The Trap (2026) s01e04 Episode Script
Episode 4
-[object clattering, tape ripping]
-[Lisa groaning]
[grunting]
Shit.
[tape ripping]
[Nils] And you're having withdrawals.
[Dr. Anger] How long have you been
off your medication, Lisa?
Maybe you should postpone your detox.
What do you really want, Ms. Konrad?
What is it you want to find out?
I want to know why my sister was killed.
[Nils] As I understand,
you're going to have a long conversation.
And you also want to get a DNA sample.
Is that right?
THE TRAP
THE INTERVIEW
[sighs]
-It broke.
-Fuck.
Fu…nky.
Funky?
Yeah. Now our whole day just got funky.
Ding-dangit!
It broke.
This broke too.
-[Lisa] Hello?
-Lisa, hey, listen, my tire is flat and I…
Eddie, not on the road!
What? Was there an accident? Are you okay?
No, no, no accident.
Some idiots slashed my tires.
Honey, come here, please.
-[Eddie] All broken!
-[Yuma] Yeah, all broken.
Um, anyway,
I'll need at least an hour to get to you.
No, today's the interview.
Exactly, I wanted to help serve
the food and drinks.
[Lisa] We agreed
you wouldn't come 'til Wednesday.
Yes, but Rudow said it would be better.
-Rudow.
-Lisa…
Your last panic attack was
barely a week ago.
Fix your car, please.
I'll cover the repairs, okay?
And I look forward to seeing you
on Wednesday.
Bye now.
I'm asking what you're thinking.
First you send Pia over here.
Then I find out you have
a personal connection…
-[Norbert] I explained that.
-…with my therapist.
Even though it was years ago,
my wife would divorce me without question.
[Lisa] And now you're trying to turn
my assistant against me behind my back…
Because you're still not in great shape.
I mean it, Lisa.
I'm really worried about you.
Worried, huh? That's why you keep lying?
I'm not your enemy.
And you've been using Yuma
to report back to you, but the worst part…
Lisa!
The interview's off the table.
-What?
-I'm cancelling the interview.
It's simply too risky.
No. Our contract is terminated,
effective immediately.
Come on, that's ridiculous.
-Due to breach of trust.
-Lisa!
I'll be at your place in half an hour.
No, I will let you know if and when
I ever want to see you again.
-Ah, come on, Lisa--
-[phone disconnects]
Shit.
[cars honking]
Damn it!
[phone ringing]
MUTE
[Nils] First, prepare the room.
Ahead of time, place your drink
where you would like to sit.
[doorbell ringing]
I told him.
[sighs]
Norbert.
[ominous music playing]
Robert Lenzen. Pleasure.
We're way too early,
but there was no traffic.
I hope you like flowers.
Not all women like cut flowers.
[Lisa] Breathe in. Breathe out.
22, 23.
Don't recoil. Don't run away.
This is my colleague.
-[Lisa] 24, 25.
-[Robert] Jannik Lucic.
[Robert] He's been dying
to take your photos, so to speak.
But he won't bother us for long.
I'm sure it'll be very quick.
Um, hello. Nice to meet you.
[Lisa] Stay calm.
I wasn't told about any photos.
-[music fades out]
-Oh.
My apologies.
The culture section must have
taken it for granted.
Come on inside.
Thank you for the invitation.
Please, hang your coats here.
[door closes]
This way.
[tense music playing]
[Robert] Nice house.
Beautiful view.
How long have you lived here?
[phone ringing]
Are you going to get that?
I don't mind waiting.
The only people who call my landline are
survey companies and, um,
my health insurance.
[phone continues ringing]
Coffee? Tea? Water?
[Jannik] Ms. Konrad,
can we take the photos first?
Yeah. Of course.
That looks nicer.
[chuckles]
Oh, yes.
So…
I imagined you quite differently.
-How's that?
-Older.
Crazier.
Not as pretty.
[strained chuckle] Oh, really?
Could you try to catch
a little more light with your eyes?
Yes, great.
[shutter snapping]
-Just look straight ahead.
-[man] Look straight ahead.
-Now your hands.
-[Lisa] Anna?
[man] Other side.
[Lisa] I'm coming in.
[Narges] What time was it
when you arrived at your sister's?
Thank you.
[Jannik] I'm going to take the reflector
to the car!
[door opens]
[foreboding music playing]
Would you like a coffee now?
[doorbell ringing]
-I'll go let Jannik in.
-I'll get it.
[Norbert] Lisa?
Hello?
What are you doing?
I printed up a few galley proofs.
Last two bottles of Château de Vaudieu…
You can have those shredded.
Get out.
Well, I've already come so far.
Isn't it better for me to be here?
Isn't he here way too early?
I thought he was coming at 4:00.
And who's driving the other car?
[Lisa] The photographer. Now leave.
