Van der Valk

Where is it?

It's where you'll never find it.

ALIS: He was a scientist.

Tycho's dream was to find a breakthrough in the cure for cancer.

Klink bought the patent.

Dad funded Tycho to carry on their work.

EDDIE: And if Klink found this out, he wouldn't exactly be happy.

PIET: Hendrik's got throat cancer.

You got to get him to a clinic.

And I thought solving murders was difficult.

(thunder claps) (whimpering) (click) Street cameras got a photo of our assassin.

PIET: All right, assuming she's a pro, let's check the database-- known criminals, former military.

I don't know, mercenaries, even?

Well, we're imagining she works for Klink, right?

Yeah, I'd bet my liver on it.

Ruben Mesman himself confirmed the dark web rumor that his father was getting shafted by Klink.

Klink patented a medical breakthrough and sat on it.

HENDRIK: Yeah, only Dad-- a little bit miffed, one might imagine-- he got Tycho to continue his research in secret.

We think Klink finds out people are still working on the breakthrough.

HENDRIK: He's a powerful man-- he's got ego and money to hire a professional to do his dirty work.

Well, we know Tycho Bos was worried.

HENDRIK: Yeah, so what does he do?

Goes and shows his partner's film in a nightclub.

Why do that?

I know why he did it.

The venue live-streamed the whole thing and posted it on social media platforms.

It's still here.

Hidden in plain sight.

He encrypts whatever he's discovered in the film, in those images.

A medical breakthrough?

A swan?

A snowman?

Yeah, some breakthrough.

That really just looks like drug slang to me.

No, it's clever.

They can silence him, but not the film.

Mm.

PIET: Only we don't know what it contains, and we don't have the key to unlock it.

So, who does?

Well, presumably, Klink and Co. know about it, too, and want the same, in order to contain it, control it, and shut it down.

Okay, I'll pay Klink a visit in the morning.

Let's pick it up then.

(others talking in background) You okay?

Could have lost you today.

But you didn't.

No, don't get off the subject.

He can't file a report like that.

This is it, isn't it?

This is all that it's gonna be, just us.

Yeah.

No families, no children.

Is that a problem for you?

No.

You?

No.

Anyway... We promised Hendrik a celebration, so a celebration we shall have.

(all talking in background) PIET: Hey up, what's that say?

EDDIE: Hang on-- hang on, let's have a look.

(grunts): A letter.

"Sorry can't join.

Emergency at hospital.

Drinks below.

Lena."

Shame-- let's not let it ruin the night.

No.

Come on, then.

PIET: What, what, do you have one?

If you've got it, play it!

Snap!

LUCIENNE: Piet!

Ooh!

(all exclaiming) (talking, whooping) EDDIE: You don't look me in the eye, you never look me in the eyes.

(whooping) (toasting, exclaiming) How'd you do that?!

PIET: Let me have a shot, as well.

(all talking in background) ALL: Seven, six, five, four, three... (cheering) (Cliff exhales) Amateurs.

(Hendrik snoring) Has he gone?

Out like a light.

(snoring) About time.

Let's go for it.

(Hendrik snoring) He's all right, he's all right.

(whispering): Let's go, let's go... (snoring) Straighten up, straighten up.

(whispering) (knocking) (whispering) (whining) (monitor beeping) You do know all our jobs are on the line here.

Yep.

And this is essentially assault.

I knew you wouldn't let me down.

And what if someone else needs all this?

Yeah, well, someone does-- Hendrik.

Tell me you brought everything.

Yeah-- bloods, syringes, ultrasounds, endoscope.

Yeah, you name it, we've got it.

(Hendrik mumbling) (mumbling incoherently) (mumbles) Let's keep going.

(monitors beeping) (Hendrik murmurs) (mumbling): Hey... Hey, what are you... What are you... No!

(struggling): No!

Hendrik... No!

No!

What are you doing?!

Get this off me!

No, God...

I said... PIET: Come on, Hen... How dare you!

I said no!

(bellowing): No!

No!

PIET: Hendrik!

I said no!

Leave it.

We shouldn't have, but we tried.

PIET: Morning, boys.

Heard I was coming, did ya?

Wondered about a power breakfast with Klinky.

Brought pastries.

