A PRIVATE AFFAIR
Bravo!
Today I'm filled with great joy,
to be able to present this Civil Merit Medal
to Mr. Héctor Hugo.
Not only a brave and distinguished citizen,
but also a member of the Quiroga family.
Thanks to him we've been able to hunt down a murderer.
I'm sure that the 30 years he worked for my father
taught him that the common good is above anything else.
Congratulations, Héctor. Thanks to you, the city rests in peace.
Thank you.
I am overwhelmed.
Thank you.
Without a doubt, your father, Mr. Alfonso Quiroga,
was an example to me,
as a policeman and above all as a person.
And I'm sure that if he were here today,
he would be very proud,
not only of me, but of...
of Miss Marina.
Miss Marina Quiroga is the bravest woman I have ever met.
And if I have received this medal today,
it's thanks to her.
Without you, none of this would have been possible.
This medal is also yours.
Bravo!
Yes, we all know Marina, and know she likes to stick her nose in everything.
You're lucky, Héctor.
She didn't find my ceremony quite so interesting.
I hope you can get the family photo that I didn't.
And now, gentlemen,
thank you for your beautiful speech, Héctor.
Thank you for being as beautiful as ever, Marina.
-Ramón? Where is Ramón? -Here.
Don't let her escape to go shopping again.
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
let's toast at last, because we're back to being a safe city.
-Cheers. -Cheers.
He's so mean.
Don't let him see you're annoyed.
-He humiliated me in front of everyone. -He tried.
One of these days, I'll go out there,
and tell everyone a few things about him.
Well, please make sure I'm present on that day to applaud you.
Thank you.
I'm so proud of my best friend.
May I?
Excuse me, Commissioner.
Where is it?
-We were just notified. -Tell me the details.
Stay here. I'll see what's up.
Who was watching Cándido Expósito?
-I think it was at the guard change. -Think?
The prisoner in the next cell saw something.
-Has he been questioned? -We were waiting for you.
I'll do it myself.
You two stay. Don't say anything.
The party must go on. Cabanillas, come on.
Do you need anything, miss?
How elegant you look today, Detective.
It's not every day that a civilian
is honored for the arrest of a serial killer.
That's true.
They don't let us do anything. Civilians, I mean.
Right.
I'd like to know why my brother left in such a hurry.
I guess you can't tell me.
Well, to be honest, we're not on duty today,
but if you want,
we could ask you to dance, Miss Quiroga.
I like your nerve, Detective. But you're not my type.
Marina!
I'm coming!
I should inform my mother of my brother's absence.
Right. He's in the bathroom, isn't he?
Very well. You owe me, and I want to know more.
What made him leave in such a hurry?
Marina, what are you doing?
I'm coming, Mother!
Marina!
Before I go, I want a headline.
Marina!
Turn.
Sorry, I stepped on your foot again.
Thanks.
-Bye. -Ramón.
Doña Asunción.
He's destroyed my foot, that bastard.
I have to tell you something, but not here.
Meet me downstairs.
Who, me?
Lourditas, do you know where Héctor is?
He's over there.
Everyone is congratulating him.
If my mother asks, tell her I needed fresh air.
No! Actually, don't tell her anything.
Hello?
Castaño!
Hello?
Hello!
Do you want to scare me to death?
Sorry, but it's better not to be seen together.
Right. I know your reputation.
And Detective Zarco...
Don't let him find out.
I see you work as a team.
I really dislike these social events.
Too many men looking for a pat on the back.
It's worse at the police station.
We don't have champagne or canapés there.
So?
It's a pity that Arturo didn't accept my proposal to give you the medal.
You did that?
Even a blind man could see you deserve it.
Right. Too bad I'm a woman, isn't it?
Well, no.
That's exactly what makes you most fascinating.
And your intelligence and your courage.
What do you want from me?
I'd like to get to the point.
All I want from you is to know why my brother left so quickly.
What a pity.
Cándido Expósito was found hanged in his cell.
What?
-He committed suicide? -No, I didn't say that.
We have a witness who saw someone enter before it happened.
So he's been killed?
