Dear Child (2023) s01e05 Episode Script

1
A female skull
has been found here in the forest.
We assume that the area contains
the human remains of other women.
The women who took care
of the children before Jasmin Grass,
who were kidnapped and held prisoner
to fill the role of the mother
and thereby replace
the initial victim, Lena Beck.
We'll start the search
in the immediate vicinity
of where the skull was found.
Good luck.
Possible find in H5.
Looks like a shoulder blade with clavicle.
Corpse found in F3.
I repeat, corpse found in F3.
DEAR CHILD
PRESENTS
How are you, Mr. Bühling?
Good.
Are you getting enough sleep?
I noticed
your sertraline level is too high.
How many pills are you taking per day?
Taking more doesn't help more.
On the contrary,
it's dangerous to your health.
I think we've reached a point
where it would be sensible
to change your medication.
And that would be
as an inpatient again, or
Yes.
Otherwise, we can't
adjust the dosage precisely.
That's not possible right now.
It's good you're back at work,
Mr. Bühling,
but the medication can only do so much.
It's important that you realize
when you start to become overwhelmed
and take appropriate steps in time.
You know how quickly it can happen,
how quickly
the next depressive episode can occur.
I don't want you back on the ward
as an emergency case.
Excuse me.
-Yes?
-Yeah, I'm at the site of the find now.
Does she have the scar?
Can you show me her right palm, please?
Yes.
It's all the same. Clothing, shoes, scar.
Forensics said she's been here
less than six months.
-Then it's not Lena.
-No.
Have you seen today's newspaper yet?
Hey, I'll call you back, okay?
Sorry, I have to go.
-Should I prescribe you sleeping pills?
-No, thanks.
Mr. Bühling, cut back
on the antidepressants.
-One pill per day, not more.
-Okay, yes.
Thank you.
EXCLUSIVE: FIRST PICTURES
THE ZOMBIE GIRL FROM THE HOUSE OF HORRORS
Shit.
Yes?
That photo was taken
in the psych ward, right?
Yeah. They're usually pretty well-secured.
One of the staff must be cashing in.
-You wanted to drop by there anyway.
-Yeah, today.
I don't know if I can make it.
I asked Lena's old acquaintances
to come in for DNA samples.
Why?
It's just a theory for now,
but Hannah is 12.
Lena might have been pregnant with Hannah
when she was kidnapped.
It would mean
Jonathan's father is the perpetrator.
But why? Hannah's father
could still be involved in all of this.
Lena was pregnant, and he kidnapped her.
You still believe it's a network
of several perpetrators?
-I'm back in the tent, yeah?
-Yes.
Yes. Everything points to it.
Two children, two different fathers,
and one body
who's not related to either child.
What else would it be but a network?
-Mr. Beck!
-Mr. Beck!
-Mr. Beck, one question, please!
-Mr. Beck!
-Turn around, please!
-Mr. Beck!
Zombie girl.
-We agreed not to buy newspapers
-It's high time she comes home!
-I told you, I
-Dr. Hamstedt has agreed to it.
It'll be good for Hannah.
I'll pick her up tomorrow.
You just arranged it?
Behind my back?
And the boy?
What about the boy?
You'll leave him there?
He'll be all alone!
-Mr. Beck!
-A statement, please!
-Mr. Beck!
-Just one question!
-Matthias!
-Mrs. Beck!
Do you have a moment for me?
Mrs. Beck, please.
I just have one question. Mrs. Beck!
-Karin?
-Gerd?
Matthias wants to bring Hannah here.
He wants to bring her here
into our home tomorrow.
Is he even allowed to do that?
Well, you are the closest relatives.
If Child Protective Services
and the therapists agree, he's allowed.
I'm so ashamed, but I can't bear it.
When she's here,
when she's in Lena's room
I can't do it.
The photo was taken here.
I can't rule it out.
Your entrances are monitored
by CCTV, right?
I'd like to have the footage checked.
