SYNOPSIS
A prosperous Quebec businesswoman, Mrs. Cécile
GREENBERG-ALWAY, reports the disappearance of her husband who had left on a trip after the
announcement of her intention to divorce. His last credit card statement reveals that Mr.
Patrick ALWAY did not use his credit card after a given date while he was in Berlin. At
first, local police believe it may be a suicide or a back-alley murder by ruffians, but
the insurance company begins a parallel inquest that will unveil a clever plot culminating
in a heinous murder. When the horrific crime comes to light, the court proceedings
gradually make public the events and circumstances. At the same time, the inspectors
continue their investigation in order to develop the proofs of guilt. After the first
verdict, concluded rapidly due to the abundance of evidence, an appeal is filed. A legal
flaw in the proceedings, universally acknowledged, makes a new trial necessary. By then,
the inspectors see their evidence, prepared painstakingly, become null and void, one piece
after another, until the true conspirator, Mrs. Cécile Greenberg-Alway, is eventually
acquitted. With a dead husband and a lover in prison, she will walk away free with the
insurance premium and the complete ownership and control over the family business.
Note: This story is inspired from a true happening in Quebec documented by
one of the most famous trials held between the years 1985 to 1992. All names and
circumstances have, of course, been changed.
