For years Thomas Scheib, an analyst with the BKA, Germany’s Federal Bureau of Criminal Investigation, has been on the trail of a murderer. Every two years, on the fourteenth of September, someone kidnaps a young woman, kills her and disposes of the corpse. Three bodies have eventually been found, but five women are still listed as missing. Only for the September 14th date of 1990 is there neither a homicide victim nor a missing person report that fits the pattern. In hopes of finding that all-important key witness, Scheib finally turns to the press, asking for information.
On that September 14th, 1990, Karen Stichler had killed an innocent person. She has no recollection of how, on that cool, late summer’s day, she lost control of her car. All she remembers is a flock of ducks suddenly blocking her view. That must be the reason why she didn’t even try to brake before running head-on into the old man on his bicycle.
A decade after the accident, Karen still wakes up at night drenched in sweat. By now she is married to Marko Stichler, the sole witness of the incident. But disjointed memories from that fateful September day resurface time again to haunt her dreams.
When Karen comes across the police notice in the newspaper, at first she can’t see any connection between her accident and the missing murder victim. Shortly afterwards, however, the police come knocking at her door. To her own horror, she confesses to the officers that she is a murderess …