Oh, photos? Lisa, we need to talk.
-This isn't how things work.
-Not now and not here. Get out.
-Call off the interview.
-Get out.
[cell phone ringing]
[Norbert] Rudow.
What? Hello?
Tax audit?
What do you mean, "anonymous tip"?
Elli, calm down.
I'll be there in 20 minutes.
[Robert] Is this one of yours?
[Lisa] Yes.
I used to paint, a few years back.
Do you like it?
[tense music escalating]
Magnificent.
I hope you don't mind
my taking a look around?
[door opening]
-Where's your dog?
-[door closing]
Pardon?
Lisa Konrad, born 1987,
German Literature Prize winner,
lives near Munich with her dog.
According to "About the Author,"
that's all we know about you.
Oh, the dog. My room.
He doesn't like meeting people.
I'm a big time dog lover.
Been thinking about getting one
for my daughter.
So then it's your ex-wife's
responsibility?
You've been doing research, too.
[Robert] Do you have it?
Uh-huh.
[Lisa] No defensive body language.
[Nils] Uncross your arms and legs,
and never hide your hands.
[Nils, Lisa]
Remember, power stance at all times.
Minimal amounts of saliva are enough
for a DNA comparison.
Please help yourself to some food.
Otherwise it'll go to waste.
I'll have some later, thanks.
[Jannik] With pleasure.
First and foremost, I'd like to thank you
for agreeing to this interview.
[Lisa] Hmm.
I really admire your work.
Really?
Because, frankly, I've been wondering why
in the world you asked me of all people.
Hm.
I wanted to have someone outside of
the typical literary experts circle's
opinion of my book.
You've never given a personal interview
before me, so why now?
It's what my publishers wanted.
They think that it's overdue.
In that case…
Shall we? So my colleague can get going.
[Lisa] As a general rule…
[Nils] Clear statements.
No hesitation, no trembling.
[Lisa] Look your counterpart in the eye.
Observe and analyze
each and every one of their reactions.
Ms. Konrad. How are you?
-[shutter snapping]
-[chuckles]
-[shutter continues snapping]
-Good. I'm doing good.
To date, you've experienced success
with your novels,
so what made you want to change genres
and write a crime novel?
I just wanted something new. A challenge.
[Nils] A cigarette filter also works
as a means to obtain one's DNA.
I'm sorry, I'm really trying here,
but I'm not a cultural journalist.
You wouldn't have a cigarette, would you?
I don't mind if you smoke.
[shutter snapping]
I smoke too much.
Just let me know if you want another one.
[Lisa stifles cough]
[faint, shrill ringing]
Jannik, I think that's enough photos.
You live a very secluded life.
Where do you find inspiration?
I read newspapers.
I spend a lot of time on…
[disconcerting warbling]
I…
My… My research is usually…
It's… Um, I…
["Somebody That I Used to Know"
playing faintly]
For this book, I read… I, um…
Uh, read about the psychology of…
[haltingly] I… I… I…
You've been writing under the guise
of a pen name for 10 years.
Did you publish your first book
as Lisa Konrad?
LISA KONRAD
LIGHT AND SOUNDS
Or did you use a name before this?
["Somebody That I Used to Know"
playing faintly]
And what is this in the background?
Is that… Is that a dog? A deer?
A dog? A deer?
[staticky audio bursts]
[whispers] Excuse me?
Do you hear that?
Hear what?
[muffled]
But you didn't have to cut me off ♪
Make out like it never happened
And that we were nothing ♪
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger… ♪
Wh… What was the question?
[loud clattering]
[song halts]
[heartbeat thumping]
[heartbeat intensifying]
Day after tomorrow, 2:30 at check-in?
Good.
Thank you, Ms. Konrad.
It was a pleasure to meet you.
[muffled] I…
I'll walk you to the door.
[uneasy music playing]
See you.
[door closes]
[Lisa] Water.
You look pale.
If you need to take a break,
I can work around your schedule.
No, we haven't even really started yet.
[recorder beeps]
What kind of illness do you have?
What do you mean?
When did you last leave the house?
Ten years ago.
What happened?
What does it feel like
to be confined to the house?
It's not hard to stay in this house.
Gets easier each and every day.
Do you feel lonesome?
I'd appreciate it if we could
just talk about my new book,
instead of personal matters, as agreed.
Pardon me.
-I didn't mean to overstep. Hmm.
-Good.
Are you in a relationship?
To the book.
[Lisa] Mmm.
It's about Sophie,
a woman who breaks down
after the death of her younger sister,
and who feels partly responsible,
because she… because she was too late.
What was it like to create
within the mind of a broken character?
[foreboding music building]
Sophie is not broken.
She is traumatized.
Her sister's death just nearly broke her.
But only nearly.
Mmm. Now, see I…
read that very differently.
