One of Them Is the Murderer

Marek, formerly a driver of a long-distance lorry, has served his term for smuggling art works abroad and is released from jail. Years ago, he sacrificed himself and confessed his guilt on behalf of his companions - the drivers Krása, Jelínek and Hess and Novák from the Ministry of Culture who gave them tips. Marek finds Hess and tells him that now he expects the gang to compensate him for the wasted years of his life. Hess pulls a gun on him but Marek unexpectedly disarms him and shoots him dead. He lowers Hess' body in his car into the Slapy reservoir. He confesses his act to the other companions and, through blackmail, manages to receive from them a regular rent. He then drinks away the money in the company of the alcoholic and drug-addict Jarýnek. Four months later, the car containing the body is found. Investigator Hájek gradually puts together the pieces of the mosaic. Long ago, Marek's companions promised to take care of his family. But his wife committed suicide after she split with her lover and his children ended up in an orphanage. Marek, full of hatred, blackmails Krása, Jelínek and Novák and, by his excessive drinking, also commits slow suicide. One day, Marek is found dead. Although the autopsy proves that the hammer strokes were already given to a dead person and although Jarýnek confesses to the murder, Hájek wants to force Krása and the others to confess to the initial crime. Krása is weakening under the pressure, there is a danger he would confess, and is found hung. Hájek knows that one of the two remaining men is the murderer. Maybe even both of them...