MAN: Van der Valk-- he's on his way up.

Hey!

Klinky.

Oh, what a shame.

Brought these.

Wow.

Look at this big boy.

Very Alpha.

King of the jungle.

Yeah, endangered species.

I tell you what, it must get very, very windy up here.

I gather you own a boat.

Spartacus, I believe.

Correct.

Scourge of the Romans.

Bit of a dimple on his chin.

Died, didn't he?

Let's eat.

Is this all for me?

(inhaling) You're not expecting anyone else?

I mean, there's no Miss Klink, or Master?

No.

Like you, I'm something of a loner.

I know.

I know.

Please, help yourself.

Look what I brought.

Fresh out of the oven.

(in French accent): La croissant.

You said Ray Mesman was someone you took on because he helped you in the early days.

Did you have any dealings with him more recently?

What sort of dealings?

Oh, I don't know-- patents, for example.

No.

Why, should I have?

Hate to think I'd missed out on an opportunity.

The only way to lead a market field is to have control of the technology.

You ever sat on a patent?

So that it never sees the light of day, and therefore doesn't affect profit?

That's very cynical.

Please, no flattery.

Have you?

No.

(smacks lips) That's not what we heard.

You see, we were told you bought Ray Mesman's patent.

Something to do with a potential breakthrough in the treatment of cancer.

And then you sat on it.

Why would I do that?

Profit.

You don't like me, do you, Commissaris?

Oh, I don't know.

I wouldn't go that far.

I mean, we're just getting to know each other.

If you did get to know me better, which I doubt, you'd realize there's one thing that matters more to me than profit.

Ego.

Think of all the people out there, and beyond.

Frightened.

Scared of death.

Mortal.

Imagine being the man who gives them a medical breakthrough the world dreams of.

No, I wouldn't be able to sit on that.

Ego or no ego, whatever the world thinks of me, I am just trying to improve it.

Anything else?

(inhales) There is, actually.

Do you-- sorry.

Do you recognize this woman at all?

Can't say I do.

Why?

Who is she?

That's what I'm trying to find out.

She seems partial to a bit of killing.

Well, maybe she's the pro you were looking for earlier.

When you pointed the finger at my guys.

Maybe she is.

You okay with your crumbs?

PIET: More than.

(tram bell rings) (cellphone ringing) Kalie, hi-- everything okay?

Okay, I'm on my way.

(door opens) (coughs softly, sighs) Uh, listen, Hendrik, about last night... That's all water under the bridge, all right?

Okay.

Coffee?

Thought you'd never ask.

ALIS: How could you?

You should have told me.

Kalie, I got her.

You should've told me!

LUCIENNE: She's with Ruben Mesman.

Can you go keep an eye on her apartment?

I trusted you.

Yeah, but I, I didn't have any choice.

They, they were obsessed with it, that's all they cared about.

Is that why you came on to me?

What?

No, no.

No, it isn't, they...

Yes, it is.

You know your problem?

You're just another parasite.

Another nobody.

Still the loser you always were.

LUCIENNE: Hey.

Is everything okay?

What is this?

You stalking me, too?

Not exactly.

Why, is he?

No-- no, I'm not, it's, um... Yeah, I...

It's complicated.

Oh.

I can do complicated all day.

Who's gonna start?

Want to tell me what's going on here?

Me and Ruben go back a long way.

We were mates.

Just mates?

On my part, at least.

Ruben never did it for me, then or now.

But I was there for him when he needed it.

Just you, or you and Tycho?

Me, to begin with.

Then I met Tycho and things changed, obviously.

I take it that didn't go down well with Ruben.

I don't know.

He said he was cool with it, that he would be there for me.

But then he came on strong.

When?

Recently?

Did anything happen?

No.

Although I maybe... (sighs) Tycho was out a lot, and... Maybe I encouraged him.

I don't know, I, I didn't mean to.

He was lying to me, as well, wasn't he?

Tycho, Ruben, Ray.

They all lied to me.

We think Tycho lied to protect you.

Still, hurts.

How did Ruben get on with his father?

So-so.

He was desperate for his approval, really, but what with the drugs and everything... And since Ruben got clean?

Much better, as far as I know.

The images Tycho put in your film.

We think they might have been some kind of coded message?