It is unreasonable for her to assume
the murderer would accept
her telepathic invitation.
You think?
I really wished that the main detective
would have been
the hero that saved her life.
Reading the book, it felt like
a love story developed, 'cause…
Sophie and the cop
really seemed to hit it off.
[phone ringing]
Don't want to answer this time?
Excuse me for a second.
[phone continuing ringing]
-Norbert, I just told you--
-[Nils] It's Christensen.
I couldn't reach you on your cell.
You asked me if I would look into
Anna Wilking's old murder case.
[Lisa] You said it was
beyond your jurisdiction.
Well, unfortunately, there have been
no new developments since 2015.
Except that the swabs they took
for DNA samples are unusable now.
Including the ones
from your sister's clothing.
What?
The evidence was destroyed
after the swabs were taken.
It affected a lot of cases and was,
how shall I put this, not made public.
UNABLE TO CONNECT TO WIFI
All DNA samples taken in Bavaria
between 2014 and 2016
using the swab kit
of one particular manufacturer
were contaminated.
It appears tests run during that period
were improperly handled,
so they're all considered contaminated.
All DNA samples taken with them
are inadmissible as evidence,
including in the case of Anna Wilking.
[Lisa] So that means…
I have absolutely no way
to do a comparison?
I'm afraid not, Ms. Konrad.
Uh-huh.
I have an appointment to get to.
[Bukowski whimpers]
[footsteps approaching]
Figured I'd use the time
you were on the phone.
[door closes]
Could you bring me a glass, please?
Thanks.
You know what?
I'm willing to answer your questions,
if I get to ask one for each of yours.
That sounds fair.
All right.
So…
Ask away.
Hmm.
[Nils] Start with innocuous questions
to find out how the…
[Lisa] …other person reacts
when they're relaxed.
How old are you?
How old do you think?
I'm asking the question.
I'm 51 years old.
Now my turn.
How do you manage to describe
interpersonal relationships
when you have none yourself?
Because I'm a writer.
And I haven't always lived
the way I do now.
Do you have any siblings?
Yes. An older brother.
He and his family are in the States.
Do you?
A sister who's three years younger.
Mm-hmm.
Uh…
And your folks,
would you say you're close?
Yeah, we were, but…
I lost my mother almost 12 years ago,
and my father six months ago, at 78.
Do you miss being in a relationship?
Sometimes.
Do you have any other children
other than your daughter,
who you might give a dog to?
No.
Would you like to have a family?
A husband? Children?
Mm-mmm.
-Is this how you imagined your life?
-It's not your turn, Mr. Lenzen.
You're so strict, Ms. Konrad.
Why did your marriage fail?
I don't know. Do you miss sex?
It's seldom.
Why did your marriage fail?
Because I work too much, I guess.
But you'd have to ask my ex-wife that.
Do you have a good relationship
with your parents?
Yes.
Have you ever been unfaithful?
[chuckles]
No.
Do you have a good relationship
with your sister?
It's just… I find the sibling dynamic
in your book really fascinating.
And since you mentioned
that you have a sister,
I thought maybe that's why you describe
the relationship between the sisters
with such sensitivity.
You're paying attention.
Yeah.
We were incredibly close.
Do you think you're a good father?
Yeah. I do.
Do you use real events
to find your inspiration?
Yeah.
Have you ever raped a woman?
-What? What kind of question is that?
-Have you ever raped a woman?
-You could just say no if--
-No!
[intriguing music playing]
[wind whistling]
I don't like the tone
this conversation has taken.
If I provoked you,
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.
I'm sorry.
What is your biggest regret in life?
[thunder rumbling]
I don't know.
The things that led to the breakdown
of my marriage, probably.
How about you? What do you regret?
That I wasn't on time.
That I couldn't save my sister's life.
Do you consider yourself a good person?
What a question. Yeah.
Or also likely not.
[thunder rumbling]
I try hard every day.
What did I have…
Yep…
A critic once wrote
that your characters are strong,
but that your story arcs lack power.
What's the question?
I had way fewer problems with the plot
than I did with the main characters.
The murder victim was
so stereotypically idealistic.
[distorted]
Why write such a cliché character
when you're generally known
for much more nuance in your work?
For me, she is far from a cliché.
Oh, really?
Anna, that's her name in the story?
I would describe Anna more as an extremely
idealized pastiche of a young woman.
Beautiful and clever, extremely funny
and so incredibly selfless.
I mean, I get the feeling
that behind the facade,
Anna is an envious
and manipulative know-it-all.
I mean,
she's constantly telling others off,
telling them what to do or not to do.
You present that as helpful
and positive in the book,
but in reality, someone like that
is just incredibly annoying.
If someone like that even really exists.
How do you see it?
I know there's someone like that
who exists.
People like your sister?
Because I get the feeling
that we're talking about your sister here.