Only if we work together, will we find the killer.
I'll shove her camera down her throat!
No, don't go! I need to know more.
We need to go somewhere more private.
-Where? -My house, at 10:00 p.m.
Nice try.
I assure you I'm not trying to seduce you.
But what I have to tell you, no one else can hear.
Give me a clue.
-Ángela, the Volcano, the... -I know who she is.
Ten hours after Cándido was arrested,
the body of a woman was found on a beach in Finisterre.
Her throat was cut and she had a fleur-de-lis engraved on her chest.
At my house, 10:00 p.m.
Follow the rhythm.
Yes. I'm trying, ma'am.
Come on, like this.
Come on, look, that's it.
Follow the rhythm.
-I'm trying. -Come on. Like this.
-Hold my hand. -Yes.
We're dancing.
Darling.
Carry on, Héctor.
Look. Listen, come closer, I won't bite.
Man! Come on!
It's just that... I need to go out for a moment.
-For God's sake! -I must go out. Forgive me.
Where are you going? Stay here with me.
NAUTICAL CLUB
Might I know where we're going?
You'll see soon.
I'm meeting Castaño at his house. He's giving me new clues.
First I need to know he's not lying to me.
The curve!
But that man is a womanizer. And a danger.
You can't go to his house.
This is not a social visit. It's about the fleur-de-lis killer.
But the case is already solved. My medal, remember?
My brother was hasty in giving you that medal.
Cándido killed himself.
The curve!
What do you mean, killed himself?
And Ángela was found on a beach,
with her throat slit, and the fleur-de-lis on her chest.
But that's impossible. We caught the killer.
I was getting to that.
Either Cándido isn't the only man behind this,
or Ángela is not the dead woman.
Stop!
We're going to go find out.
I'm going to be sick.
Drive slowly.
Hello.
Marina?
You shouldn't be here.
If we got 20 pesetas every time we heard that,
we'd be millionaires.
-Is this the girl? -What do you know about that?
Marina, this is not a joke.
-You have to leave. -Ricardo,
my father never kept secrets.
I was with him all the time. I'd stay waiting for him.
-Why is it different now? -He was a commissioner.
It's her.
Can I come in?
Marina...
The first failed case is always etched on the heart.
Your father used to say that.
We've done everything we could do.
No.
Not everything.
We have to go to Castaño's house.
The killer is still at large.
Cándido killed her before seeing us at the port.
No, he didn't have time.
The body was found in Finisterre.
I think Cándido was a hired killer.
-What do you mean? -That he was hired to distract us all.
The real killer must have been cornered by the police,
and looked for a hitman.
-A hitman to... -No.
We're not going to Castaño's house.
What?
We have to use our heads.
Before we go into the lion's den, we have to reanalyze all the pieces.
Is this about your medal?
What?
You've satisfied your ego. Now you don't care.
How can you say that?
You're being very unfair.
Héctor, there's a woman who is still alive.
I'm not going to stop.
If you don't mind, I'm going to change.
Excuse me.
Hello?
Excuse me.
This is private property.
I have an appointment with the detective.
Miss Quiroga.
Yes.
Follow me.
-I love punctuality. -I love getting to the point.
I wasn't expecting dinner.
For me, business isn't at odds with pleasure.
And I usually have dinner at this time.
Would you like to join me?
I didn't know you lived in a palace.
Thank you, but it's not mine. It's my wife's.
-You're married? -No, widowed.
-I'm sorry. -I'm not.
The marriage was a failure from the start.
Let's drink to that, shall we? Thank you, Simón.
I guess you've figured out what I told you about Cándido is true.
What's your theory?
My theory is that Cándido worked for someone,
and that person has decided to kill him for fear of being identified.
Someone with access to the police station and cells.
Exactly.
Probably a policeman.
Probably, yes.
And this invitation is for?
For me to tell you my plans.
I'm going to throw a party at home, a special one.
Like the ones they had at the House of Water.
What for?
It'll be the return of the only prostitute who escaped from the killer.
-Margó? -Margó, yes.
Do you know her?