He might have left a clue about how to unlock it?

Does that make any sense to you?

A phrase, a nickname, some place you used to go?

I'll think, but nothing comes to mind, really.

(cellphone ringing) Excuse me.

Alis Willems' apartment's been trashed.

LUCIENNE (sighs): Okay.

I'll send forensics down there.

Could Ruben Mesman have done it?

Possible, I guess.

Well, I want a word with him, anyway.

I'll grab Piet.

I don't want you to go home.

Is there anywhere else you can go?

Just until I'm sure it's safe.

Uh, sure.

My mum's.

(car door closes) Ruben Mesman was pretty fired up earlier.

We better tread carefully.

(exhales): Always do.

You okay about Hendrik?

We did what we could.

(doorbell ringing) How was Klink, by the way?

Alpha.

You know what's troubling me?

If we're right, and Tycho Bos had made some scientific breakthrough, why kill him?

Because you don't want his breakthrough to become public?

Yeah, but they killed him before they even found it.

Seems odd to me.

(door creaks) (door bursts open) Hello?

Ruben?

(gun sheaths) Yeah.

(Lucienne exhales) Is he dead?

No.

But he's definitely lapsed.

LUCIENNE (voiceover): I'm sorry, I have to ask.

When you left the park, did you come straight back here?

Did you go via Alis's apartment?

Is she okay?

I hate myself for upsetting her.

It wasn't my idea to keep her in the dark about the research, it was theirs.

She'll understand in time.

(blows out) (door opens) Huh.

Well, it's unlike anything to go wrong on your watch.

Let alone with one of your investigations.

Sorrento.

Remember that?

Worst holiday I've ever had.

Pasta was good.

I thought you two buried the hatchet.

Old habits.

Old habits.

Any clue how they got in?

Uh, forced the back door.

Oh, clearly they weren't after her computer, then.

PIET: Well, we know what they're after.

Question is, did they find it?

(phone ringing) PIET: We know Tycho was clever, we know he had a plan.

But how's someone meant to access it?

And where's the trigger to unlock it?

And how come he knew they were after him?

I mean, Tycho was sufficiently scared to contact our emergency number and leave a message.

Yeah, he did, didn't he?

Where is that message?

Can I take a look?

Sure, maybe once I'm done going through this lot.

You must hate your job, Eddie, whiling away the hours, reading up on Klinky.

You dished up any dirt yet?

I'm working on it.

(door slams) HENDRIK (shouting): CHNOPS!

JULIA: Hendrik, about what happened last night... No, that's not why I'm here.

Let's just pretend that never happened, all right?

One word, everybody: CHNOPS!

Is that what we were drinking last night?

(laughs): No, sadly.

But they're close, though.

Close-- no.

"Shnops" is how you pronounce C-H-N-O-P-S. As I'm sure you all know, stands for... Yeah.

I didn't think so.

The constituent parts of a chemical formula.

Oh, that's it.

All right?

So, let's try that again, shall we?

All concentrating?

Good.

CHNOPS, meaning... C?

Carbon.

Hydrogen.

Good man.

Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur.

Now, listen and weep.

All medical formulae-- and I'll say that again, just for the hard of thinking, Piet-- all medical formulae follow this pattern.

So, for example, um, penicillin.

All right?

That's, uh, C16, H18, N2, O4, S, uh, yeah.

There's no P in that one, but that's how you identify it.

Carbon 16, hydrogen 18, and so on.

JULIA: So, if Tycho Bos discovered a formula for a medical breakthrough, it would look something like that.

No, it wouldn't look something like that, it would look exactly like that.

JULIA: So all we have to do is figure out how the images-- egg, piano keys, swan, and so on-- how those might relate to those letters and numbers.

That's it.

And we do that how?

(phone ringing) Well, I'm just the water carrier, you know?

Someone else has to provide the genius.

No, no, no, you can do that, too.

You're getting there, let me know when you've cracked it.

What?

Whoa, whoa, whoa-- over here.

It's Klink, with the great and good.

But look at the background.

That's our woman.

That Klink said he'd never seen.

See if our conspiracy theorist knows her.

Remind me why we're talking to her.

Well, because so far, she's been right about everything.

(inhales) Why open the door with a plastic fork?