We checked everything immediately,
of course.
Unfortunately, there were some problems
with the security system.
Something was faulty
with the cameras and doors.
So it's possible
that an unauthorized person got in.
Should we take care of it?
No need.
It was already fixed this morning.
I'm sure you understand that I want
to avoid any further attention.
Yeah, that's why I have to ask if Hannah's
planned visit with the Becks is sensible.
They have reporters
in front of their house day and night.
A normal life will be impossible
for the girl there.
And the siblings,
is such a separation good for them?
You're close to the Becks, aren't you?
I've been handling the case for 13 years.
And I assume it is Mrs. Beck
who has concerns about the visit?
You see, Jonathan isn't ready yet.
But for Hannah, it is extremely important
that she builds relationships,
so that she finds a gentle way
into our world.
And her grandfather's daily visits
show us just how positive an effect
the contact has on her.
Matthias comes every day?
He's here right now. Feel free
to discuss the matter with him directly.
"The king was very saddened by this,
but her charms captivated him so much
that he gave her all his love
and preferred her above all other women."
The end.
I read that story to Nurse Ruth too.
Here on this bench.
Miss Tinky!
Look, Grandpa.
Miss Tinky is back again.
It doesn't belong to another child?
This is my cat.
She was a gift from Santa Claus.
It won't be long now.
Then everything will be back
to how it used to be.
Then we will be a happy family again.
Lena, what are you doing?
Go back to the apartment.
Don't you hear what I'm saying?
Don't you dare, Lena!
Watch out! Careful!
Ms. Grass?
Lena, what are you doing?
Be quiet.
Hello? Ms. Grass?
Are you there?
Ms. Grass?
I'm in the bathtub!
That's all right, then.
I've got your father on the phone.
You two were just talking,
but the call dropped out.
He just wanted to make sure
you were all right.
-Everything's fine.
-That's all right, then.
He wanted to let you know
that he's looking forward to seeing you.
Are you cold, Mom?
Yes.
I'm very cold.
I'm sure Dad will give you
your clothing back tonight.
Next one.
Budgie.
A species of bird
which belongs to the true parrot family.
They have been kept
as ornamental birds in Europe since 1840,
as they are capable
of living in captivity.
Although they can survive
without additional water, they prefer
For you, Mom.
A present.
So you won't cry anymore.
I got it from Santa Claus.
It's made from real glass
and is very heavy.
I hid it because it's a treasure.
You are a treasure.
Thanks for trying.
Will you be okay?
Really?
I miss you.
Gerd, I have to go.
-Just one question.
-Hello.
-Mrs. Beck!
-Mrs. Beck! Just a moment, please!
A short statement! Mrs. Beck, please!
-Florian, what are you doing here?
-Hello, Karin.
Thank you.
Is Matthias here too?
Nothing has changed here.
You haven't either.
How long are you staying?
I have an appointment
with Mr. Bühling this afternoon.
And then it's straight back
to Marseille the day after tomorrow.
-Mr. Bühling called you here?
-He requested that I come.
Why?
He said it was about Lena.
I thought maybe you could tell me why.
I don't know either.
I think about her a lot.
And how old are your boys now?
Ten and seven.
Hold on.
That's them.
They really look like you.
-Yeah?
-Yeah.
They're wild boys.
But Vivienne keeps them in check,
better than I do.
-And how's your hotel doing?
-Good.
It's a 24-hour job.
But still, it was the best thing
for me to do at the time.
Moving away.
I couldn't have endured staying here.
We have eight missing women
who are of a similar type to Lena Beck.
All of them went missing
from NRW within the last six years.
The skull belonged to Stella Weber.
We weren't able to match
the shoulder blade bone yet.
And the body that was discovered
this morning is Caroline Zimmermann.
She's probably the direct predecessor
of Jasmin Grass.
I don't think that we'll find Lena here.
These women, they were
hastily buried,
just dumped somewhere in the forest.
With Lena, it would be different.
