Original subtitles

Anna!

- I'll die first. I get to choose. - No way! I'm older. I'll die first.

Did he actually know her before he…

Does he know that Anna hated cut flowers?

Was she a random victim?

- Rudow. - Lisa?

Lisa!

- Norbert! - Don't "Norbert" me.

I'm pissed off.

So you come here? In the middle of the night?

I'm so pissed off that I can't sleep anyway.

I thought you were still in France.

Then I wouldn't be here.

What's possessing you to write a thriller?

- A crime novel. - Even worse.

You'll confuse your readers. You write literary fiction.

You'll ruin the image I painstakingly built for you.

- I feel like writing a crime novel. - Without talking to me at all?

And I hear about it from your tipsy agent when she calls me late at night?

Lisa, I'm not just your printing press!

- Norbert, I was going to-- - No, don't say anything. Don't.

Close the door.

Close it.

- Nor-- - I know where the corkscrew is.

THE TRAP

THE NOVEL

Norbert, I thought you'd be happy.

My last book was over two years ago.

And crime novels sell pretty well.

Silly cow.

This is a 2020 Château de Vaudieu. I just brought it back with me.

I really like it.

Hey, what's this about an interview?

For years you've been telling me, no PR, and now you want to give an interview?

So that I can't back out.

- It's not set up yet. - No kidding.

I thought you could do that for me.

I thought you only just started.

I want to set it up early to have a goal to work toward.

Like a challenge.

Where's this from? Some bullshit books on self-improvement?

I've got someone in mind. Someone who writes well.

He asks the right questions.

- Will you call him for me? - Get lost.

Just imagine.

I give an interview one week before publication.

It'll make a splash.

Plus, you don't need to edit.

No advertising, no other press, nothing.

My publishing house does not publish unedited books.

Then I'll have to find another publisher.

You don't have any siblings, do you?

No, I'm an only child. You know that.

My wife says it shows.

I had a sister who was three years younger than me.

Her name was Anna.

I loved her.

Very much.

She was murdered.

It'll be ten years this summer.

You've never talked about her.

I didn't sign with your company until weeks later.

But…

We've been working together for nearly ten years.

We are friends.

I can only work through things by writing about them, not by talking.

That's what I'm trying to do now.

You want to write about your sister's murder?

They never caught her killer, did they?

No…

You know about it?

How?

- How do you know about it? - I have to…

I should start…

Look, I finally land this top author.

And shortly after, at my 50th birthday party…

Do you remember?

Wha…

- Thanks. - That doesn't mix with the pills. Hello!

Marc, stop it. You wanted to come here, not me.

If you can drink, you can dance too.

Are you okay?

- Are you all right? - Stop!

Turn it off! No!

Stop!

Turn it off!

- So Marc told you-- - No. Nonsense.

Your boyfriend disappeared from my life just like he did from yours.

Or did he visit you in the psych ward?

No, I don't think I wanted him to.

- Did they tell you there what-- - They said not to ask you.

That I should wait until you wanted to talk about it.

I accepted that.

When my top author finally left the locked ward,

she still wouldn't talk about it.

She wouldn't go home or to her parents.

She didn't want to leave the house.

So I offered her this place.

Come in.

My company's guest villa.

The company couldn't really afford the villa anymore.

To be honest, we were almost bankrupt.

You recommended my therapist. Did she tell you--

I've never met the woman.

That was through word of mouth.

Are you not happy with her?

No, I am.

How do you know then?

I knew your sister.

Briefly.

What do you mean, "briefly"?

She once pitched an ad concept to me. For the company.

It was quite good.

What is this?

She mentioned that her sister was Lisa Sophie Wilking.

The author of the sensational debut that was a huge hit at the time.

What is all this?

What…

What is this?

And then you released Light and Sounds.

Your first book under the pseudonym Lisa Konrad.

It saved our company's ass.

More than that.

How do you know that Anna was murdered?

I only went to her place to ask her to put in a good word for me.

In case you wanted a new publisher.

You had never responded to my offers. I mean…

Before all this.

POLICE SEAL

Yes?

I'm here to see Anna Wilking.

Narges, can you please come?

Yes?

Inspector Akbari. You wanted to see Ms. Wilking?

Anna Wilking, yes.

What's happened?

What was your relationship to Ms. Wilking?

What… What's going on?

Ms. Wilking was murdered last night.

By whom?

We don't know yet, Mr…

Faber.

Yes, I have… I am…

She…

A few weeks ago, she pitched an ad concept to us.

I wanted to give her the green light.

In person, visiting her home?

The concept needs a few changes, and…

I wanted to discuss those with her now.

Please, have a seat, Mr. Faber.

Yes, thank you.

We'll need to take a DNA swab from you.

Why?

Just for comparison. You touched the doorbell.

Your name never came up.

No one ever asked me about a Norbert Rudow.