[Anna] Can you take a photo?
-[man] Sure. What do I get for it?
-A little kiss.
From my sister. With tongue.
Oh, gross!
[Anna laughing] Ouch!
[Robert] Is it possible
that you glorify the Anna character
in order to compensate
for something yourself?
Because I think Anna reads clearly
as a manipulative narcissist.
[young Anna]
It's mean to rip the flowers' heads off.
If you pick them, they'll die too young.
[young Lisa] Anna, I promise
I'll never pick flowers for Mommy again.
That was really mean.
[Robert] I did, on the other hand,
find the description
of the murder fascinating.
The chapter in which Sophie finds
her younger sister,
that is painful to read.
It really gets to you.
Ms. Konrad, I hope you don't think
that I wasn't a fan of your book.
I could really identify
with the main character, Sophie,
over long stretches of the text.
Excuse me.
But then I did begin to wonder
why you didn't let your main character
die in the end.
["Somebody That I Used to Know" playing]
That would have been realistic
and dramatic, all at once.
-A classic in the crime genre.
-[disorienting ringing]
Suicide, maybe?
Out of grief or… out of guilt?
["Somebody That I Used to Know" playing]
Are you afraid of me?
What did you just say?
I didn't say anything.
What surprised me most
was the lack of resolution.
[echoing] Although I have to say,
it's an interesting literary device.
From start to finish, I suspected
that the killer doesn't even exist.
And I kept suspecting that, in the end,
I might find
that the seemingly devastated Sophie
murdered her own sister in cold blood.
[echoing]
She's the only one with a motive.
[song halts]
Get up.
Get up!
[Lisa groans]
Empty your pockets.
[suspenseful music playing]
Turn around.
Show your waistband.
Satchel.
Slowly.
Stop.
Slide over your phone.
Sit down.
Sit down!
[Nils] Cause distress
with endless questions.
Banal questions.
Provocative questions. Threats.
Subterfuge. Provocation. Repetition.
Catch contradictions.
Punish every deviation.
Create stress. Wear them down.
Create stress. Wear them down.
I have questions for you,
and I expect you to answer them honestly.
Do you understand?
Do you?
Yeah.
How old are you?
I am 51.
-Where did you grow up?
-In Munich.
-How old was your father when he passed?
-Do you have any siblings?
-Yes, an older brother.
And children?
-Listen, we went over all this earlier--
-Do you have children?
I have a daughter.
Do you enjoy inflicting pain on others?
-No.
-You ever tortured an animal?
-No.
-Do you prefer dogs or cats?
-Dogs, I…
-Is this a game to you?
-Uh-uh.
-[thunder crashes]
I already know the answers
to every question I've asked you.
So why even ask?
Because I want to hear the answers
from your mouth!
The answers to what?
How old is your daughter?
My daughter is 12.
-What grade is your daughter in?
-Seventh.
-What's her best subject in school?
-Math.
-What's her horse's name?
-Lucy.
-Do you think you're a good father?
-Yes.
What's your daughter's best friend's name?
-Annika! Annika Mehler!
-That's right. Anni. Annika Mehler.
-Ever killed anyone?
-No.
-Is there anything you would kill for?
-No.
-Would you kill for your daughter?
-Yes.
But you just said you would never kill.
What? I know what I already said,
but I mean…
Of course nothing could stop me
from protecting my daughter.
[storm rumbling]
This situation bothers you?
No.
You can end it anytime you want.
How's that?
I want a confession.
Then tell me what I'm supposed to be
confessing to.
You don't know what I'm talking about?
I don't have the faintest clue.
I find that hard to believe.
Stand up!
Stand up!
[Robert groans]
Turn around.
Go on.
Move!
Turn right.
Now left.
Wash that up.
Do you mind?
[foreboding music playing]
Let me leave.
[Lisa] Why did you ask about my dog?
Why did you ask about my dog?
No reason. Just small talk.
Why did you ask about my dog?
The dust cover on every one of your books
says you have a dog.
It's a perfectly normal question.
Do you have children?
Please…
-Do you have children?
-Please leave my daughter out of this.
What do you want?
You know what I want.
A confession, right?
-A confession.
-But I don't know what--
I'll help you then.
Where did you live 10 years ago?
-Ten years ago?
-Ten years ago.
Uh…
In Munich.
That was the year before
I had to leave Munich.
Where did you meet Anna Wilking?
Who's that?
Where were you on the 5th of July 2015?
-How should I know?
-Think about it.
-I don't know.
-What made you decide to kill my sister?
I didn't!
Ugh…
[gun clatters]
If you confess,
I promise that I'll let you leave.
I have nothing to confess.
Your thinking's not clear.
You have two options.
Option number one,
you tell me the truth and I let you go.
Option number two…
I shoot you.
