Karl Simon is an investigator for an SEK. In a failed operation against counterfeiters, he believes that he recognizes his former colleague and friend Heinz Schaefer in a fleeing gangster. But Schaefer has been dead for four years. He went into the Rhine after killing his newborn disabled daughter. Simon does not let go of the encounter, but his superiors do not want to hear anything about his observation. When Holger Dessaul, who as State Secretary was entrusted with a corruption scandal involving leading politicians, is kidnapped, Simon once again recognizes Schaefer as the perpetrator. But this time, too, he falls on deaf ears in his office. What's more, he is blamed for not thwarting the kidnapping, which is why he and his team are suspended. And now Schaefer is massively threatening Simon's family...