Yes, I know her, but don't know where to find her.
That's why I need you.
An exceptional woman to catch an exceptional killer.
You don't need me for my detective skills, but to impersonate her.
Smart girl.
-It doesn't make sense. -You have the same complexion.
She is slim, has a firm bust...
Watch what you say.
I told you, for me, business is not at odds with pleasure.
We would only have to get you a wig,
one of her dresses and her bird-of-paradise mask,
the one she wore at the big parties.
What does my brother think?
Your brother doesn't know and won't know about this.
He has too much of an ego to admit he's made a mistake
by decorating a citizen when he hasn't solved half of the case.
Why did they wear masks at the parties?
To preserve the privacy of the guests.
They only took them off at special moments.
The thing is, you're a cop and a regular at the House of Water.
Maybe Margó escaped you and now you want to disguise me as her,
and, in your sick mind, finish the plan.
I admit that it would be a good idea...
if I were the killer, of course.
You seem scared.
Men never scared me.
God. I feel dizzy.
What did you do to me? Did you drug me?
Let me go.
-Héctor! -Let's go.
Héctor!
This way.
Wait for me.
Héctor.
Do you think it's this way?
All these mansions have a back door.
Virgin Marys.
They're Virgin Marys!
An ultra-Catholic policeman who wants to put an end to the sins of the flesh.
-That explains the fleur-de-lis. -Yes.
He purified his victims before killing them.
Looking for anything in particular?
Yes, the exit.
But, behold, we've found your moral standards.
It's a pity you didn't know about my resistance to opiates.
What was it? That lipstick, wasn't it?
I don't know. Maybe a miracle from Our Lady of Carmel.
If we don't work together, we won't find the killer.
Don't listen to him, he's lying.
No, I'm not lying. What I want is to put an end to all this.
And to stop them from killing women.
He wants me to pose as Margó to lure the killer.
-What? -Only if she pretends to be Margó
will we get his attention.
But it would put her in danger.
That's what you and I are here for. To protect her.
I'm offering her the opportunity to act as an undercover cop.
It's every good cop's dream.
No.
Think about it.
It's a deal.
But I want to know all the details of the plan,
and have more men protecting me.
Look.
What?
Good morning!
You're shameless, dear.
What? I only said good morning.
Look how upsetting this is.
"Has Marina Quiroga found love?"
I mean, excuse me?
Please! We were just talking.
Talking? Not even Aunt Edelmira, who is deaf as a post,
gets so close to a man to hear what he's saying.
-And your brother is a public figure. -Wow!
Now we know whom to thank for having this trash in the house.
Your mother had the right to know.
Look, Mother. This journalist is a sensationalist.
Castaño and I were talking about confidential matters,
so we weren't going to be shouting.
And now, if I may, I'm going shopping.
-I can do that, right, Mother? -Yes, dear.
Are you still mad?
I was stupid. I don't know how I could've said such nonsense.
I'm very sorry, Héctor.
I admit that I would've liked to share the medal.
It's also true that, if it hadn't been for me,
the killer would've gotten away with it.
That little bit of arrogance suits you very well.
At last, you're smiling.
I won't let you talk to me like that again.
Don't worry, it won't happen again. The next medal's mine.
You are impossible.
There it is.
Just a moment, I'm coming. I'm coming.
You're still as beautiful as ever.
Héctor.
Milagros.
You forgot all about me, you fiend.
Let's see the inside of that coat.
Some things never change.
This man is full of surprises.
I know.
Miss Marina Quiroga, the daughter of...
Of Alfonso Quiroga himself.
Did you know my father?
If it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't be alive.
Let's just say that there are people who don't accept someone who's different.
We have a party tonight for which we need to transform ourselves.
I see.
Then you're in the right place.
Come this way, Marina.
I only show this to real friends.
Thank you.
This is just what we were looking for!
There are similar ones in other colors,
but I have this one here in memory of someone very special.
And for you, Héctor?
-What? -Maybe something like this. Look.
Excuse me, could I make a phone call?
I need to talk to Pablo.
Very well.
-A telephone? -In the back.
Thank you.
