Kommissar Rex (Inspector Rex) (1994) s06e08 Episode Script

1 INSPECTOR REX THE FULL-MOON MURDERER He murdered the women near cemeteries, then laid them on wilted flowers and wreaths.
After that he cut their hair off.
As you know, both murders happened at full moon.
At nightfall we'll keep a watch on all 56 cemeteries in Vienna.
We'll place a patrol around each one and have plain-clothes police patrolling inside them.
Thanks.
I don't think he'll strike again tonight.
The papers reported our surveillance.
His urge might overcome his caution.
- Well? - Nothing.
I hate waiting around.
Let's go, Rex.
- Where's Rex? - No idea.
He's been gone a while.
He's on the roof.
Well? You're really taken with the full moon.
It's all right.
He always reacts at full moon but this roof number's new.
I'll go to Simmering, you take the main cemetery.
- Fritz go to Baumgartner.
- Right.
Let's go.
Another night on a cemetery and I'll need 3 weeks' holiday.
I'll make us a coffee.
Morning.
Morning.
Gee, you look well rested.
I showered.
I didn't sleep either.
We're lucky nothing happened.
No messages, so you can go home.
I'll stay.
Thanks.
Brandtner, Crime Squad.
Where? Thanks.
The cemeteries were watched so he changed to a tomb.
Alex calm down.
Hundreds of police were out.
We can't be everywhere.
Any information for us, Inspector? Sorry, not right now.
Can we get through? Tell the photographer to include shots of the audience.
Could the suspect be here? It has happened.
And tell someone to get all car regos.
Okay.
Hello, Rex.
- Hello, Leo.
- Hello, Alex.
What's going on? Looks like a funfair.
We can't block off the street.
Well, let's have a look.
It looks similar to the first two cases.
The press blew our cover so he moved here.
Smart cookie, your full-moon murderer.
Here we have a circular horizontal strangulation mark with a crossed point at the neck and a massive outflow of congested blood in the head.
There are no signs of a fight.
So he killed her elsewhere and brought her here.
From nearby, like in the other two cases.
Forensics is looking.
- Any idea when it happened? - Yes.
Livor mortis hasn't developed yet.
I'd say between midnight and 2 a.
m.
Alex the dead woman's ID.
She's Judith Geiger, from the 7th district.
The full-moon murderer has struck again.
Here, at the Ruprecht tomb outside Vienna a young woman's body has been found.
The woman is Judith G.
from Vienna Neubau.
As with the previous cases she was found strangled and with her hair cut off.
Despite two similar murders police were unable to prevent a third last night.
The police wouldn't give a statement lest it influence the investigation.
We'll report further details live as they come in.
She was an art student.
Parents divorced father living in the States.
He sent her money.
The neighbour knew nothing about the mother but said Judith kept to herself, and painted a lot.
Not bad.
- This could be her father.
- I don't think so.
He looks different.
Shit! We must inform him, too.
We won't find any clues here.
Well so far we've assumed he chose his victims at random.
We might find a link between the killer and his victim.
Let's hope.
I'm going to the Art Academy.
Come.
The full moon with its eerie grin has a tremendous effect on people.
Some are driven to despair, others freed from inhibitions.
Others become sexual offenders.
The full moon, a recurring theme in art history.
Less known is the fact that it increases the effects of alcohol.
So once a month you need less booze, Brigitte.
What a shame its effects on people lack scientific proof.
I relate more to art than to science.
Well - What can I do for you, Mr - Brandtner.
From Crime Squad.
I have some questions.
Crime Squad? Ask away.
Excuse us, please.
Judith Geiger, one of your students, was murdered last night.
What? How dreadful.
The moon Is it to do with these full-moon murders? Why? The papers said he might strike again.
In Judith Geiger's flat I found a picture signed by Sandra.
Is she a student here? Yes.
Sandra please come over here.
I just heard on the news that another woman was murdered.
The same circumstances as the other two cases.
You don't think that patient of yours had anything to do with it? Hard to say.
He definitely has problems with women.
He claims the full moon affects him.
That doesn't make him a murderer.
But you have thought about it? Of course.
And our talks were in that direction.
Imagine finding out that one of your patients is a murderer! Worried again about my career and your social standing? We'd better have breakfast.
Your surgery's waiting.
We believe she's another victim of Please sit down.
Of this murderer who strikes when the moon is full.
When did you last see her? Last night.
We went to the movies.
Then she went home.
She wanted to sketch.
Did she ever tell you she felt threatened or felt she was being watched? No, she'd have told me.
I saw quite a few paintings of Paul Mandi at her place.
Did they have a special relationship? Judith Judith was in love with him.
But he left her.
