I fear your sister fell victim to a maniac who murders following a macabre ritual.
You know Dego as well as I do. I'm sure he's full of dubious plans.
I found a job at another hotel. -Belén.
I just heard you're pregnant. -Who told you?
I did.
'Arrest warrant for Julio Olmedo, wanted for murder.'
You idiot, sleeping with the two daughters of an officer.
I'll tell the whole world what you did
I'll say it was you.
'My ex-fiancé Javier has turned my life into a nightmare.
I'm afraid, Father. Javier threatened to kill me if I told anyone what happened.'
Grand Hotel
Father Laín? This is Sofía Alarcón. I know you appreciate our donations.
We want to do more for the children's home.
Father Laín sends you his regards. I'm very grateful to you.
I know nobody will hire you because you're pregnant and have no husband.
You'll give the baby to the home, right?
Yes, madam, what else can I do? -Nothing.
But this arrangement has two benefits for you.
You'll receive a salary, and you'll be able to leave the baby in good hands.
I'll take care of it as if it were my own. -You're very generous.
You'll do the same work as the others, as long as your condition permits it.
Then you and I will make a trip.
Come with me. Doña Ángela will tell you what to do.
The key to this job is being observant. If you are, you can get ahead quickly.
That's what it takes to be a good maid. Watch out.
I'm sorry. Good day, señorita.
That won't reach the kitchen by itself. -Of course. Forgive me.
Do you always leer at men like that? -I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...
You think he's handsome?
That scatterbrained heartthrob is my son.
Come, don't stand there like that.
You have to pull the trigger slowly, to prevent the weapon from moving.
episode 9
This is absurd, Alfredo. It's the 20th century.
Why should I accept this old fool's challenge?
You shouldn't have deflowered his daughters.
Deflowered? I'm sure I wasn't the first.
Listen carefully, Javier. One is dead, the other half-dead.
Your turn.
He'll kill me. -You definitely won't kill him like this.
You have to fire the first shot.
Why do you clean it after each shot? -They're delicate arms.
If a fragment gets stuck in the barrel, it can be fatal.
Try again.
Your father was just like Alfredo in matters of honour.
But he's no longer alive. Mother. Don't take it lightly. He will kill me.
You brought it upon yourself. -What fault is it of mine?
It's my bad luck this man is an officer of the old style.
He just lost a daughter and has another in coma.
He'd also have wanted to kill you if he'd been a pharmacist.
So you won't do anything? -I can't solve all your problems.
It seems we had the same idea. -I couldn't sleep.
So you came out to get some air.
And to smoke. -I don't smoke. This is the second time.
The two of us in the same place.
Why didn't you leave, Julio? Ayala won't stop looking for you.
I have to find out who killed my sister. -How about finding out who you killed?
Alicia, look at me.
That warrant surprised me as much as you. I could never kill anyone.
I need you to believe me and to trust me.
I feel I can't go on like this.
Without you.
Things were difficult enough before you arrived, Mr Molins.
So you believe me?
I never stopped believing in you.
That makes it all even more difficult.
It seems that you want to compete in stupidity with your brother Javier.
Going out on your own to bring in a pregnant girl from the home.
Mother, all I tried to do is correct your mistakes.
At least admit you made a mistake with Belén.
Come in.
Here are the towels, madam. -Come in.
Is that all, madam? -You can go.
Bélen assured me it's Andrés's child, and everyone thinks so.
I'm sorry, but I doubt it. -So you got a girl from the home?
What should I have done instead? -Anyone can find out, just like I did.
Do you want everyone to know that your pregnancy is a sham?
I won't raise Diego's and Belén's bastard.
The maid I hired is willing to give me her baby.
That's my seat.
Catalina, sit over there. -That's Belén's seat, Mother.
This is not a restaurant. Please sit down, Catalina.
Alright, we're all here.
You're late, Belén. -Catalina, that's my seat.
Belén, I'm sure you'll find an empty seat at the table.
After you finish cleaning the second-floor bathrooms.
Or is your food more important than the welfare of our guests?
Of course not, madam.
You look pale. -Soon I'll look even paler.
Don't lose nerve. You're a man of honour.