Just in case.

In case what?

I brought takeout?

Oh!

Police have a sense of humor.

Who knew?

EDDIE: Know this woman?

Someone to do with Klink.

No.

Why, who is she?

I can do some digging if you want.

No, we... We just wanted to check if you knew her, if you'd met her at all.

(blows out): No.

No, I wish I had, though.

I could help you with this investigation.

You could, but generally, no offense, we, uh, like to keep it rational.

I couldn't agree more.

Someone shot JFK-- no one imagined that.

Someone messed with the photos of the moon landing.

Same people behind both.

Maybe we could discuss it some other time.

Oh, places like this are all very well, but do you think he's happy?

Yeah.

PIET: No pastries this time, guys.

This time, it's official.

(door closes) PIET: I know you're not a fan of being close to people, but... Mars?

Really?

Why not?

Have you ever thought of traveling to another planet?

Not really, no.

To be honest, I even find Rotterdam a bit of a stretch.

Don't get me started on Sorrento.

We heard you were planning on being the first man to walk on Mars.

KLINK: Not just walk.

I plan to be the first person to conquer it.

We won't keep you, then.

LUCIENNE: We've been studying your life story, it's very...

Active.

Particularly for someone with your memory issues.

The woman I showed you a photo of, the one you said that you'd never seen before.

That's her-- you remember her now?

I do, yes.

That's Nettie Haak, she used to work for me.

Forgive me, I didn't recognize her in the image you showed me.

Not forgiven.

You lied.

What did she use to do for you?

Officially, Nettie was a nanny.

I haven't seen many children running about.

What about unofficially?

She was my bodyguard.

What, before this lot?

A female bodyguard blends in, looks less obvious, and, to be honest, a woman's intuition can be useful in some of the situations that come up.

That's so flattering.

PIET: I mean, in fairness, these cavemen don't exactly scream "sensitive," do they?

LUCIENNE: So, when did you last see her?

About two years ago.

She moved on.

PIET: Like a promotion?

From bodyguard to something more specific?

What, hitwoman, maybe?

I have no idea what she went on to do.

Were you two physically involved?

Oh, you were.

She got past first base, then?

Very touching.

It didn't work out.

Never mix work and play.

Hm.

But then, uh... You know all about the dangers of that, don't you?

Run that by me again?

You lost someone a few years ago.

Mandy.

No, no.

No, Mandy was your dog.

I'm talking about Arlette.

I'd rather you didn't.

Hm.

The past is the past, and it's better left there.

Agreed?

(softly): Agreed.

Yeah, all right, I'm awake, so don't, don't try anything.

Any luck?

(blows out): Well, uh, I think it's a combination of shape and rhyme associations, but, uh, the numbers are easier than the letters.

LUCIENNE: Okay, go on.

(exhales): Right, well, a swan is a, a two, because a swan mirrors the shape of a two.

Heart on its side, same principle, three.

A sailboat, four.

Snowman, eight.

Piano, 88.

'Cause that's the number of keys on a piano.

Skeleton, 206, 'cause that's the number of bones in the body.

Egg?

Zero?

Eh, it could be, but it's also associated with the letter E. In English, the bird is a jay, so...

I think that's a jay.

Can I, um, just ask a question?

(sighs heavily) If you must.

The letters E and J don't seem to appear in your chemical formulae.

Well, like I said, Piet, the letters are giving me more bother, but it's a work in progress.

What do you want, Shakespeare?

Okay.

Oh, and, uh, Kalie's here to see you.

Seems to think that you wanted to speak to her.

PIET: Hey.

Always did know how to keep a woman waiting.

Yeah, sorry, we've been busy.

How can I help?

Nettie Haak.

Yeah, thought you'd like that.

Currently employed as an assassin, possibly for Klink.

Before that, she was his protection.

Before that... She trained with me in Apeldoorn.

LUCIENNE: Same year?

Same apartment.

We were close.

She's hardcore.

PIET: Yeah, well... She nearly took Lucienne out.

KALIE: Then why didn't she?

If she'd wanted to kill you, she would have.

Never met anyone as black and white in my life.

Why would she work for Klink, though?

Money?

Status?

Of no interest to her.

Back then.

Maybe she's changed.

