Touch me.

[Oskar] Her underwear was on the floor beside her.

Looks like she had intercourse.

Hm, no signs that she was raped.

How did she die?

[Max] When the head is tilted forward there's a tiny aperture giving access to the brain stem.

Someone who knew what they were doing.

The night that Adele died.

I think I might have seen something.

I should go to the police.

What if you're mistaken?

There's another victim somewhere.

There it is.

Puncture wound to the back of the head.

Poor girl.

She was so sweet-natured.

[Oskar] They were both poor, rather lonely, needy.

What's the connection?

What if we play his game?

Encourage him to keep making contact?

I could make you into a goddess.

[opening theme music playing] [clinking] [ticking] -[girl] You touch my head, get off me!

-Be quiet!

[girl] You stink!

Let me go!

I want to go home now!

Let me go!

All the herrings wanted me to eat them.

I didn't even swallow, I just put it in my mouth for a moment!

[officer] I said enough!

Inspector... Ah, hello again.

Therese Thanhofer.

We met before.

Fraulein Brunner's apartment.

Of course.

Of course.

Please come in Frau Thanhofer.

Do you have any further information for us?

I'm sorry.

Well, er, have a seat.

-Uh... Can I?

-Haas.

Our landlord.

I don't know what you said to him.

I heard you having an argument.

Forgive me.

Sometimes I can be a little blunt.

I've come here to say... thank you.

Oh?

The apartments have been swept.

We've had builders in to fix the roof.

We've even had a visit from the rat-catcher.

A gift.

For you.

Hmm.

I'd be glad to accept that, erm?

-Therese.

-Therese.

Oskar.

I'll be sure to come and call next time I need someone threatened.

Oskar.

-Interesting piece in the newspaper, sir.

-Yes, thank you, Elena.

What time's luncheon?

I've got back-to-back patients this afternoon.

Erm, it's ready now.

Oh, and the gentleman he left, sir.

Gentleman?

He said he had an appointment.

Hmm, there was no appointment.

Who was he?

He didn't give a name.

He knocked at the door.

I had my hands full.

-What did he look like?

-I didn't see his face.

But, erm... he left something for you.

Thank you.

He's obsessed by beauty and he wishes to preserve it like pinning a butterfly to a board.

[Oskar] So, he knows where you live, Max?

Hmm.

He's like a hound, a hunting dog, bringing gifts to its master, begging for his approval.

I'll put a police guard on this building.

He's bound to come back.

This is exactly what we wanted!

We wanted him to let his guard down.

Yes.

So?

What's troubling you?

What's troubling me is your excitement!

Do you really have to put that thing up there, on display?

-He's really got to you, hasn't he?

-Yes.

I admit it.

He repels me.

Why don't you feel the same way?

You keep telling me you're eager to get closer to him.

But when that happens, I will be the one who has to protect you.

So, I'm sorry but we are not going to be able to print your article.

Not going to print it?

I'm sorry.

But you said that...

I know and you can keep the money.

But... all this scandal at Modesalon Vogl-- Look... people want to know about the crime story not just "fashion gossip".

This was my first piece.

And you write very well.

I'm sorry.

I know Max Liebermann.

We were close once.

Do you want me to go after the crime story?

Yes!

Yes!

So, you've come for a story.

He knows that I know you.

He wants details of the case.

Yes, well, I'm sorry, Clara, but I can't help.

You gave an interview to another paper.

Yes.

Well, that... was different, it wasn't the same.

I think I can be good at this.

I'm smart.

I can write.

The only thing that's missing is good contacts.

Oh, so that's what I've become, is it?

Don't you think that maybe I can be helpful to you?

I know the fashion world.

And you have to admit, it's completely alien to you!

[scoffs] These women: all poor, all lonely.

They willingly let him into their lives.

He gave them something.

Fulfilled their dreams.

Seems to me you need a woman's perspective.

Why can't we share information?

I'll tell you what I've learned at the salon and you let me into your investigation.

What do you think?

I can't be your passport to a new life, Clara.

[instrumental music playing] -I wondered... -What?

I wondered if you'd come in and sleep with me tonight.

It's been such a long time.

I thought that you no longer wanted...

It's just... with everything.

With poor Adele dying.

