to another"
Good evening.
65,50.
Anything else?
And these.
67 pesos.
It took me a while
to find this place.
You drink whisky, right?
- I don't usually.
- Get him a Blue Label.
Actually, I would have
loved to be a musician,
but I have no musical ear.
I guess the law
allows me some control.
It's a way
of putting the world in order,
even if it's only an illusion,
isn't it?
Things are just the way they are,
but they could
very well be different.
There's some logic.
Logics is a human invention.
And don't get me
started on morals.
But we need something,
something fixed, a law.
That's the key.
We need it,
but we don't have it.
That's why we end up
inventing values, norms, beliefs.
We all have a thesis
on what the world is or should be.
What's yours?
My thesis
is that there's no correct thesis.
No.
My thesis is that there's no way
to tell which is the real thesis.
I don't know.
I need to phrase it better.
Why me?
What did you come here for?
Excuse me?
You heard me.
Why come
to the bottom of the world
to attend a seminar
taught by a retired lawyer?
Well, I don't see it that way.
This is my country,
and you've been
a big influence in my life.
How long has it been,
ten, fifteen years,
since I last saw you?
Even more.
How could I influence you?
You were a kid.
Last time I saw you
I was 9 years old.
It was my birthday.
I still have the pictures.
Sometimes there's no need
to be present to influence someone.
My father told me more than once
that you're a brilliant man.
I think for years
you've been his nemesis,
that sort of imaginary enemy
you measure yourself against,
to better yourself.
I couldn't even begin
to compete with your dad.
Don't be modest.
I grew up
hearing stories about you.
I don't know
if I should tell you this.
When I was 15,
my father took me for a DNA test.
He had doubts.
We never picked up the results.
My father's my father.
What else do I need?
Speaking of thesis,
I started working
on my end-of-seminar paper.
I thought about a case in Portugal
that dates back a few years,
but now I'm thinking about using
the di Natale case as an example.
What do you think?
I don't know.
It's still an open case.
But you have
to admit it's a special case.
I'd never been so close
to a crime scene before.
It's a weird feeling.
I can't just let it go.
There are hundreds
of better cases you could use.
DEATH TO WOMEN LIKE HER
I started working
on my end-of-seminar paper.
I thought about a case in Portugal
that dates back a few years,
but now I'm thinking about using
the di Natale case as an example.
"Murder in Portugal"
"Young woman
murdered in Portugal"
"Maria da Silva, 25 years old"
"Woman found
on highway to Portimao beach"
"Young woman
found dead in Portimao beach"
"found murdered and raped"
"injected with formol"
The cases are far apart, true,
but the same
modus operandi is repeated,
a pattern
in the selection of the victims.
They look just like his mother.
I mean
the physical resemblance, yes.
You can't be serious.
Very serious.
Did you hear everything I told you?
The insinuations,
the provocations...
Unless you think
I made all this up.
I'm not saying that.
Some people
are capable of this and worse.
Open your eyes.
- What did you come here for?
- To get your opinion.
Medical or personal?
It doesn't matter which.
I hate it when you put yourself
on a different, detached level,
to analyze, to judge...
Get involved for once,
get to the bottom of things.
Take it seriously for once.
What do you want from me?
I brought you a case.
I want to know what you think.
It worries me
to see you like this.
Leave me alone.
I'm not the case, he is.
Fine.
Let's see.
Both murders have
a strong sexual component.
The victims
are young attractive women.
There's high level
of brutality on the bodies.
If I had to venture a profile
based on these characteristics,
I'd say the murderer
is the psychopathic type
with perverse personality traits.
Both murders could have been
committed by the same person.
Yes.
Or two people
with similar psychological profiles.
And you think it's a coincidence
that he was in both places
where the murders occurred?
You told me he lived
in Portugal for three years.
How many murders
occurred during that time?
Hundreds.
How many murders
are there in the world?
What's the matter with you?
You found
what you wanted to find.
You want
the world to fit your fancy,
you want everything to be
the way you think it should be.
Who knows why you're
convinced that the boy is guilty.
And you'll only see
whatever it is that confirms that.
We've known Gonzalo
since he was born.
No, no.
We met him when he was born,
which is not the same.
Fine.
You're a smart guy
and you might be right.