I've never been a man of honour. -Gentlemen, are you ready?
Stop it.
Do I need to remind you that duels are forbidden?
My friends and I are going for a walk, inspector.
May I inspect that briefcase, sir?
Afraid you might be assaulted? -An officer has the right to bear arms.
Not duelling arms. I'll have to confiscate them.
Maybe you will now settle your differences like civilized persons.
For once I'm in complete agreement with the police.
Thank you, inspector. -Thank your mother, she warned me.
I've fought in two wars and have seen many cowards...
but your brother-in-law has the sad honour of outdoing them all.
I fear he's learned a lesson and will seek the help of the law every time.
As his second you know what that means. My honour will be satisfied.
If not by him, then by you.
Thank God my mother prevented it. My brother could have been dead.
And you served as his second. What were you thinking?
Some things don't require thought. You're obliged to do them, that's all.
Fortunately it's over.
It is over, isn't it?
If you're worried about your brother, you can rest assured.
He doesn't intend to shoot anyone, and even less to be shot at.
What does the general say? -It's fine with him.
As your brother is unwilling, he's glad to confront his second.
That's the tradition. -What are you going to do, Alfredo?
I won't let my husband have himself killed for...
I have no choice. I'm sorry.
Are you prepared to leave your child fatherless before it's even been born?
I don't expect you to understand. I hope to acquit myself well...
but if I don't, I'll have put my honour before my life, which is as it should be.
Waiter.
If I may, sir.
And if it's not the same one?
It's the same pendant I saw at Pascual's place.
How did a pendant your sister stole end up with that lady?
I don't know. Nor do I know how I can get a close look at it.
Without being slapped, that is.
Let me talk to her.
What a precious ornament. -Do you really think so?
I don't like it myself, but it's a present, you see...
Of course. May I? -Yes.
'For Cristina, with love.' What do you think?
This man obviously adores you. -My name is Dorotea.
But bargains are sold at the pawnbroker's, not at the jeweller's.
Some men even offend you with their attentions.
Shall we go, my love?
Your sister didn't steal it. -How do you know?
Someone gave it to her. It had an inscription: 'For Cristina, with love.'
And a date: June 11, 1905. -June 11, 1905?
'Dear brother, I've just come back from a marvellous journey.
The manager, don Diego Murquía, had to go to Madrid.
Among all the maids, he chose me to accompany him.
I wasn't afraid, but he wasn't as I'd imagined.
He's one of those people whose words captivate you.
He's very generous and was very nice to me.
In fact he treated me very well.'
Have you found anything?
Yes.
What?
This letter is from June 12. The inscription is from the day before.
You think the present Diego gave Cristina...
is this pendant? -Yes.
That means Diego and my sister were lovers.
No, I believe...
What's the matter? It's unexpected, but it's good news.
It explains why Diego was blackmailed and who may have killed my sister.
Should that make me happy? The person you suspect is my fiancé.
Even better. Now you can break off the engagement.
You don't have to marry a man you distrust and have no feelings for.
You don't know what I feel, Julio.
Yes? -Room service.
Come in.
Champagne and caviar, as ordered. -I didn't order anything, but leave it.
Diego should be going back to work. Why don't you follow him to his office?
Are you staying? -Where are you going?
To my office to write letters of apology for the cancellation of the hunt.
I'll see you later.
I thought you were going to stay.
I didn't feel like being alone.
You look as if you've seen a ghost. -I don't know how that ended up here.
The ghost of Cristina Olmedo, I guess.
I don't know what you mean. -Don't lie.
You gave this to Cristina. Your reaction confirms it.
We weren't engaged yet. It ended long before you came back.
You promised me there'd be no more lies.
Remember? -I remember, and I've kept my promise.
I didn't tell you about Cristina because she meant nothing to me.
Do you know more about her death? -No.
The whole evening of the lighting feast I was with your mother and the guests.
This is yesterday's newspaper. -Sorry, let me change it for you.
Mateo, do you save the old papers?
No, señorita Alarcón, there's no space. They're thrown away every few days.
Doña Ángela only has us save special editions.
Like when the king honoured us with his presence.
Or when we had the lighting feast.