[suspenseful music playing]
[suspenseful outro music continuing]
-[Lisa groaning]
[grunting]
Shit.
[tape ripping]
[Nils] And you're having withdrawals.
[Dr. Anger] How long have you been
off your medication, Lisa?
Maybe you should postpone your detox.
What do you really want, Ms. Konrad?
What is it you want to find out?
I want to know why my sister was killed.
[Nils] As I understand,
you're going to have a long conversation.
And you also want to get a DNA sample.
Is that right?
THE TRAP
THE INTERVIEW
[sighs]
-It broke.
-Fuck.
Fu…nky.
Funky?
Yeah. Now our whole day just got funky.
Ding-dangit!
It broke.
This broke too.
-[Lisa] Hello?
-Lisa, hey, listen, my tire is flat and I…
Eddie, not on the road!
What? Was there an accident? Are you okay?
No, no, no accident.
Some idiots slashed my tires.
Honey, come here, please.
-[Eddie] All broken!
-[Yuma] Yeah, all broken.
Um, anyway,
I'll need at least an hour to get to you.
No, today's the interview.
Exactly, I wanted to help serve
the food and drinks.
[Lisa] We agreed
you wouldn't come 'til Wednesday.
Yes, but Rudow said it would be better.
-Rudow.
-Lisa…
Your last panic attack was
barely a week ago.
Fix your car, please.
I'll cover the repairs, okay?
And I look forward to seeing you
on Wednesday.
Bye now.
I'm asking what you're thinking.
First you send Pia over here.
Then I find out you have
a personal connection…
-[Norbert] I explained that.
-…with my therapist.
Even though it was years ago,
my wife would divorce me without question.
[Lisa] And now you're trying to turn
my assistant against me behind my back…
Because you're still not in great shape.
I mean it, Lisa.
I'm really worried about you.
Worried, huh? That's why you keep lying?
I'm not your enemy.
And you've been using Yuma
to report back to you, but the worst part…
Lisa!
The interview's off the table.
-What?
-I'm cancelling the interview.
It's simply too risky.
No. Our contract is terminated,
effective immediately.
Come on, that's ridiculous.
-Due to breach of trust.
-Lisa!
I'll be at your place in half an hour.
No, I will let you know if and when
I ever want to see you again.
-Ah, come on, Lisa--
-[phone disconnects]
Shit.
[cars honking]
Damn it!
[phone ringing]
MUTE
[Nils] First, prepare the room.
Ahead of time, place your drink
where you would like to sit.
[doorbell ringing]
I told him.
[sighs]
Norbert.
[ominous music playing]
Robert Lenzen. Pleasure.
We're way too early,
but there was no traffic.
I hope you like flowers.
Not all women like cut flowers.
[Lisa] Breathe in. Breathe out.
22, 23.
Don't recoil. Don't run away.
This is my colleague.
-[Lisa] 24, 25.
-[Robert] Jannik Lucic.
[Robert] He's been dying
to take your photos, so to speak.
But he won't bother us for long.
I'm sure it'll be very quick.
Um, hello. Nice to meet you.
[Lisa] Stay calm.
I wasn't told about any photos.
-[music fades out]
-Oh.
My apologies.
The culture section must have
taken it for granted.
Come on inside.
Thank you for the invitation.
Please, hang your coats here.
[door closes]
This way.
[tense music playing]
[Robert] Nice house.
Beautiful view.
How long have you lived here?
[phone ringing]
Are you going to get that?
I don't mind waiting.
The only people who call my landline are
survey companies and, um,
my health insurance.
[phone continues ringing]
Coffee? Tea? Water?
[Jannik] Ms. Konrad,
can we take the photos first?
Yeah. Of course.
That looks nicer.
[chuckles]
Oh, yes.
So…
I imagined you quite differently.
-How's that?
-Older.
Crazier.
Not as pretty.
[strained chuckle] Oh, really?
Could you try to catch
a little more light with your eyes?
Yes, great.
[shutter snapping]
-Just look straight ahead.
-[man] Look straight ahead.
-Now your hands.
-[Lisa] Anna?
[man] Other side.
[Lisa] I'm coming in.
[Narges] What time was it
when you arrived at your sister's?
Thank you.
[Jannik] I'm going to take the reflector
to the car!
[door opens]
[foreboding music playing]
Would you like a coffee now?
[doorbell ringing]
-I'll go let Jannik in.
-I'll get it.
[Norbert] Lisa?
Hello?
What are you doing?
I printed up a few galley proofs.
Last two bottles of Château de Vaudieu…
You can have those shredded.
Get out.
Well, I've already come so far.
Isn't it better for me to be here?
Isn't he here way too early?
I thought he was coming at 4:00.
And who's driving the other car?
[Lisa] The photographer. Now leave.
Oh, photos? Lisa, we need to talk.