I can't refute any of this.
But if all of this is true,
you should let
justice investigate.
Talk to Alfredo.
There's nothing Alfredo can do.
It's a challenge.
This is between the kid and me.
What is it you're really after?
Seeing justice served
or proving you're right?
Just one more thing.
Could he kill again?
Anyone who enjoys doing something,
no matter how perverse it is,
will repeat it sooner or later.
Thank you.
Here you go.
Thanks.
Did you read all of them?
Sort of.
How's work?
Fine.
I took up aerial dance.
I did.
There's a Fuerza Bruta show
in a few weeks at The Factory'.
I don't know if you'd like to go.
Is it one of those shows
you have to stand the whole time,
be covered
with confetti and paste
and lifted up on a harness?
Something like that.
I think it might be
too much for my sciatic nerve.
I pass.
Suit yourself.
That's you.
Yes.
Look at you.
Do you want something to eat?
I could make
some pasta with cream sauce...
or without it.
No, thanks.
I already ate.
Any more news?
Not much.
They're doing DNA tests,
cross-referencing last month's calls,
stuff like that.
They'll never catch him, will they?
We have to wait.
I miss her so much.
I know.
I wish I'd shared
more time with her.
Don't think about that now.
I still can't believe it.
Sometimes I feel
like she's away on a trip
and she'll be back any minute.
I'll get you a glass of water.
No, thanks.
I should go.
What was it
you wanted to give me?
I'll be right back.
This was your sister's.
It was among her belongings.
They must have misplaced it.
It was Vale's?
Now it's yours.
Let me see it.
I thought you should have it.
Thank you.
- Easy.
- Are you okay?
I didn't know
you practiced boxing.
You know what it's like.
You need to know
how to put up a fight.
Are you here to train?
No.
I'm not good at sports.
Villazan told me
you were looking for me.
Yes.
Let me get changed.
Year '86,
Pineiro case.
Aggravated homicide.
Not very well referenced.
The victim
was a weapon fanatic.
He had a collection of over 200.
His wife found him in his study
with a shot in the head.
The lock hadn't been forced,
there were no signs of a struggle,
nothing was missing.
The murder weapon
was on the floor.
It was one from his collection
and it had his prints on it.
Angle of the shot
and distance pointed at a suicide.
You said "aggravated homicide".
You took away the suspense.
An important detail
turned up during the investigation.
The guy was left-handed
and the shot was triggered
with the right hand.
Rookie mistake.
That's what they thought.
- Professor...
- Hi.
Did they tell
you about tomorrow?
About what?
We'll go for drinks after class
to celebrate Carla's birthday.
The first round is on me.
Too many drunken lawyers.
That's not a good place to be.
You're coming, Spaniard, right?
Of course.
I like that.
See you.
Where were we?
The fake suicide.
Right.
There was thought of a hit man,
someone who didn't know the victim.
That sidetracked the attention
for a very long time.
Until the District Attorney thought,
what if it wasn't a mistake
and the person who killed him
knew he was left-handed,
and was only trying
to confuse the investigation?
Now it gets interesting.
Do you have time?
Sure.
The axis of the investigation
changed completely.
The murderer then had
to know the victim perfectly well,
enough to be let in his study,
pick a gun from the collection,
get close enough
and shoot him.
In a nutshell,
his son killed him.
He was sentenced to 20 years.
If he had used his left hand,
he would have
committed the perfect crime.
Shooting him
with the right hand wasn't bad.
No, it was good,
it was too good.
He went over the top.
He wanted the murder to be noticed,
he wanted to leave his trace.
That's the worst possible sin
a murderer can commit.
Arrogance.
I disagree.
I think lack of intelligence is.
They're usually the same thing.
If you're going to challenge
an investigator to a silent duel,
you can't
underestimate his capacity.
Never.
- Hi, how are you?
- Fine, and you?
I'm sorry.
Gonzalo...
- Hi.
- This is Laura.
Hi, how are you?
Very well, and you?
Fine.
Are you Spanish?
Argentinean,
with an accent.
Are you one
of Roberta's students?
Actually,
I think I'm his favorite.
Here's your menu.
Hello?
You were sleeping.
Roberto?
Yes.
Did I wake you?