Come in.
A maid must have made a mistake. I'd love to have your size.
Thank you.
Is anything wrong? -It's nothing.
Alicia, is anything bothering you? -It's just a foolish notion.
Why don't you tell me?
I think Diego had an affair with a maid.
Did you talk to him?
Yes, but that's not what bothers me. It was before our engagement.
But this maid...
was the one who died during the lighting feast.
What?
Do you think it was his doing? -I don't know, Sofía. He swore it wasn't.
He says he spent the entire evening at my mother's side.
And you believed him? -Yes.
Until I saw this.
He's not on it. He's not on either of these photos.
He was there, I remember. Not all the time, as I saw him leave.
Are you sure? -Yes.
When he came back, he seemed upset, nervous. It drew my notice.
Why would he have killed a maid? -I don't know, Alicia.
He also shot Pascual in cold blood.
Maybe she was tired of being a secret lover and threatened to make it public.
But that's not important. Important is that you can't marry a man like that.
I'm glad everything is to your liking. Tell me if you need anything, alright?
Alicia. I'll see you later.
How are you? Everything alright?
Yes. I'm going for a walk. -Very well.
No one who was at the tavern at this hour has seen anything.
People who are at the tavern at this hour...
wouldn't see a crime if it happened in front of them.
I have to talk to you, inspector Ayala.
So far I've put up with your suspicions regarding this hotel.
This time it's an accusation, not a suspicion.
I've fully cooperated with you. Is this my reward?
What you call cooperating is what we call 'obstruction of justice.'
Are you threatening me? -Not you, but señor Murquía, yes.
I didn't kill anyone. And if you don't have any proof, we don't need to talk.
I can't prove any ties to the other victims, only to Cristina Olmedo.
I see you recognize this pendant. -Well, Diego?
I gave it to Cristina Olmedo. -Which proves you two had an affair.
An inconvenient situation for you as manager of the hotel.
She disappeared during the lighting feast.
You say you were present the whole evening.
But there are photos that prove you weren't.
Besides, somebody saw you come back to the hotel in an agitated state.
Another witness, an employee, says that you were blackmailed for money...
in exchange for silence about Cristina Olmedo.
Who is this employee? -Confidential information.
I can explain it. -You can tell Judge Barreda.
I'm going to call him. I assure you that you'll leave the hotel before don Diego.
Put me through to Judge Barreda. -Doña Teresa, you have two options.
You can cooperate, but now for real, or make it difficult for me.
If you make that call, tomorrow I'll come back with a large police force.
The press will note how I turn this hotel upside-down looking for a murderer.
Is that what you want?
Can you leave us alone for a moment? -I'll give you a minute.
You slept with that slut? What else?
I slept with her so she wouldn't shoot her mouth.
Will you let them put me in prison?
No one will hear about this, and you'll have the best lawyer.
What will you tell Alicia? -Don't worry about that now.
I have to avoid a scandal at the hotel.
There's only one way to do that.
Alicia.
I know what you did.
And I'm glad. Now I can prove my innocence. Please, wait for me.
Everything will become clear.
Señorita Alarcón, I know how hard this was for you and I want to thank you.
Is there anything else?
To solve this I need a statement from the person who knows most about it.
We both know who that is. A pity he disappeared, don't you agree?
I don't know why you're telling me. -Someone must have warned him.
The only person who may have seen the arrest warrant before I did is you.
What exactly is he accused of? -Killing a woman during a robbery.
What are you going to do?
Is my statement really necessary?
That's what inspector Ayala said.
It could also be a trap to arrest you. -And if it isn't?
I came here because of Cristina.
Now that I'm so close, I don't want her murderer to get away.
Then it's obvious what you have to do.
That's the bad part, that I'll have to do it.
It's only natural that you're afraid.
Going means losing your freedom. -That's not all I'm afraid of losing.
I know you don't smoke...
but it's all I have to give you.
Don't forget señor Molins.
Wait here.
You have a visitor. -Is Ayala going to be long?
We can't move him to the court cell until Judge Barreda signs the order.
Go ahead.
The key witness is a hotel employee who will come before the judge at six.
Kill him.