She was the first, the prototype.
The original, you could say,
to which the other women were adapted.
The perpetrator
will have kept Lena nearby, with him.
In a place that means something to him.
Who's that?
I thought you had
such a great memory for faces.
The head of the security company
has withdrawn the complaint.
Really?
He said it's because
"contrary to his legal counsel's
initial assumption,
it bears no valid relevance
for insurance purposes."
-Great, right?
-The boss came in personally for that?
Yes, the company is located nearby.
It will certainly be good
for the investigation. Right, Mr. Bühling?
Yes.
We'll be in touch.
Thank you, Ines.
-Mr. Beck! Wait!
-I have three questions for you, Mr. Beck.
Get off the lawn.
-Mr. Beck!
-Mr. Beck, please!
-You can't keep running away!
-Mr. Beck!
-Mr. Beck!
-Mr. Beck, please!
Karin?
Karin, I wanted to apologize.
This morning, that was really
Florian was here.
Suthoff?
Gerd had asked him to come to the station.
Why?
Murat Wos?
Open your mouth, please.
Good.
We have some photos here.
Please take a careful look at them.
Do you know this man?
Could have been a few years ago.
No. Never seen him. Sorry.
Aida Kurt, CID Aachen.
Hello.
Is the boss available?
He's not in.
And the son?
Rogner Senior died ages ago.
The son is the boss.
You've been working here
for a long time, right?
For more than 12 years now.
Since the company moved to Aachen.
You
have surely heard
what our investigation is all about.
Kidnapped women, raped women,
murdered women.
Yes.
Yes.
You have an employee for site security,
Klaus Reinhart?
But you've already questioned him.
The entire staff was interviewed.
Yeah. But apparently, I haven't spoken
to the most important person yet.
You're sitting here at the hub of it all.
You must hear everything
that happens in the company.
Mr. Reinhart?
-What does that woman want this time?
-Do you have a moment?
-Have fun.
-Thanks.
My shift starts in two minutes.
I've heard that the company has equipment
go missing from time to time.
One time it's a shipment
of smoke detectors, then a locking system.
-Or a computer screen
-What's that got to do with me?
Listen here, Mr. Rogner is a good boss.
I would never steal from him.
That didn't deter you in the past, did it?
I mean, looking at your criminal record?
That was ages ago.
It's long since been expunged.
You're not allowed to use it against me.
Is that all?
How's your colleague doing?
Without his foot?
Mr. Beck?
Murat.
Murat Wos.
I was a friend of Lena's.
I've been to your house.
What are you doing here?
All her boyfriends from back then
have been summoned.
Well, everyone with whom Lena had a
Before her disappearance, I think.
I'm so sorry, Mr. Beck.
About everything.
I've always wanted to tell you.
-Thank you for coming.
-Of course.
-Mr. Beck.
-Matthias.
Why did you summon him?
-Because
-He does have something to do with it!
I've always said so,
but you wouldn't believe me!
Florian Suthoff has come to give
a DNA sample. Voluntarily.
We suspect him no more today
than we did back then.
If he's so innocent,
why are you taking his DNA sample?
It's possible that Lena was
already pregnant when she was kidnapped,
and Suthoff could be
Hannah's biological father.
And the biological father
is the closest relative.
-Are you trying to take her away from me?
-I want to solve this case.
I'm her grandfather!
Yes. And Jonathan's.
I heard Hannah's visiting you guys
for a few days.
Don't you think it's a bit early,
a bit too much?
For Karin too?
Did I miss something?
Are you playing the great consoler again?
Don't you care at all
how Karin feels about this?
Who's asking?
The officer who's been failing
to find my daughter for 13 years,
or the friend who screwed my wife?
Hello, Max.
How's the boy doing?
Still has a long way to go.
I am so sorry.
-I should have waited until the
-I think you should go.
Now.
All right, take care.
Bye. Have a nice evening.
Tomorrow Grandpa will take me home.