No... Well, sort of.
What happened?
Nothing.
I just wanted to check on you.
I'm fine.
Are you alone?
Yes. Why?
I'm sorry.
It's a bit late.
I didn't realize.
We'll talk tomorrow, okay?
Is everything okay?
Yes.
I'll call you tomorrow.
Okay.
You can't smoke here.
I'm sorry.
Bye.
I'll call you.
Okay.
Bye.
Thank you for everything.
It's been a real pleasure.
There's no need
for such formality, Villazan.
- Thank you.
- Congratulations.
Thank you so much.
Master...
It's been a real pleasure.
Thank you.
- Good luck.
- Thank you.
Last chance, Prof.
Are you coming
to the party on Friday?
I don't think so.
- THESIS ON A HOMICIDE
- There was a lot to be said,
I decided to narrow it
down to the essentials.
I hope not to bore you.
I don't think so.
I'm very curious.
Do you know
when you'll mark it?
I'll be going back in a few days.
Really?
So soon?
I miss my home.
Besides,
my work here is done.
And I also wanted
to tell you I followed your advice.
What advice?
That thing you said about
getting laid as much as I could.
Hello?
Yes.
Come on up.
Hi.
Shall I come in?
Of course.
You look different.
You had your hair cut.
Yes, I changed it.
I didn't like it the way it was.
Was it his idea?
Whose?
Who told you to do it?
Nobody.
Maybe not straightforwardly,
but he manipulated you into doing it.
I don't understand.
I know you two
are seeing each other.
What, you're following me?
No, it's not like that.
I know
what happened to your sister.
It wasn't by chance
that she was murdered
outside the school
or on that specific day.
Absolutely
everything was planned.
Everything.
Every detail.
The formol, the note,
the charm she was wearing...
Everything.
I don't understand.
Valeria was an experiment,
some sort of thesis.
The murderer
wanted me to find him.
Who?
Gonzalo!
No, it can't be.
Gonzalo saw that your sister
parked her car outside the school.
He picked her,
he decided she'd be his victim.
It wasn't his first time.
I know it sounds crazy
but it's not, believe me.
He waited
until the day of the class
to have the perfect alibi
and also so I would be there.
That was the challenge.
He left me clues,
very subtle but very clear for me.
That's why
you gave me Vale's charm.
I need you to help me.
What are you doing?
Are you using me?
No, it's not me.
Gonzalo is a murderer.
He's toying with you and me,
he's toying with both of us.
I have a plan
and I see it's working.
I need you to do your part.
Why are you doing this to me?
Why would Gonzalo
kill my sister like a beast?
It doesn't matter why.
It matters to me.
You're telling me the guy
I slept with murdered my sister.
It doesn't make any sense.
It's crazy. It can't be.
Believe me.
I'm telling you because I'm sure.
He's a psychopath
son of a bitch.
He's a murderer.
And he's enjoying
this sick little game
of provoking me
and sleeping with you.
Think about it.
Think about it for a second.
Don't touch me.
Where's the restroom?
In my bedroom.
At the end of the hallway.
Easy.
- Are you feeling better?
- Yes. I have to go.
It's important
that you understand
that Gonzalo's very dangerous.
Don't ever see him again.
- I want to leave.
- Trust me.
Don't touch me
and let me go.
- What are you doing?
- Let me go!
- What's wrong?
- Let me out.
Are you afraid of me?
I just want to help you.
Put that down.
Do as I say.
Give it to me.
I talked to his father.
Monica told me about your theory.
Did you mention my name?
I had to.
He says his son is a genius.
A brilliant kid, he said.
All parents think that way.
How long has it been
since you last slept?
I sleep.
Little but I do sleep.
I've been asking around,
nothing official.
The kid has no records,
not even a note
for bad behavior at school.
I know.
He's a model student.
What do you have against him?
- This is personal.
- Why you ask?
I'm sure you already have
the doctor's diagnosis, don't you?
I don't care what issues you have
with him, his mother or whoever.
You know what
presumption of innocence is, right?
I think so.
I'm asking because last time...
This has nothing to do
with the Latorre case.
I was wrong then.
I'm not now.
In compliance with article 256
of the regulation of the law 4794...