They took my DNA and sent me away.

That was it.

Fuck.

I'll let you get back to sleep.

As for the interview, send me the journalist's name.

Fuck.

That night would change Sophie's entire life.

Everything…

that was behind her.

And everything that was still to come.

Hi, this is Anna. Looking forward to some good news after the beep.

Hey, you.

I've been trying to call you.

I'm really sorry.

I was working and lost track of time.

I'll be there soon. I'm super curious about your "surprise."

Sophie knew that her sister didn't like it when someone's late.

Anna seemed to be really mad this time.

Anna!

She didn't answer the doorbell or her knocking.

But maybe that's because the music was so loud.

Anna!

Anna? I'm coming in!

Anna!

Sophie wondered what surprise Anna had in store for her.

Anna!

Anna! No, no…

Anna, stay with me! Anna, no…

The man had looked Sophie straight in the eyes.

It was as if there was suddenly

no oxygen in the room.

No air. No sound.

No colors.

Sophie felt cold.

On the inside. So cold.

Everything around her unfolded like a well-rehearsed dance.

Step back please. Thank you.

Everyone seemed to know exactly what to do.

What came next.

Everyone except her.

Sophie knew she mustn't scream. She mustn't lash out.

Her time…

It stood still.

Just a few steps back. Thank you.

No one who knows Anna would have done that to her.

- Nobody is loved by everyone. - I don't understand.

I… I just don't understand.

I have never seen that man, he…

He has…

I don't know what's happened here.

But I promise you, I will find out.

Quick question. Was your sister left-handed?

Yes. Why?

Just for comparison.

Leon, I need to show you something.

And you, please don't leave.

We'd like to take your statement right here.

- You promised her to find the perpetrator? - No.

- Not exactly. - "Not exactly."

You don't like her.

I'm being professional.

Hannes, take pictures of her. Hands, clothes, everything.

- Should I? - Yes.

Look straight ahead. Other side. Turn 180 degrees.

When we were about to move the body, we found this.

We're not done yet.

An L and an I.

Or an E.

"Or whatever letter

it was meant to be."

Once he reads this, he won't turn down an interview.

Or will he?

Is that enough of a reason for you?

Enjoy.

Excuse me.

Tell me, how do you know Norbert Rudow?

- Who? - From Rudow Publishing.

Ah, Rudow Publishing. Yes, I know them.

But not Rudow personally.

Norbert is making you an offer.

- I'm not planning on writing a book. - It's an interview.

With Rudow? On what topic?

Not with him. With his star.

Who's that?

Lisa Konrad.

Right. My ex has all her books. But that's your area. You should do it.

I'd love to. But she wants you.

The interview is ahead of her new novel.

Exclusive, at her home. It could make the cover.

For nearly ten years,

Konrad has consistently topped the bestseller lists.

And she's never given an interview.

No one has ever met her.

There's even a theory that she doesn't exist.

That someone else is writing under that pseudonym.

- "Lisa Konrad" is a pseudonym? - Yes.

Several people are suspected of being behind it.

Schirach, Zeh, Kehlmann… Rudow himself too.

- And no one knows who… - No.

I already said yes to Rudow.

On my behalf? Forget it.

I can ask around who else might be interested.

Katrin, do what you want, but without me.

I will.

RUDOW PUBLISHING NON-FICTION AND FICTION LITERATURE

Hey, Katrin. I'll do the interview.

Well, that's…

Fuck.

LONDON WHEN?

"CAUGHT IN THE SYRIAN WAR" INTERVIEW BY ROBERT LENZEN

THE POLICE IS ASKING FOR YOUR HELP

Sophie stared at the bright ceiling light in the cramped police van.

"Like a ray of divine light," she thought.

Abruptly, Sophie was jolted out of her memories.

The policewoman wouldn't stop asking questions.

Why were you at your sister's so late?

We were supposed to meet earlier.

I was late.

If I had been on time, then…

She even had a surprise for me.

What surprise?

No idea.

Probably something to cheer me up.

Cheer you up?

Yes, my boyfriend and I, we're… We're going through a rough patch.

Why?

What do my relationship problems have to do with my sister's murder?

I thought you'd ask me about the man!

What time did you get to your sister's?

I already told you all this.

I have to go to my parents now.

Thank you.

- Can we drive you? - No.

What was that?

She just lost her sister. That's what.

Oh sh… No…

Sorry.

Sorry.

Sorry.

Sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry!

I'm sorry!

I'm sorry!

Yeah…

Are you crazy? Stop drooling on me!

You, stay here.

Hello.

Rudow just called. He's offered the interview to Reflekt.

- Finally. - Hi.

- Close the door. - Right.

Why didn't Norbert call me himself?

We had stuff to sort out anyway. God, these shoes.

Like what?

Minor contractual details.

- The flowers are for you. - Thank you.