-This isn't how things work.
-Not now and not here. Get out.
-Call off the interview.
-Get out.
[cell phone ringing]
[Norbert] Rudow.
What? Hello?
Tax audit?
What do you mean, "anonymous tip"?
Elli, calm down.
I'll be there in 20 minutes.
[Robert] Is this one of yours?
[Lisa] Yes.
I used to paint, a few years back.
Do you like it?
[tense music escalating]
Magnificent.
I hope you don't mind
my taking a look around?
[door opening]
-Where's your dog?
-[door closing]
Pardon?
Lisa Konrad, born 1987,
German Literature Prize winner,
lives near Munich with her dog.
According to "About the Author,"
that's all we know about you.
Oh, the dog. My room.
He doesn't like meeting people.
I'm a big time dog lover.
Been thinking about getting one
for my daughter.
So then it's your ex-wife's
responsibility?
You've been doing research, too.
[Robert] Do you have it?
Uh-huh.
[Lisa] No defensive body language.
[Nils] Uncross your arms and legs,
and never hide your hands.
[Nils, Lisa]
Remember, power stance at all times.
Minimal amounts of saliva are enough
for a DNA comparison.
Please help yourself to some food.
Otherwise it'll go to waste.
I'll have some later, thanks.
[Jannik] With pleasure.
First and foremost, I'd like to thank you
for agreeing to this interview.
[Lisa] Hmm.
I really admire your work.
Really?
Because, frankly, I've been wondering why
in the world you asked me of all people.
Hm.
I wanted to have someone outside of
the typical literary experts circle's
opinion of my book.
You've never given a personal interview
before me, so why now?
It's what my publishers wanted.
They think that it's overdue.
In that case…
Shall we? So my colleague can get going.
[Lisa] As a general rule…
[Nils] Clear statements.
No hesitation, no trembling.
[Lisa] Look your counterpart in the eye.
Observe and analyze
each and every one of their reactions.
Ms. Konrad. How are you?
-[shutter snapping]
-[chuckles]
-[shutter continues snapping]
-Good. I'm doing good.
To date, you've experienced success
with your novels,
so what made you want to change genres
and write a crime novel?
I just wanted something new. A challenge.
[Nils] A cigarette filter also works
as a means to obtain one's DNA.
I'm sorry, I'm really trying here,
but I'm not a cultural journalist.
You wouldn't have a cigarette, would you?
I don't mind if you smoke.
[shutter snapping]
I smoke too much.
Just let me know if you want another one.
[Lisa stifles cough]
[faint, shrill ringing]
Jannik, I think that's enough photos.
You live a very secluded life.
Where do you find inspiration?
I read newspapers.
I spend a lot of time on…
[disconcerting warbling]
I…
My… My research is usually…
It's… Um, I…
["Somebody That I Used to Know"
playing faintly]
For this book, I read… I, um…
Uh, read about the psychology of…
[haltingly] I… I… I…
You've been writing under the guise
of a pen name for 10 years.
Did you publish your first book
as Lisa Konrad?
LISA KONRAD
LIGHT AND SOUNDS
Or did you use a name before this?
["Somebody That I Used to Know"
playing faintly]
And what is this in the background?
Is that… Is that a dog? A deer?
A dog? A deer?
[staticky audio bursts]
[whispers] Excuse me?
Do you hear that?
Hear what?
[muffled]
But you didn't have to cut me off ♪
Make out like it never happened
And that we were nothing ♪
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger… ♪
Wh… What was the question?
[loud clattering]
[song halts]
[heartbeat thumping]
[heartbeat intensifying]
Day after tomorrow, 2:30 at check-in?
Good.
Thank you, Ms. Konrad.
It was a pleasure to meet you.
[muffled] I…
I'll walk you to the door.
[uneasy music playing]
See you.
[door closes]
[Lisa] Water.
You look pale.
If you need to take a break,
I can work around your schedule.
No, we haven't even really started yet.
[recorder beeps]
What kind of illness do you have?
What do you mean?
When did you last leave the house?
Ten years ago.
What happened?
What does it feel like
to be confined to the house?
It's not hard to stay in this house.
Gets easier each and every day.
Do you feel lonesome?
I'd appreciate it if we could
just talk about my new book,
instead of personal matters, as agreed.
Pardon me.
-I didn't mean to overstep. Hmm.
-Good.
Are you in a relationship?
To the book.
[Lisa] Mmm.
It's about Sophie,
a woman who breaks down
after the death of her younger sister,
and who feels partly responsible,
because she… because she was too late.
What was it like to create
within the mind of a broken character?
[foreboding music building]
Sophie is not broken.
She is traumatized.
Her sister's death just nearly broke her.
But only nearly.
Mmm. Now, see I…
read that very differently.
It is unreasonable for her to assume
the murderer would accept
her telepathic invitation.