I'd like to feel safe.

Just for one night.

Ah... Of course.

[Rachel] It hardly seems possible.

All those years ago since I first held him in my arms.

Well, I can't believe it's the same little boy, who was running around, tormenting his sister.

Throwing fish balls at her.

I, I remember that!

Here he is now.

Successful Doctor, private practice and now a published author into the bargain.

We're so proud.

Congratulations!

To Max, my splendid son.

[all] To Max!

To Mama!

Well, you got off lightly.

She didn't even mention that you were short of a wife.

I was braised for it.

Thank you, Elena.

Well, I must say...

I'm impressed.

It's a very comfortable place you have here.

Yes.

It'll be nice when it's decorated.

Decorated?

What's wrong with it?

Nah, bit sparse-- Thank you.

Reminds me of my chiropodist's surgery.

My mother's chinoiserie would look lovely on that sideboard.

Would you like it, Max?

No.

Thank you.

I don't want clutter.

It's hardly clutter.

It's expensive.

Not quite the fashion though mama, is it?

Of course if Klimt had made it... Ah, well, that would be another story altogether, ey?

[phone ringing] Mm.

[Elena] Who shall I say is calling?

-Telephone, sir.

-Yes, who is it?

Wouldn't give a name.

Ah.

-This is good.

-[Leah] Mm, delicious.

-I wonder if it's a man or a woman?

-Mendel... Or could it be Amelia?

-Max Liebermann.

-[man] Doctor Liebermann.

I sent you a gift.

Did you receive it?

Yes, thank you.

I don't need to ask if you understood its significance.

I did... yes.

Do you think the apartment comes with the policeman outside?

-Should we get one?

-Oh, definitely!

You want me to understand you.

That's why you've contacted me.

You're a connoisseur of minds.

I imagine that mine would merit detailed examination.

Do you think he'll come back to the table?

Sshh.

He's probably working.

What?

On the telephone?

That's odd, isn't it?

I have read your book.

You said 'Beauty can be the source of an addiction.'

Death excites you, doesn't it?

Death is a sublime experience.

Tell me about your first taste of it.

I remember... seeing a young girl in her coffin.

She was so peaceful, so beautiful, like she had been kissed by angels... [Max] You want to preserve these women at their moment of greatest splendor.

Fulfill their dreams of beauty... make the dream go on forever.

Max, the food's getting cold.

Why don't you leave that?

I needed someone to appreciate my work.

You think I admire what you do?

I'm a true artist.

I paint in death.

Soon there will be another work of art.

Tell me how you're choosing them.

[Rachel] Max!?

Aren't you coming back to the table?

[Oskar] What did he sound like?

Young.

I mean the voice wasn't old.

Educated.

You're certain that it was him?

Oh, yes.

He didn't sound manic, rather charming, rather... reasonable.

[Oskar] So, you got what you wanted.

You even started to kindle a relationship.

Let's see if you can write his story before I put some lead in him.

Don't joke about it, Oskar.

I wasn't kidding.

So, you have an admirer too?

And a good deal less sinister than yours.

-Hmm.

-Hm.

The neighbor from the apartment block.

Apparently, things improved.

And she brought you some... cake?

Yes, she did.

Baked it herself.

Hmm, that's very interesting.

What?

Hmm?

The jam.

It's, er, unusually thick.

Don't tell me.

You're making a psychological profile of a cake.

Judging by the sweetness I'd say she's... head-over-heels in love with you.

Do let me know if you want any further analysis.

Free of charge, of course.

Go.

Get your own cake!

[moans] [Kristina screams] -There's someone there.

-What?

Where?

Someone was watching me.

Through the skylight.

I saw him.

Alright.

Here... You wait here!

Stay there.

-Be careful!

Please!

-Wait.

[intense music playing] The skylight was open.

But whoever was out there, he's gone.

I saw him...

I swear, I swear.

You do believe me, don't you?

Please tell me that you believe me.

I'd better check upstairs, check if Selma's alright.

Stay!

[knocking] Selma?

Oh, my God.

My wife said she saw someone, climbing across the skylight.

She's downstairs.

She, she's in shock.

I, I'd better go to her.

Same method.

Exact same pattern.

Did she have intercourse before?