- And I want a bigger share in the sales. - I don't need more money.

You haven't seen the new offices.

- And? - Oh boy…

Darling, I've told you so many times. It's not about money.

Money is just the currency of appreciation and respect.

Is that so?

We have a new request for film rights too.

Thanks for the flowers.

They're lovely.

The latest Galant has another article on you.

I'll read it to you. Wait.

That you… Hold on.

I've almost got it.

Right, here it is.

"…that because of an allergy to daylight,

the author is forced to spend her days behind closed curtains,

while at night she requires an oxygen tent to get her much-needed sleep."

One could think someone's…

Anyway, it's all…

There's also a photo of the villa.

LISA KONRAD THE QUEEN OF DARKNESS?

But it only says "guest villa near Munich" underneath.

It's an old picture. The roof still has the old tiles.

Where did they get the photo?

From some archive.

It says, "Guest villa, copyright Rudow Publishing 2012."

There are no photos of you, so they used this.

- Probably just a coincidence. - What if someone finds out my address?

No one's going to show up here.

That's why it says "guest villa" and not "Lisa Konrad lives here."

Bassem?

Salaam, Bassem. How's it going?

Close the door.

I uploaded everything on Al-Manar and the Darabi clan to the server.

Yeah, thanks.

Lisa Konrad.

Does the name ring any bells?

Is she connected to arms dealer Konrad? Near Passau?

Nope, very cold.

Writer Konrad, near Munich. The author.

Leave me out of your lady troubles.

That's your problem. Yours.

Hey, I'm supposed to interview her.

Why?

No idea.

That's why I need you to check her out.

Childhood, education, friends, relationships,

employees, medical records, everything.

Oh, and "Lisa Konrad" is just a pseudonym.

A pseudonym?

Yeah, first I need her real name.

Send it all through privately, okay? Don't use the server.

There's a colleague on the culture desk who can't be entirely trusted.

And the address for this place.

Wow. Quite impressive.

I want that photo out of circulation.

The article is online. You can't stop it anymore.

- Your interview will soon anyway reveal… - I want to stay in control.

Darling…

Do you really think this interview is a good idea?

Pia, stop beating around the bush.

All right.

Then I'll be straight with you.

Rudow advises against the interview.

He only just arranged it for me.

But he's worried about you. That's why he wanted to talk to me.

Tell Norbert to call me if he wants something.

He'd like to read the novel before--

Like I said. If Norbert wants something, he can call me.

Fine. I tried.

And other than that?

Are you doing okay?

That one's pretty.

- That one too. - It's mean to rip the heads off flowers.

I'm only picking them to give them to Mom.

But then they're dead.

They'll die one day anyway.

All flowers wither.

But…

If you pick them…

they die too soon.

Anna, I'll never pick flowers for Mom again. Promise.

How is your writing going?

Are you working all night again?

It's still eight weeks until the interview.

I'll manage.

I need to get back to my desk.

Can I use the sunbed?

- Rudow. - Are you behind the photo?

Lisa, nice of you to call.

- Did Pia talk to you? - Are you behind the photo?

- Are you crazy? What do you think? Hi. - I don't know what to think.

I didn't keep the world off your back for ten years to then tip off some rag.

Are you sure it's a good idea to put your personal story out there?

It's a crime story. A novel. Fiction.

Why would anyone think it's my personal story?

Once someone's found the address, there's the population register.

Your real name is in there. Lisa Sophie Wilking.

What then?

I've never registered at this address. I have a P.O. box, as you know.

Lisa.

I know what journalists are like. Believe me.

Especially those political types. They don't give up.

I've had enough of those rave reviews.

I want someone from outside the usual circles for my new book.

Someone who's usually doing good and important work.

Lisa, I…

I need to read the manuscript in advance.

I will send it to you and the journalist at the same time. Promise.

Pia? You have to leave now.

What?

You have to leave.

You have to leave now, Pia.

Hey… What's up with you?

I have a training session. And you're pretty enough.

Interview, training, all that new equipment around here…

Are you having an early midlife crisis?

- Or did they change your medication? - Hello?

Ms. Konrad?

Where can I get changed?

Over there.

I'll go then.

We'll start with some simple exercises. Attack me.

Me? Now?

Harder.

Okay.

Harder!

Five.

Six.

Six.

Six.

Learn how to fall.

Thank you.

And how to get up. That's even more important.

- Uppercut. - Okay.

Duck. Left, right.

Do you also know about surveillance technology?

No.

- But I know people who do. - Yeah?

Keep going.

And they'll all be connected to my laptop?

Yes, through Wi-Fi.

The ground level includes the driveway. Hold on.

You really can't see it.

Just like I said.

- Where is the provider connection? - It must be on the side of the house.

When you come out the door, left. Next to the cabin.

UTA SECURITY SYSTEMS

Subtitle translation by: Susanne Creak, Diana Renker