When will you come back?
Never.
But we'll come get you later.
And then everything will be
like it was before.
But only if you don't talk to anyone.
Soon we will be a family again.
Mom is already waiting for us too.
Mom is dead.
And so is the baby.
She has a high fever.
You have to call an ambulance, please!
That's impossible, Lena.
You can't just let us die here!
Everything will be fine.
Childbed fever is an infectious disease
also known by the name of puerperal fever.
The wound area on the uterus,
which is caused
by the detachment of the placenta,
can become infected after birth
and lead to blood poisoning,
as well as the death of the mother.
Bühling.
The car from the accident? Where?
Yeah, I got it.
I need emergency personnel.
I need an ambulance.
What happened?
I went to the hospital today to visit Max.
Good. That's good.
It doesn't feel like it though.
I know.
Mr. Suthoff? Good morning.
Thanks for coming in again.
-Did the test not work
-Could you come in for a minute, please?
We checked your DNA
against that of Lena's daughter.
You are the father.
The girl is called Hannah.
She is 12 now
and is currently placed in a clinic.
Yeah, I
I
I have a family of my own.
I have two children.
And what
Are you sure?
Yes.
I can't do this.
No one can ask that of us either.
-Yes?
-I've found Hannah's father.
Not a potential suspect.
He's been living in Marseille for 12 years
and has a family.
How did he react?
How would you react?
Still, we haven't found
Jonathan's father yet.
My colleague noticed that between
your appearance at the accident site
and you showing up at the military site,
there's a gap of almost two hours.
So?
That route barely takes 20 minutes by car.
-Well, I took a break.
-A break?
-Right after the start of your shift?
-Where?
In the car.
-Where was the car?
-In the woods.
I love the woods.
You weren't just convicted for theft,
but also for stalking
and aggravated battery.
The battery was a juvenile offense.
That's long been expunged.
What did you do during
the two-hour break in the woods?
-That's a private matter.
-No, they're your working hours.
And I assume
that your extended break times
would also be of interest
to your employer.
Jonathan, Hannah is leaving now. Yeah?
Like we talked about.
And she'll be back in three days, okay?
Good.
See you later.
I'm a big girl.
I remembered everything exactly.
I'm doing everything right.
Grandpa, can we drive to the sea first?
Have you been to the sea before?
Yes. With Mom, lots of times.
At the lighthouse
that looks like a candy cane.
You mean the lighthouse at Egmond?
Egmond.
That was always our most beautiful trip.
-I love you, Hannah.
-Forever?
Forever and ever and ever.
Hello.
I'm Ruben. And you are?
Ms. Grass?
It's Gerd Bühling. Do you have a moment?
Now is not a good time.
It won't take long. I promise.
Hello. I'd already rung the doorbell,
but you probably didn't hear.
I was in the shower.
Can I come in for a second?
Could I maybe get a glass of water?
It's warm today.
Ms. Grass?
May I use your restroom, please?
Through the living room
and straight ahead.
Thanks.
Thanks.
-How are you doing today, Ms. Grass?
-Good.
But I'd like to get ready now.
Yeah, we found a car.
Burned out. The chassis number
had been cut out,
but we're sure
it's the car from the accident.
Here, let me just show you.
It's a silver Volvo V70.
Here, this model.
Do you remember?
I only saw headlights.
The color, maybe?
No.
All right.
Thank you.
I know I asked you this last time,
but you didn't notice traces
of any other women in that house?
Yes. Two children.
I mean, anyone other than Lena.
There were other women?
You're apparently not watching the news?
And that's good, but yes.
There were other women before you.
As replacements for Lena.
That's why you came here?
To tell me
I wasn't the replacement for Lena,
but a replacement
for the fucking replacement?
I'm sorry.
You were the only one who survived.
You made it.
Yeah, I made it.
I'm sorry.
Bye.
Thanks.
Wonderful, Lena.
You're ready to come home.
I'll come to get you soon.