Semen stains on her legs.

And... she's been beaten by a blunt instrument.

Maybe this one changed her mind.

Didn't want to go through with it.

Maybe he knocked her out to pacify her?

[Max] It doesn't quite fit, Oskar.

It's not his fantasy.

He wouldn't want to force himself upon her.

He'd want her to submit, willingly.

Well, maybe she fell.

Could the bruising have been post-mortem?

No.

[Max] Why come back here?

What is it about this Modesalon?

-Inspector... -Haussmann?

I, I think I saw him, Inspector.

I think I saw her killer.

What?

I woke during the night and I went downstairs to the kitchen.

And in the study I glimpsed what I assumed was a mannequin.

-But maybe... -Go on.

Now I know there was an intruder... Maybe I saw him.

Her killer.

But I can't be sure.

What did he look like?

I think he was wearing a mask.

Yeah, no, I'm sure he was wearing a mask.

-And you saw him again?

-Yes.

Through the skylight.

Frau Vogl, I'm a doctor.

I can recognize certain symptoms in you: constriction of the pupils, dysphoria-- I suffer terrible pains, Doctor Liebermann.

-My husband, he prescribed-- -Prescribes you laudanum.

You've suffered hallucinations as a result of the quantities you've taken.

Yes.

You understand the pressure of my business?

The constant need to summon up new ideas...

This is why you were initially reluctant to come forward.

Why you doubt yourself?

Heinz, my, my husband, he explained that there was a chance, a chance that I was mistaken... Never mind what your husband says.

Valentin saw him exactly the way you described him.

-And you saw him twice.

-Yes.

Trust yourself.

-[Oskar] Did you notice the bed?

-[Max] Hm?

[Oskar] She sleeps alone, they have separate bedrooms.

I see, So there goes his alibi.

[Oskar] There's something about this photographer, Rainmayr.

I swear I recognize him from somewhere...

Very nice... -[Oskar] Fraulein?

-Inspector.

Forgive me.

Is everything alright?

I wondered if I could beg a moment of your time?

Please... You said you were trying to find some connection between the women.

The first two victims.

Yes.

What have you found?

Maybe nothing.

I took this... off the body of Adele Zeiler.

No relatives, so no one's come to claim it.

I ran a few extra tests.

Oh?

It's definitely silver.

Odd, don't you think?

A poor girl like that able to afford expensive jewelery?

Must be secondhand.

How can you be sure?

There was an inscription inside but... it's been removed.

Er, forgive me, Fraulein, but how exactly does this help us?

A poor girl buys herself a piece of second-hand jewelery.

What does that tell us?

I took this... off the body of Mathilda Brunner.

All the original markings have been filed off as well.

Oh...

There's a second-hand jewelery market, near the Prater.

Oh, my God.

This is our connection.

[dog barking] [chattering] [Oskar] You recognise these?

The inscriptions have been filed off them.

Like the others on your stall here.

So what?

People prefer it.

[Oskar sighs] Leopoldstadt Police.

It's not illegal selling second-hand jewelery.

Do you remember anything about the women who bought them?

Could be any one of a thousand women.

People pick up antiques on the cheap.

Has anyone been hanging around?

Perhaps chatting to the women who come here?

Hey, I mind my own business.

Listen.

Three women are dead, brutally murdered.

All we know they have in common is that two of them came here to your stall and purchased rings from you.

Look, I don't know anything.

Tell us about the rings.

How do you come by them?

-Someone brings them to me.

-[Oskar] Someone?

I don't know his name.

We split the money.

And where does he acquire them?

The stall owner told us someone brings them to him to sell.

A man who works for a Funeral Director.

'Schopp'.

Inspector, this is preposterous!

Not at all.

It makes perfect sense.

Someone here has decided to make some money on the side, selling jewelery stolen from corpses.

Look, I refuse to believe that-- We're not here to investigate the thefts, Herr Schopp.

That's not our concern.

He started hanging around the jewelery stall.

Meeting women.

Women, who then became murder victims.

A man obsessed by the nature of death, the nature of beauty.

He calls himself an artist.

Who paints the corpses here?

[intense music playing] Where is Sprenger?

These gentlemen need to see him.

[man] I let him go early.