How will I recognize him? -He'll leave the hotel at 5.45.
Hey, no whispering. -We're discussing hotel matters.
Let don Benjamín set up a meeting at six for all employees, without fail.
That way no one will leave the hotel.
Alfredo.
It's been done. Soon Diego will be in prison.
What happened?
Still engaged in that stupid duel? -Our family honour is not a stupidity.
Our dream is about to come true. With Diego gone, you'll become manager.
Our child will be proud of you.
As a Vergara, my child will never be proud of a coward.
I'm doing this for him.
What's the matter, Sofía? -You have to make a choice, Alfredo.
For us, or for that old-fashioned question of honour.
I'm sorry, but I have no choice.
You're a coward. -Because I don't want to die young?
If you won't duel, Alfredo has to take your place.
Let him call the police, like Mother did. -Alfredo would never do that.
Is it my fault your husband is crazy? -My husband is a man of honour.
Not a scoundrel like you. -Calm down, I'll talk to him.
He won't listen to you either. -What do you want me to do?
I don't know, Javier, but if Alfredo dies because of you, I'll never forgive you.
I'm getting the hang of it, right? -Let me help you.
That's okay, I can do it by myself. -I know you want to prove yourself.
But it may form a risk for you and your baby.
You're pregnant, aren't you?
Do you feel it moving yet? As if there was a little fish in your belly.
Is it very noticeable? -Not at all.
How many months? -Four more to go.
But nobody knows. -They won't hear it from me.
Belén, señora Alarcón wants you upstairs.
Are you nervous?
There's no need. You've done me a favour and I will pay you.
Are you referring to our agreement? -Yes, but I no longer need the child.
But you said... -Never interrupt me again.
As I said, I won't be able to take care of your child.
The foster parents changed their mind. -That means I'll have to keep it.
This herb is called rue. Two spoonfuls will end your pregnancy.
Don't take more, it can harm you. -And if I want to keep the child?
It doesn't suit either of us that this baby is born.
And the money you promised me? -See it as a payment to abort the child.
Or do you want to raise it by yourself on the street, without work or money?
No, madam.
That's all. You can go.
Belén.
You're forgetting something.
When you're done, wash the linen from the restaurant.
I want it to be ready before don Benjamín's meeting.
Do you also want tea, Catalina? -Please.
It will do you well. -Thank you.
Belén, bring me a clean napkin. -Yes, madam.
Catalina.
Take this cup, it's less hot.
Thank you.
Here you are.
Don Alfredo, I'm sorry this now rests on your shoulders.
Forget me. I'm here to represent the Alarcón family.
Brother-in-law.
I'm sorry I kept you waiting.
Are you crazy, coming here like that? -I'm not a coward.
Sober you had no chance. Like this you're a dead man.
Let fate take its course.
You surprise me, señor Alarcón. I didn't expect you to show up.
I didn't come here to banter with you, General.
Of course not. The weapons.
Gentlemen.
Who loaded these pistols? -I did, sir.
And I think I did it correctly. Is anything wrong?
The pistol could have exploded in my hands.
I don't know what happened, but on my word, I didn't do that.
I know. It wasn't even done properly.
That explains your sudden bravery. Doesn't it, señor Alarcón?
I didn't expect anything else from such a coward.
Our weapons.
Señor Alarcón.
Breathe in and out before you shoot. Aim at his stomach.
Are you listening to me?
Tell Mother I'm sorry I disappointed her again.
Don Benjamín wants everyone there, Julio. I won't be able to cover for you.
This time you don't need to.
I don't think I'll be back. I'm going to court to bear witness against Diego.
Ayala will arrest you. -I've given it a lot of thought.
But I don't want my sister's death to go unpunished.
I'm sorry, Andrés.
I've never known anyone who put me in so much trouble.
Julio?
Do you need anything, señorita Alarcón? -Have you seen Julio Espinosa?
He's left, señorita.
Father...
Tell my father...
Six steps.
One, two, three, four, five, six.
General.
It concerns your daughter Mercedes.
Rules exist so that things function smoothly.
In señor Murquía's absence we'll have to follow them more strictly than ever.
Hello, brother.
Cristina.