Really?

People tend not to, though, don't you think?

Don't get me wrong, she could get angry and lose it, but always for a reason.

Some guy two-timed her once-- she ended it overnight.

He was history.

What if Klink betrayed her?

He admitted they were involved.

We're assuming she was working for him, but maybe she was working against him.

(tram bell ringing in distance) Freddie, let's meet.

You know the drill, just you.

(cellphone rings) Hey.

EDDIE (on phone): Klink is on the move.

Oh, and by the way, I've forwarded you that message Tycho sent us.

PIET: All right.

(exhales) Eddie's following Klink.

If he heads this way, do you want to join?

What are you looking at?

Tycho's message he sent to the emergency number.

"If they get me, tell Alis I love her.

Ciao, Bella."

(thunder rumbling) (cellphone rings) PIET (on phone): Hey.

EDDIE: Following Klink-- he's heading into Amsterdam.

Wherever Klink's going, he's going alone.

I'm tracking him now, yup.

I'll send my live location.

You're coming, right?

Yeah, I'm on my way.

But Nettie, what exactly is this all about?

Want to see you, that's all-- the past is the past.

It's all water under the bridge.

That okay?

Sure.

I'm close.

Thanks for bringing me along.

Not a problem.

I mean, on the one hand, we are all in this together.

There's no point in getting stuck in the past.

Right, and on the other?

Well, it's good for the killer to have someone else to target.

(chuckles) Okay, let's split up.

Love to.

WOMAN: Was that Freddie Klink?

MAN: I swear that was him!

KALIE (on phone): No Klink, but I found Nettie.

You close?

I got it-- we're round the corner.

LUCIENNE: We've got her.

PIET: But where's Klink?

Ms. Haak, you're under arrest.

Nettie?

We're pretty sure Nettie Haak killed Tycho and Ray, right?

But now she's dead-- I don't get it.

Well, she clearly had the inside track on their movements.

Who else would know them?

PIET: Ruben Mesman.

He ran their research facility.

(siren approaching) He wasn't happy they hadn't told Alis what they were up to.

(siren stops) But Klink did this, right?

Even if it was self-defense.

Oh, we don't know that for sure.

Still, he was here, and he can't have gone far.

If he's on foot, someone will have seen him.

He's famous, right?

Yeah, but it's dark.

I'd know Freddie Klink if he walked past.

Yeah, I'm sure you would.

I mean, you got good night vision, ain't ya?

Like a bat.

(siren blaring) (siren stops) Let's find him.

You can, uh, follow them, if you want.

Piet, we're searching for a killer.

We're not dating.

Yeah, I know.

Sometimes it's, it's hard to tell the difference with you.

Didn't hear you complaining before.

Well, I was younger then.

A little bit better-looking.

Hm, you were never younger.

You were born ancient.

Charming.

(police radio running) LUCIENNE (voiceover): No luck in finding Klink, unfortunately.

Greetings, dead person.

Insights, Hendrik, fast as possible.

Time is of the essence.

Oh, isn't it just?

Well, uh, first impression's bit of a flashback to last night, if I'm honest.

Yeah, not now, Hendrik.

Why kill someone here?

Why would anyone do that?

In public, surrounded by people?

You wouldn't.

Well, you wouldn't.

HENDRIK: Well, you might do if it was on an impulse.

Hendrik, we need more...

I mean, he could be miles away by now.

Nah, nah, he's closer than you think.

The weapon is a very-- and I mean a very-- specific piece of kit.

Not any old scissors, lab scissors, the like of which we saw last night-- where was that, where was that again, Eddie?

The research center.

That's two streets away.

(breathing heavily) Want to live?

(mumbles) Do what I say.

(gulps, panting) Take the pen.

No, wait.

It's the other hand you write with, isn't it?

Yeah, yeah.

Now, take the sheet of paper with the other hand.

Move it around to get it straight and reach across to write.

Actually, let me just turn it over so you can read it.

It's a triple murder confession.

It's cool, huh?

It's written in your hand.

It's a new technique.

A new patent.

Copies handwriting in such detail that no one will question it.

Sign.

(pen clatters) No, I didn't think so.

But then I don't really need your signature.

Just your fingerprints.