He was dressed up smart.

Looked like he had a date.

-Hey!

What the hell?

-When was he last here?

-Who?

-[Oskar] Don't play games with me!

He hangs around here to meet women, after he's sold you the stolen pieces.

The woman!

The last woman he spoke to?

She's a waitress at the Tavern, The Bacchus Tavern.

They'll have an address for her.

[woman] Here you are.

My handsome prince.

[instrumental music playing] [breathing heavily] [woman whimpers, screams] Get away from her!

Doctor Liebermann.

I've been waiting such a long time to talk to you in person.

A shame it couldn't be under more salubrious circumstances, Herr Sprenger.

You understand, don't you?

I'm no monster.

It's a gift I'm giving them.

Those three women aren't beautiful, Sprenger.

They're food for worms now.

You're going to pay for what you've done to them.

[sobbing] Go!

Go, go, Max!

Markus Sprenger?

Worked as an embalmer.

Schopp and Sons.

And er, how did you track him down?

How... how did you find him?

He was careless.

Making money on the side, stealing jewelery from corpses.

Oh.

Interesting.

Sold the jewelery to a dealer in The Market Place and then watched the stall.

Some of the girls bought rings from there.

That's how he found them.

Well, well, congratulations.

Excellent result.

We shall call a press conference.

So, where is he?

Oh, no, oh, no, please, please don't tell me... Elena?

I need you to run an urgent errand for me.

These need to be delivered to the hospital.

Tonight.

And tell the officer on the door he can leave.

-Sir, I... -It's fine.

Trust me.

[door closes] Doctor.

Herr Sprenger.

Good evening.

Did you know that I would visit you?

I thought perhaps you might.

I've... sent my housekeeper away.

Cleared my schedule.

So, when did it begin?

This... compulsion?

I want to understand you.

Tell me everything.

I suppose when I was a boy.

Thirteen years old.

A girl that I loved, she was taken from me suddenly.

And how did that child become a killer?

-Mathilda.

-The first victim?

And you met her at the jewelery stall by the Prater?

Her face... she was so like her... like my angel who died.

And then after you killed her... you got a taste for it?

You said, "three victims."

When we met before.

It wasn't three.

I came back here to tell you that, Doctor.

Mathilda, Adele, Selma.

I don't know her.

Selma.

Who is she?

Are you saying you didn't kill her?

No, you have made a mistake.

The method of murder was exactly the same.

Someone is walking in my shadow.

Someone climbing on my shoulders!

Using my reputation!

You're quite certain the killer has copied you?

To me, death is art.

I won't have some amateur soiling my name.

I see.

So, that's why you've come here tonight.

You are my messenger.

You will proclaim what I have done in your next book.

I want you to tell the world I had nothing to do with this final murder.

Will you do that?

I will not be a part of your plan.

What?

I cannot deny that... you fascinate me.

But I will not participate in your game.

But you are the only one who truly understands me.

Those women died, Herr Sprenger.

Their lives cut tragically short by you.

I cannot tell the world you are anything other than a murderer.

There is no glory in what you do.

Do you know what this is?

They use it in a mortuary.

-Herr Sprenger... -I imagined meeting you.

I didn't imagine it would go this way.

What are you waiting for!?

Put down the knife, Herr Sprenger.

You don't think there's any art in what I'm doing?

Then the session's over!

[Max] How long were you planning to wait?

I thought you found him fascinating.

You told me, you found peering into his mind captivating.

I was just giving you a chance for further study.

There's not much studying I can do now, there's a bullet in his brain.

You heard what he said.

One murder, unsolved.

This isn't over.

Selma was beaten senseless, remember?

That's what was different about her.

Whoever killed her, they felt the need to pacify her.

Also, there was no ring here.

What is it?

Silver emulsion.

Someone burnt a photograph.

Hmm.

The photographer, Rainmayr.

I know where I've seen him before, Max.

Come.

[indistinct] [clears throat] [Oskar] We want to know about Selma.

I didn't know her that well.

I found traces of silver emulsion in her room.

A burnt photograph.

You and me.

We've met before... Five years ago.

Thank you, you can go.

Ladies.

You were dealing in pornographic pictures.

You look fancier now, you changed your name, but I know you.