Do you know why? All the female students adore him, he had many affairs although he's married.
And his wife? His wife travels a lot and he makes the most of it.
I noticed earlier on that you're all working on pictures of the full moon.
It was his idea.
He chooses current themes.
A top professional.
And the human side? Fine, then.
Thank you.
Find the bastard that murdered Judith.
- Mr Schima is here, doctor.
- Thanks.
Mr Schima.
How was your night? I took the tablets you prescribed but they didn't work.
There was this restlessness in me again.
Go on.
I walked for hours.
Then I went into a pub and had a drink.
And then? When I woke up this morning I couldn't remember the rest.
I told you not to have alcohol when taking medication.
I heard on the news earlier that the full-moon murderer struck again.
A terrible story.
How can people do something like that? What do you think? I don't know.
Tell me about Judith.
As you'll know by now I had an affair with her.
A long time ago.
You don't seem upset.
After all, you were lovers.
How her death affected me is none of your business.
You're guilty of her death.
You haven't found the killer.
Because he plans very carefully.
Where were you between midnight and 2 a.
m.
? So you think I'm the full-moon murderer? Just answer my questions.
I was alone.
My wife was at the opera.
Then she went for a drink.
She was home by 1 a.
m.
Where were you the nights of August 28 and September 24? What? No idea.
- I'd have to look at my diary.
- Do that.
- Right now? - Yes.
An affair with the victim but no alibi I must go to the classroom and look in my briefcase.
Sandra Last night you were at my place till 1 a.
m.
In case they ask.
Okay? Don't worry, I haven't committed a crime.
Thanks.
"My love for you is so strong it can overcome all difficulties "The age difference doesn't worry me.
"Maybe I have a father complex as you say "You often promised to separate from your wife.
" So she had a relationship with an older man.
The letters were written recently.
She could have meant me.
- But it was all over.
- For you.
Maybe Judith didn't accept that.
Meaning? That she threatened to tell your wife.
My wife knows nothing.
That can change if I ring her and ask her here.
Mr Mandi, you still don't have an alibi.
Well then I was at Sandra's that night.
We went through her thesis.
I got home at 1 a.
m.
Don't you find it an odd time for a private lesson? Whatever she'll confirm it.
They've found the murder site.
Near the Ruprecht tomb.
Excuse me.
Thanks.
Hello.
The solitary tree down there.
The gawpers are a pain but with all these restaurants around He stopped his car by the pond.
We found tyre tracks.
Here we found the same footprints as the ones near the Ruprecht tomb.
Like with the other two cases.
Except then, he had to break locks to get into the cemetery.
These scissors were stuck into the tree, not deeply.
So he was in a hurry.
Okay.
Thanks.
Hello, I'm Brandtner from Crime Squad.
What's so fascinating about a murder scene? It's exciting and I'm not the only onlooker.
That's true.
- Got your ID with you? - Are you asking everyone? I might.
Thanks.
Kurt Schima What's your occupation? I'm a businessman.
You must come here and make a written statement.
Thanks.
Well Ms Klein confirmed your statement.
See? - Can I leave now? - Yes.
We've also checked your diary entries.
I told you I was abroad on those days.
Lucky you make detailed entries.
Professors always do.
Have a nice day.
And to you, Professor.
He accepted the head doctor accepted.
Isn't it great? Yes.
Are you listening? He can help you build a career you've never even dreamt of.
I think he accepted because he's a friend of my dad's.
Your father, the great doctor.
Do you want me to be like him? Darling, don't forget how much he's helped us.
Yes I've heard it often enough.
Who could it be at this hour? I'll answer it.
You? - What do you want? - I must talk to you, Doctor.
This is against the rules.
Come to my rooms to talk.
It's urgent.
I'm not feeling well.
I'm afraid of myself.
What if I hurt myself? You don't look as if you need urgent help.
I won't be blackmailed by you.
Excuse me.
He chose the Ruprecht tomb the third time because the cemeteries were watched.
The Vienna Woods have several tombs.
But he chose the one behind a compost heap.
And he also took a great risk.
The Ruprecht tomb is very close to the road.
He not only cuts off their hair, he also puts them on dried-up wreaths.
Hey I completely forgot.
Rex noticed a very nervy type at the crime scene.
His name was Kurt Schima.
I've read that name somewhere.
Wait.
In the list of car registrations.
- Right on top.
- Thanks.
Here it is.
Number plate, W510-NM.
Owner, Kurt Schima.
Hairdresser.
He was an onlooker at the scene yesterday.
In the morning? Are the photos ready? Yes, they are.
Let's see.
There he is.
We'll have to take a closer look.
- I can't go, he knows me.
- I'm happy with my haircut.
- I've no hair.