-Héctor, look. -Yes, something that works with this.
With this?
We can't trust this prisoner.
He meant something when he said that the devil strangled him.
I think the prisoner knows what he's saying.
-You know what you're doing? -What?
Everyone's talking about Marina.
I don't like to talk about a lady if she's not here.
You know I'm a gentleman.
I'm not, so you'd better be careful.
If I have to take extreme measures, I will.
Even if it affects your career.
-Are you threatening me? -No.
I'm politely advising you to stay away from Marina.
Cabanillas, to the lab.
Zarco. Hello.
Detective Zarco speaking. How can I help?
Pablo, it's Marina.
-Miss Quiroga. -I have a favor to ask.
Check your records to see if there's anything on Castaño.
Wow.
We're meeting tonight.
-For what? -Pablo, please focus.
I need to know if his career is as spotless as he claims.
Very well.
And if I find something?
Then come to his house at 10:00 in a suit and mask.
There'll be a party like the ones at the House of Water.
What? Have you gone crazy?
I have to go, Pablo.
No, Marina! Marina, listen...
HAS MARINA QUIROGA FOUND LOVE?
Deep down, my mother would love him.
Rich and pious, what more to ask for?
And seductive and dark. He's Count Dracula.
-I'm serious, miss. -So am I.
If he bit my neck, I'd be immortal and I'd find the killer for sure.
Look how elegant!
I'll get the masks.
Everything okay?
Didn't they teach you how to knock?
Could you stop complaining and give me your hand?
I see you're not ready yet.
I can't fasten my bustier.
I can't breathe.
These women deserve a lot of credit.
Breathe in.
-No, I can't. -Relax, Miss Quiroga.
You're ready.
What did you find out?
A witness is claiming that he saw someone enter the cell...
And?
And he says that it was the Devil himself who strangled him.
Are you suggesting that perhaps our killer has horns and a tail?
No.
What I'm saying is that whoever did this has to be a real monster.
Ready?
I'll be waiting on the stairs.
Are you okay?
What? Yeah.
Can I have the dress?
Don't do this if you don't feel safe.
Dad would never have given up at this point.
Miss, you have nothing to prove.
But I want to.
Remember the plan?
I'm ready.
Relax.
Look at the men with the clown masks. They're mine.
They all wear the same mask.
Don't talk to people so they won't recognize you.
Don't worry, we are here to protect you.
Good luck.
It was the Devil himself who strangled him.
Héctor, the killer was wearing a demon mask when he attacked Cándido.
-What? -The madman was right.
Watch for all men wearing a demon mask.
-It could be him. -Of course.
-You almost bit my finger off! -Mr. Pablo, what are you doing here?
Cover your face.
Act normal.
-Where's Marina? -Marina is dressed as Margó,
the woman in the painting, to hunt down the murderer.
What? This is crazy.
Castaño was investigated for the death of his wife.
My God!
We have to find Marina now.
He could be the murderer.
Let's go!
That's the signal.
The auction. The auction for Margó!
Excuse me. Sorry.
This way.
My dear friends,
many of us have mourned the loss of the House of Water,
and the loss of its beautiful women.
Let this evening serve as a tribute to these women,
who've met such a terrible end.
Let us celebrate that we can still enjoy...
the beautiful Margó.
Tonight,
Margó bids farewell forever to these Water nights.
We have to get her out.
Margó,
you may leave.
Trust me. Don't worry.
-Miss. Hey! -Jerome.
The auction begins.
We'll start with an offer of 10,000 pesetas...
-Let's go. -...for Margó's last night.
The most sought-after woman of the moment!
10,000!
18,000? 19,000?
21,000 pesetas!
For the last night with Margó. Do I hear 23,000?
24,000? 26,000 pesetas? The gentleman at the back, very well.
27,000!
28,000 for Margó's unforgettable last night.
29,000 pesetas to the gentleman!
-Me! -30,000 pesetas!
Quickly!
Here! Look!
It's one of Castaño's men.
Miss!
Marina.
A PRIVATE AFFAIR EPISODE 4: MASQUERADE BALL