Oh, and, uh... (scalpel cuts, Klink gasps) Some blood.

For good measure.

Now all that's left is for you to give me the formula.

It's my father's, and by rights, it's mine.

Where is it?

(grunting, speech muffled) (Klink shouting through tape) (door opens) RUBEN: Stay back.

Stay back or I'll kill him.

PIET: Huh, be my guest.

You said you were angry with Tycho and your father.

Was that just to do with Alis?

It was something to do with him.

Why don't you let him talk?

There's no need to keep him quiet now we're here.

RUBEN: Yeah, why not?

(grunts) Why did you and Dad lie to me?

(spits) Your father did what he thought was right because he couldn't trust you.

(punch lands, Klink yelps) Look at you.

You're all over the place.

I just watched you stab Nettie.

Oh, like you care.

You dumped her and all she wanted was revenge for that.

So, I tracked her down and we teamed up.

Hell hath no fury and all that.

(chair squeaks) No reason to kill her.

She was going to kill him without getting the formula, like she did with Tycho and Dad.

Was that part of the plan?

Not really.

So, she went rogue.

It was all personal for her.

Thing is, he doesn't have the formula, either.

Do you?

No.

(grunts, sniffles) I wasn't sitting on any patent.

I was funding them.

(clears throat) Ray's original discovery needed further work.

I wanted him to oversee Tycho.

Ray pretended it was behind my back.

Did Tycho know?

No one did.

It was better Tycho thought I was the bad guy.

I'm used to it.

And they didn't tell you.

Even after you'd cleaned up your act.

Still untrustworthy, even then.

And there's you thinking Klinky here betrayed your father, when, in fact, they're all off saving the world, together.

Without you.

LUCIENNE: Must have stung, right?

Yeah, it did.

How'd you find out?

I heard Dad on the phone.

To him!

Were you jealous of Tycho?

The son your father never had.

Oh, shut up, just shut up!

Shut up!

Tycho stole everything from me.

My father, my birthright, Alis...

So, you thought you'd get revenge, steal their breakthrough, claim it as your own, and what?

Finally come good?

The prodigal returns.

All I wanted was something, after everything I'd been through, and all I got was disapproval, and disappointment, and judgment.

I guess I owe you.

Yeah.

Yeah, I guess you do.

I have a question.

We think Tycho left a key to his formula.

Only we haven't been able to find it-- yet.

But if we do, who would it belong to?

You?

Who else?

Alis.

I mean, Tycho left the formula for her, really.

What, what are you saying?

I'm saying, if we find it, she might be prepared to share it with you.

In Tycho's memory.

But it's her call, isn't it?

I mean, it's not about profit.

It's not about ego.

You reckon you could put a lid on that for once?

For the greater good, yes.

Whatever she wants would be fine by me.

I envy her.

Being able to... To love.

KALIE: Ah, well, he was never good at saying goodbye.

Fancy joining us for a drink?

At the Scheltema?

Mm.

No way.

He wouldn't like that.

Why did it end between you two, really?

It can't just have been about Mandy.

No, it wasn't just about the dog.

There was something.

But I never got to tell him.

Tell him what?

(chuckles) Hi.

Hi.

I'm sorry it's late.

I just wanted to check something, if that's okay.

Course-- whatever.

The message that Tycho left...

He said he loved you, and, "Ciao, bella."

That's, uh, that's goodbye in Italian, right?

Yes, that's what we always said.

Anything to do with this?

Our favorite holiday.

From then on, whenever we said goodbye, it was always, "Ciao, bella."

(door opens) So, you cracked it, then?

No, I have not.

E, 478, J, 206, P, 88, Q, 113, U... (sighs): 525.

Which put together...

Absolutely no sense whatsoever.

(smacks lips) Hm.

(exhales) (sighs) Oh, well.

(patting): You did your best, me old pal.

I mean, that's all any of us can do, right?

Spill.

Have you got your pen with you?

Always.

Just in case you ever bump into an encrypted medical breakthrough for cancer.

Is there any point to this?

Try subtracting two from everything.

That's more like it.

Your absurd, appalling, and outrageous attempt to get me tested... (sighs): ...was, quite frankly, an outrage.

It was also really, annoyingly touching.

And it's made me think.

(exhales) We'll be right here.

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