- You need a shave though.
Well then If I don't come back give my ham roll to Rex.
Awful.
I can well understand you're scared at full moon.
It's a scandal that the police can't find the killer.
Good day.
- What can I do for you? - A shave, please.
Take a seat.
I'll be with you shortly.
I don't think you've been here before, right? No, but I'll come more often.
I've moved round the corner.
- Which street? - Rotbauer Lane.
An elegant area.
Nice people, nice shops.
You'll like it here.
Right now people are scared of the full-moon murderer.
It's a terrible thing.
He must hate women.
But is that a reason to kill them? On the other hand, women can get on your nerves.
The gossip I endure from my clients For women, a hairdresser is like a psychologist.
Well if they were only young and beautiful like these.
But they never come here.
They go elsewhere.
All the victims were young and pretty.
He selected them very carefully.
He's very cunning.
The police haven't even a clue who he is.
I think he's a lunatic with an inferiority complex.
Are you well enough informed to form such an opinion? Couldn't he just be intelligent and successful? Excuse me, I must make a call.
Go ahead.
Hello, Alex.
It's me.
I'm at the hairdresser's in Strasshofer Street.
I'm here without my car.
Can you pick me up? - You think it's him? - Could well be.
I'll be ready soon.
Okay? Come on, Rex.
Any news? It seems Fritz is onto something.
- An aftershave lotion? - Yes, a fresh one.
You won't get far, Mr Schima.
We'll see.
Fritz Look over there.
Everything okay, Fritz? I'll get a doctor.
If you did nothing wrong why did you attack him and run off? I'm not saying anything.
I'm sick.
I get psychiatric treatment from Dr Clemens.
Ask him.
Are you serious? Trying to get out of it by pleading temporary insanity? We'll employ an independent expert.
He'll prove that you premeditated your crimes.
Maybe I was seen at a cemetery.
I've been to cemeteries before.
Can't I visit a grave? - Which one was it? - My auntie's.
- Which cemetery? - Gumpendorfer.
I believe you went to a few.
But only to check them out.
Here, a book with all the cemeteries in Vienna.
I know it.
It's a necrophiles' guide.
- Many men still use razors.
- Yes But not for cutting women's hair off as our expert said.
Look what I found.
A moon calendar.
We've something else.
You injured yourself cutting off the second victim's hair.
They found a tiny trail of blood that's not the victim's.
" And? " And? We had a DNA analysis done.
And we'll compare that one with yours.
I'm glad it's all over.
I'd like to Why why did you do it? Because I hated them.
Day in, day out, I had to listen to their twaddle.
- They humiliated me.
- Your victims? Not them.
They never came to my salon.
I'm a hairdresser in a suburb where old bags get rid of their frustration.
Your victims were young and pretty.
Was it because they were out of your reach? I paid them back in full.
I waited for the right moment.
They were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
And you committed the third murder at the Ruprecht tomb because the cemeteries were watched.
I wasn't at the Ruprecht tomb.
Mr Schima What's all this now? We were making good progress.
You must believe me.
I didn't commit that crime.
Yes, I went.
I couldn't believe someone was imitating me.
Fine.
And where were you at the time? I have a perfect alibi.
- I attacked a woman.
- You did what? I wanted to kill again but she escaped.
Where? In the Botanical Gardens.
- When? - At midnight.
Then I went to a pub.
I had a drink.
People know me.
They can verify it.
- Describe the woman.
- It was dark.
She was young, slender, with black hair.
That's all? This woman could exonerate you.
Had I caught her I could describe her better.
Take him away.
Smooth as a baby's bottom.
And? He confessed.
We could have saved Fritz the shave.
So you knew I'd be back, right? Rex, come.
If Schima was telling the truth the attack happened here.
Possibly.
There aren't many lights here.
Brandtner.
Hello, Fritz.
Okay.
Thanks.
Schima's details were correct.
The publican said he was there between midnight and one.
Maybe he killed her at 11.
30.
Could Leo be that wrong? And why would he come here and attack another woman? How can we find her? She didn't even report it.
- She could live close by.
- That's a big help.
Shit Well, there's nothing for it Okay, let's start.
What is it? No idea.
Where is he? There he is.
This could only happen to us.
We look for a woman and we find a dog.
He doesn't look like a stray.
Maybe he had run away and was hiding.
- He has a dog tag.
- So we'll find the owner.
Come on, rescuer.
Is this the one? Where were you? I looked for you everywhere.
Thanks.
He ran away two nights ago.
- Was he frightened? - Yes.
A man molested me.
I ran away and lost the dog.
I'm Brandtner, my colleague BÃck.
We're from Crime Squad.
I think you could help us.
- Was it him? - I'm not sure.