You think?
I really wished that the main detective
would have been
the hero that saved her life.
Reading the book, it felt like
a love story developed, 'cause…
Sophie and the cop
really seemed to hit it off.
[phone ringing]
Don't want to answer this time?
Excuse me for a second.
[phone continuing ringing]
-Norbert, I just told you--
-[Nils] It's Christensen.
I couldn't reach you on your cell.
You asked me if I would look into
Anna Wilking's old murder case.
[Lisa] You said it was
beyond your jurisdiction.
Well, unfortunately, there have been
no new developments since 2015.
Except that the swabs they took
for DNA samples are unusable now.
Including the ones
from your sister's clothing.
What?
The evidence was destroyed
after the swabs were taken.
It affected a lot of cases and was,
how shall I put this, not made public.
UNABLE TO CONNECT TO WIFI
All DNA samples taken in Bavaria
between 2014 and 2016
using the swab kit
of one particular manufacturer
were contaminated.
It appears tests run during that period
were improperly handled,
so they're all considered contaminated.
All DNA samples taken with them
are inadmissible as evidence,
including in the case of Anna Wilking.
[Lisa] So that means…
I have absolutely no way
to do a comparison?
I'm afraid not, Ms. Konrad.
Uh-huh.
I have an appointment to get to.
[Bukowski whimpers]
[footsteps approaching]
Figured I'd use the time
you were on the phone.
[door closes]
Could you bring me a glass, please?
Thanks.
You know what?
I'm willing to answer your questions,
if I get to ask one for each of yours.
That sounds fair.
All right.
So…
Ask away.
Hmm.
[Nils] Start with innocuous questions
to find out how the…
[Lisa] …other person reacts
when they're relaxed.
How old are you?
How old do you think?
I'm asking the question.
I'm 51 years old.
Now my turn.
How do you manage to describe
interpersonal relationships
when you have none yourself?
Because I'm a writer.
And I haven't always lived
the way I do now.
Do you have any siblings?
Yes. An older brother.
He and his family are in the States.
Do you?
A sister who's three years younger.
Mm-hmm.
Uh…
And your folks,
would you say you're close?
Yeah, we were, but…
I lost my mother almost 12 years ago,
and my father six months ago, at 78.
Do you miss being in a relationship?
Sometimes.
Do you have any other children
other than your daughter,
who you might give a dog to?
No.
Would you like to have a family?
A husband? Children?
Mm-mmm.
-Is this how you imagined your life?
-It's not your turn, Mr. Lenzen.
You're so strict, Ms. Konrad.
Why did your marriage fail?
I don't know. Do you miss sex?
It's seldom.
Why did your marriage fail?
Because I work too much, I guess.
But you'd have to ask my ex-wife that.
Do you have a good relationship
with your parents?
Yes.
Have you ever been unfaithful?
[chuckles]
No.
Do you have a good relationship
with your sister?
It's just… I find the sibling dynamic
in your book really fascinating.
And since you mentioned
that you have a sister,
I thought maybe that's why you describe
the relationship between the sisters
with such sensitivity.
You're paying attention.
Yeah.
We were incredibly close.
Do you think you're a good father?
Yeah. I do.
Do you use real events
to find your inspiration?
Yeah.
Have you ever raped a woman?
-What? What kind of question is that?
-Have you ever raped a woman?
-You could just say no if--
-No!
[intriguing music playing]
[wind whistling]
I don't like the tone
this conversation has taken.
If I provoked you,
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.
I'm sorry.
What is your biggest regret in life?
[thunder rumbling]
I don't know.
The things that led to the breakdown
of my marriage, probably.
How about you? What do you regret?
That I wasn't on time.
That I couldn't save my sister's life.
Do you consider yourself a good person?
What a question. Yeah.
Or also likely not.
[thunder rumbling]
I try hard every day.
What did I have…
Yep…
A critic once wrote
that your characters are strong,
but that your story arcs lack power.
What's the question?
I had way fewer problems with the plot
than I did with the main characters.
The murder victim was
so stereotypically idealistic.
[distorted]
Why write such a cliché character
when you're generally known
for much more nuance in your work?
For me, she is far from a cliché.
Oh, really?
Anna, that's her name in the story?
I would describe Anna more as an extremely
idealized pastiche of a young woman.
Beautiful and clever, extremely funny
and so incredibly selfless.
I mean, I get the feeling
that behind the facade,
Anna is an envious
and manipulative know-it-all.
I mean,
she's constantly telling others off,
telling them what to do or not to do.
You present that as helpful
and positive in the book,
but in reality, someone like that
is just incredibly annoying.
If someone like that even really exists.
How do you see it?
I know there's someone like that
who exists.
People like your sister?
Because I get the feeling
that we're talking about your sister here.
[Anna] Can you take a photo?