You want me to get a warrant to search your home?

What pictures would we find hidden away there?

Hmm, so why the burned photograph?

People pay well for the stuff I provide.

Respectable people.

People in business.

Even some policemen.

Who was in it?

Was it Selma?

Who, then?

Come forward!

I took her picture once.

-Long time ago.

But... -What?

We, we were laughing.

Selma and me.

We got drunk in her room one night.

And that's when I told her.

What?

Someone who posed for me in the past.

I had the old photograph.

I showed it to her.

Selma couldn't believe it.

Herr Rainmayr, who was in the image?

I need to know about 'masks'.

-What?

-As a fashion accessory.

Wait a minute?

What is it that you want from me?

I want your help, Clara.

I thought you had washed your hands of me.

You were right what you said before.

Fashion is not my world.

You know more about it than I do.

Exactly.

This is important, Clara.

I'm offering to let you in on a crime story.

Marcus Sprenger was killed last night whilst we were trying to apprehend him.

So... it's over.

So, it would appear.

We just came here to inform you.

Thank you, Inspector.

But, before we leave, would it be possible to take one last look at the antique dresses?

You see my family is in the fabric business.

I'd love a chance to examine the collection.

Of course.

Be careful.

It's very delicate.

There are no masks in your collection?

[Kristina] I, erm-- I believe they were used.

To provoke sexual desire.

What's all this about, Doctor?

You weren't always quite so successful, were you?

Your life was once a great deal harder.

The painting of Aschenputtel.

The girl in rags who becomes a princess.

That's you, isn't it?

That's your story.

I suppose.

I've worked my way up.

Certainly, I've been lucky.

[Oskar] Not all the time.

Ludo Rainmayr photographed you.

You posed naked for him when you were younger and he kept the image of you.

No!

That's absurd!

[Max] What happened after Selma took the photo?

Did she try to sell it back to you?

The Mistress, for whom she'd acted as a drudge?

[Dr. Vogl] Kristina, what is this all about?

I swear I don't know!

Rainmayr told us.

You gave him a job just to buy his silence.

But he was indiscreet.

He told Selma.

He showed her the photograph and she took it.

And that's the reason she's dead now.

You told me it was your mission to emancipate women.

That these dresses were a reminder of the suffering women endured in the name of fashion.

Where's the mask?

We can tear the place apart to find it.

Women used to paint their faces in lead white, ended up with poison in their bloodstream.

They put drops of Belladonna in their eyes, just to make them sparkle and ended up blind.

This mask is just another one of life's cruel tortures, the painful price of beauty.

Rich women wore it to shield their faces from the sun... simply to have pale skin.

You claimed you saw Adele's killer wearing the mask.

Later you gave us a description of Selma's killer.

You saw him, through the skylight.

But it was all a sham.

You wore the mask that night.

You killed Selma.

And Valentin saw you.

You just wanted us all to believe that the same person perpetrated all three murders.

She was a disgusting leech.

I should have fired her.

She was useless, lazy.

Tell us what happened?

She got hold of the photograph, yes.

Something I'd done years ago.

Another lifetime.

Before all this.

Before everything.

She taunted me with it.

So, you paid her?

But it was never enough.

I thought she would leave me in peace but... she hated me so much she said she was going to leak it to the press, to... destroy me.

How did you fake the sexual liaison?

Kristina, please... Heinz, my love...

Please tell me what... what's going on?

Frau Vogl, I'm arresting you for the murder of Selma Wirth.

[door opens] Fraulein Weiss, sir.

Max, I've brought you something.

-Congratulations, Clara.

-Thank you.

I hope this is going to be the beginning of a partnership.

I thought you might want this back?

Er, thank you.

Come in and have some supper.

My daughter, Hannah.

This is Inspector Rheinhardt.

Er, Oskar.

You're not bothered by children, I hope.

No.

I'm not bothered by children.

I'm just in the kitchen.

Hannah, be good for the gentleman.

She likes stories, if you wanted to make yourself popular?

Well, erm...

This is a story about a poor little girl who became a princess... "Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, To order Vienna Blood on DVD, there was a kingdom..." Visit ShopPBS.org or call 1-800-PLAY-PBS This program is also available on Amazon prime video