It was dark and he attacked me from behind.
I broke free and kept running.
I couldn't see his face clearly.
Well - That's it, then.
- Can I go now? Not quite.
Rex wants to give you something.
Thanks.
I'll give it to Fipsi.
If you remember anything else just ring me.
- Thanks.
- Bye.
How could he know she'd been attacked if he wasn't there? Exactly.
If he was in the pub, he didn't commit the third murder.
I also believe the Ruprecht tomb murderer was a different person.
- There's evidence.
- Such as? In the first two cases, the hair was cut off with a razor.
Here the hair was cut with scissors.
It all fits.
We found scissors at the scene.
Schima always took the razors with him.
The first two victims were strangled with a narrow cord.
- Miss Geiger with a wide one.
- So this was a copycat crime.
I can start all over again.
Thanks, Leo.
Bye.
Bye.
Alex, something else.
This girl was pregnant.
Sandra - You frightened me.
- I want to talk to you.
Anything confidential? After you gave the written statement, did the police contact you again? No.
I feel bad about the whole thing.
I gave a false statement because of you.
Don't worry.
Nobody will ever know.
I'm deeply endebted to you.
Where were you? I saw a friend whose wife had run away.
Will you stick to your statement if they ask again? Do I have a choice? You could fail me.
Sandra You're my favourite student.
Who committed the Ruprecht tomb murder? Full-moon murderer only confesses to two But why did you give a false statement about Mr Mandi? I thought he couldn't be involved in the murders.
The papers say it might be a copycat murderer.
And that Judith was pregnant.
You admit giving private tuition to Sandra Klein and making advances which she refused.
You quarrelled.
You left her at about 10 p.
m.
Then you went and visited a prostitute.
- That's right.
- That's right.
Attractive, about 50 Yes, he was here.
- What time? - I can't remember.
Hello, darling.
- How about you and me - No, I'm here on duty.
Pity.
I have one more question.
I must know the exact time.
It was after 11.
I don't start earlier if business is slow.
It was around 11.
30.
- When did he leave? - After an hour.
He needs foreplay and afterplay.
We call it the big program.
No details, thanks.
- Are you sure it was him? - A hundred percent.
He comes here often and wants to paint us.
BÃck, it's me.
It seems he was here at the time.
Right, anything else? Kunz You seem to be lucky with women.
The lady remembered you very well.
- Can I go now? - Yes.
Have a nice evening, Professor.
- What's up? - He has a cast-iron alibi.
- Will I be charged? - No, don't worry.
Can you think of anyone who could help us? No.
Her only friends were at school.
Her father was hardly ever there.
Dr Clemens, her psychiatrist, might know more.
- Dr Clemens? - Yes.
- And she started seeing him - After they split up.
She suffered from depression.
- Is he older and married? - Yes.
Judith told me a bit about him.
- It could be him.
- Wow! - Thanks, madam.
- Bye.
Goodbye.
Thanks for coming.
See you next time.
All they talked about was the full-moon murderer being your patient.
It's time you had some new, respectable clients.
Sorry, but it's not my fault.
This is no publicity for you.
I think you missed out on the best part.
What? Eva told me her husband started an affair with a female patient.
Because it's not allowed he's in professional trouble and she gets everything when they divorce.
Georg had a relationship with a patient? Yes, that little grey mouse Georg! But I think Eva is absolutely right.
I'd do the same if I were her.
They forgot something.
- What do you want so late? - Brandtner, Crime Squad.
- Is your husband in? - Yes.
- Mr Brandtner from Homicide.
- Thanks.
Sorry to come here at this hour.
It's your patient Mr Schima.
You know I'm bound to medical confidentiality.
I know but I'm sure you can help me.
Schima's confessed, but there's doubt about the third murder.
There is? - Please.
- Thanks.
In the first two cases he cut off the victims' hair with a razor which he hid at the crime scene.
But in Judith's case we were unable to find the razor.
And how can I help you? Would a man with his psychosis change his behaviour? I'm not a criminal psychologist.
Right.
I'm worrying too much.
We'll find the razor tomorrow.
Again my apologies but I'm sure you understand.
Thanks, goodbye.
Come, Rex.
Thanks.
Goodbye.
Mr Schima cut his victims' hair with a razor.
That wasn't in the papers.
In Judith's case scissors were used.
Now, Schima could well have changed his method.
But where the scissors were hidden only the killer would know.
Dr Clemens, your imitation didn't quite work out.
Well done.
Judith threatened to tell my wife everything.
She'd have quite callously ruined me.
I saw no other way out.
I'd have lost everything.
What have you gained by this? Are you hurt? ls everything okay? Come on.
Come along.
Move! Come here.