-[man] Sure. What do I get for it?
-A little kiss.
From my sister. With tongue.
Oh, gross!
[Anna laughing] Ouch!
[Robert] Is it possible
that you glorify the Anna character
in order to compensate
for something yourself?
Because I think Anna reads clearly
as a manipulative narcissist.
[young Anna]
It's mean to rip the flowers' heads off.
If you pick them, they'll die too young.
[young Lisa] Anna, I promise
I'll never pick flowers for Mommy again.
That was really mean.
[Robert] I did, on the other hand,
find the description
of the murder fascinating.
The chapter in which Sophie finds
her younger sister,
that is painful to read.
It really gets to you.
Ms. Konrad, I hope you don't think
that I wasn't a fan of your book.
I could really identify
with the main character, Sophie,
over long stretches of the text.
Excuse me.
But then I did begin to wonder
why you didn't let your main character
die in the end.
["Somebody That I Used to Know" playing]
That would have been realistic
and dramatic, all at once.
-A classic in the crime genre.
-[disorienting ringing]
Suicide, maybe?
Out of grief or… out of guilt?
["Somebody That I Used to Know" playing]
Are you afraid of me?
What did you just say?
I didn't say anything.
What surprised me most
was the lack of resolution.
[echoing] Although I have to say,
it's an interesting literary device.
From start to finish, I suspected
that the killer doesn't even exist.
And I kept suspecting that, in the end,
I might find
that the seemingly devastated Sophie
murdered her own sister in cold blood.
[echoing]
She's the only one with a motive.
[song halts]
Get up.
Get up!
[Lisa groans]
Empty your pockets.
[suspenseful music playing]
Turn around.
Show your waistband.
Satchel.
Slowly.
Stop.
Slide over your phone.
Sit down.
Sit down!
[Nils] Cause distress
with endless questions.
Banal questions.
Provocative questions. Threats.
Subterfuge. Provocation. Repetition.
Catch contradictions.
Punish every deviation.
Create stress. Wear them down.
Create stress. Wear them down.
I have questions for you,
and I expect you to answer them honestly.
Do you understand?
Do you?
Yeah.
How old are you?
I am 51.
-Where did you grow up?
-In Munich.
-How old was your father when he passed?
-Do you have any siblings?
-Yes, an older brother.
And children?
-Listen, we went over all this earlier--
-Do you have children?
I have a daughter.
Do you enjoy inflicting pain on others?
-No.
-You ever tortured an animal?
-No.
-Do you prefer dogs or cats?
-Dogs, I…
-Is this a game to you?
-Uh-uh.
-[thunder crashes]
I already know the answers
to every question I've asked you.
So why even ask?
Because I want to hear the answers
from your mouth!
The answers to what?
How old is your daughter?
My daughter is 12.
-What grade is your daughter in?
-Seventh.
-What's her best subject in school?
-Math.
-What's her horse's name?
-Lucy.
-Do you think you're a good father?
-Yes.
What's your daughter's best friend's name?
-Annika! Annika Mehler!
-That's right. Anni. Annika Mehler.
-Ever killed anyone?
-No.
-Is there anything you would kill for?
-No.
-Would you kill for your daughter?
-Yes.
But you just said you would never kill.
What? I know what I already said,
but I mean…
Of course nothing could stop me
from protecting my daughter.
[storm rumbling]
This situation bothers you?
No.
You can end it anytime you want.
How's that?
I want a confession.
Then tell me what I'm supposed to be
confessing to.
You don't know what I'm talking about?
I don't have the faintest clue.
I find that hard to believe.
Stand up!
Stand up!
[Robert groans]
Turn around.
Go on.
Move!
Turn right.
Now left.
Wash that up.
Do you mind?
[foreboding music playing]
Let me leave.
[Lisa] Why did you ask about my dog?
Why did you ask about my dog?
No reason. Just small talk.
Why did you ask about my dog?
The dust cover on every one of your books
says you have a dog.
It's a perfectly normal question.
Do you have children?
Please…
-Do you have children?
-Please leave my daughter out of this.
What do you want?
You know what I want.
A confession, right?
-A confession.
-But I don't know what--
I'll help you then.
Where did you live 10 years ago?
-Ten years ago?
-Ten years ago.
Uh…
In Munich.
That was the year before
I had to leave Munich.
Where did you meet Anna Wilking?
Who's that?
Where were you on the 5th of July 2015?
-How should I know?
-Think about it.
-I don't know.
-What made you decide to kill my sister?
I didn't!
Ugh…
[gun clatters]
If you confess,
I promise that I'll let you leave.
I have nothing to confess.
Your thinking's not clear.
You have two options.
Option number one,
you tell me the truth and I let you go.
Option number two…
I shoot you.
[suspenseful music playing]
[suspenseful outro music continuing]