We summoned him
to amplify his testimony, that's all.
Don't worry. I won't make you
do anything to jeopardize your post.
I'm not worried about mine,
I'm worried about yours.
The girl has already
filed a report against you.
...under penalty
of false statement
as prescribed in article 275
of the Criminal Code
and article 190 subsection 8
of the regulation of the law 4794.
Do you understand?
Perfectly well.
You have the right
to consult with a lawyer.
I am a lawyer.
Very well.
Full name?
Gonzalo Maria Ruiz Cordera.
- Nationality?
- Argentinean.
Mr. Cordera, you've been
summoned to give testimony
about the case
of the rape and murder
of Miss Valeria di Natale.
Were you a close friend
or acquaintance?
Did you have enmity,
hatred or resentment manifested
by facts known to both parties?
Do you have
any connection to the victim?
No, I didn't know her.
Do you give
your testimony freely?
Yes.
Very well.
Are you aware of the facts
of April 23rd of this year
that took the life
of Valeria di Natale?
Yes, of course.
I follow the story in the papers.
Besides, I was
at the school that night.
I don't remember the time exactly
but I spent a long while
in the reading room.
Did you see or hear anything
that could be linked to the murder?
I've been giving it
a lot of thought.
I wish I could help
with the investigation.
I understand
any detail could be important,
but I just don't remember
anything significant.
I'm sorry.
Unusual movements,
somebody who looked out of place...
Nothing.
Anyway, I don't think
it was an outsider.
Rather, I think it was someone
who wanted
to show off with the murder.
I don't understand.
I mean,
it must have been someone
familiar with the usual
movements of the school,
someone who'd
walked around the place before,
and even maybe
had contact with the victim.
That's why he went unnoticed.
Besides, he probably has
some knowledge of forensic medicine.
Take the detail of the formol.
I'm picturing a sadist,
somebody who might keep
a trophy of the murder in his house.
I don't know.
He was in my house.
The son of a bitch
was in my house.
THE STRUCTURE OF JUSTICE
"The law sets the limit,
the judiciary system
punishes whoever exceeds it,
but Justice remains aloof,
waiting for a new victim."
Hi, this is Laura.
Leave me a message.
What did you do to her?
What?
What happened?
What did you do to her,
son of a bitch?
Where's the sword, the knife?
- What are you talking about?
- I know you killed di Natale.
You fucking murderer!
Coffee?
He asked
about you several times.
I don't want to see him.
For what it's worth, he's not
the one who killed your sister.
You may come in.
Thanks.
How are you?
Did you check?
The girl's fine.
Nothing happened to her.
Did you check?
Maria da Silva,
murdered in Portugal in 2009.
The case was solved.
Antonio Barreto,
a dock worker,
was tried and convicted.
I got this from Interpol.
He didn't do it.
We found that Farmacity
detailed purchase receipt for $67.
Do you want to know
what he bought?
Deodorant,
tooth paste, tissue,
two batteries
and a pack of condoms.
That's not the right receipt.
He must have thrown it away.
What about the bookmark
that turned up in my book?
He was in my place.
The coins?
He stole the keys from Cecilia.
You said it yourself
that you went to the museum.
You get the bookmark
with the entrance ticket.
Cecilia has her keys.
Nobody stole them from her.
And the coins...
Who knows?
It's typical of you.
He copied it from you.
And the sword,
the letter-opener?
I don't know.
We couldn't find it.
The kid didn't have it.
He did.
I saw it.
He had it in his hand.
Are you sure you saw it?
I don't know anymore.
Valeria was killed
by some random sick guy.
There's no conspiracy.
You don't understand.
You're a smart guy.
Try to see things differently.
Think for a second
that Gonzalo didn't do it.
The kid was in your class
when the murder happened.
He hooked up with the sister
because you introduced them.
He wrote a thesis on the case
because he wanted to impress you.
He admires you.
You can't see it.
You don't want to see it.
Gonzalo's
recovering at the hospital.
He said he won't press charges.
He's a son of a bitch.
I'll have to excuse myself
from the case for obvious reasons.
You still don't realize
how much you've lost over this.
The sword,
the letter opener.
I don't know.
We couldn't find it.
He had it.
I saw it.
THESIS ON A HOMICIDE