Request for Assistance A-25/00
Næstved High Court 15.20, Friday September 8
Ingrid Dahl, you're chief of Homicide in Unit One.
Did the accused confess that he'd murdered his wife Ulla?
Yes.
Have you had other cases where an innocent person
- has confessed to a crime? - We all have.
So a confession is not proof that the accused is guilty?
Not necessarily.
Something more tangible is needed?
- Forensic evidence... - Yes.
So no forensic evidence was found to prove
the accused committed the crime?
No prints on the stocking that garrotted Ulla
or on the plastic bag?
- She was in the bog for 14 days. - No forensic evidence?
I'd like to return to this so-called confession.
So-called, because the accused has withdrawn his confession.
Could one imagine... Can you imagine...
that Bjørn Englund was in the same situation
as a person who feels guilty because a child got hurt
and they weren't present?
Could he have confessed to get some peace?
No, I cannot.
You cannot imagine that? No...
When did Bjørn retract his confession?
Trine!
- I can't talk to the press. - Talk to me. Off the record.
When Kirschner started defending him.
Oh?
- Guilty pleas are not profitable. - He's guilty?
100 per cent. Off the record.
Okay. Bye.
Sins of omission are the worst.
I'll see you Monday, Fischer.
- Fit for a fight? - I think so.
It will all work out. Relax over the weekend.
He's not invited to my birthday party.
Villinggård Estate 16.30, Friday September 8
Hi.
I'm one tired man.
- No work this weekend? - No.
I bought this for Cecilie.
She'll love it.
- Why don't you give it to her? - No.
Hi, Cecilie.
- What's wrong? - Mum says no party tonight.
I said we three should spend some time together.
We can do that another time.
- I'll pick you up at 11.30. - I'll sleep over at Julie's.
I don't want you to sleep over.
- All the others do. - Listen to Mum.
I'm never allowed to do anything.
- Give her a cab home. - With some stranger at night?
- Anne... - Not while he's at large.
He isn't.
I think he's forgotten us.
Mum! Dad!
Cecilie?
5 MILLION - OR DIE
5 million.
He's back.
UNIT ONE
EPISODE 11
It's beautiful here.
Coming, Tobias?
A message for you.
- Dinner tonight? Boysen. - Your boyfriend?
No. We dine occasionally.
- You're screwing? - No.
Are you? I don't mind.
- Aren't you saying goodbye? - Bye.
- Watch the lip. Shall I... - Butt out, Mum.
What's up?
He moped all weekend. I can't reach him.
Doesn't he like the school?
- That's not it. - What, then?
- Nothing. - That's not true, Gry.
Don't get involved.
Is he in love?
- See you Friday? - Sure, if I can.
No, I'll be here. I will.
Take care.
I'm not sending Cecilie to school.
No, of course not.
Anne...
- Shall I cook lamb tonight? - Yes. You do that.
See you.
- Why don't we move to the flat? - Anne...
- It wouldn't help. - He walks right in here.
The police are here now. Nothing will happen.
We'll get him.
- Want something from town? - No.
I'll call.
Wish me luck.
You say he strangled Ulla in the kitchen,
Næstved High Court 09.15, Monday September 11
but that presupposes she got home that night.
- We presumed she did. - Based on what?
- We arrested two witnesses. - You did?
Is Unit One in the habit of arresting its witnesses?
Drugs were found on them.
So we're talking about witnesses who were addicts?
What time did they see Ulla Englund enter her house?
- Around midnight. - Midnight?
Stories about her disappearance had been in the press.
No witnesses. But when arrested they conveniently recall
that Ulla entered her house at midnight the week before?
- There's a reason... - Possibly.
But I asked if they were sure of the time?
They were.
Which suits your agenda, after which they're let go.
- Kirschner has a problem. - His conscience.
The witnesses didn't speak Danish.
Now it's our problem. He's a victim of vandalism
and threats by phone and mail.
He's stepped on some toes.
He had a break-in last Friday. Nothing was stolen, but...
across a photo was a written demand for 5 million.
It may be an attention-seeking fool, but...
the local force has requested help.
Assistance from Homicide? You did say no.
I started by refusing.
Ulf, we've got four homicides on hold.
I told them, but Madsen scratched his ulcer
and went over my head.
Kirschner's a big fish and we've got an order.
The chief wants the bunker relocated today.
You claim he strangled his wife who was having a footbath?
It's not my claim. It's what Englund confessed to.
A confession since withdrawn.
It fits with our observations of the corpse.
She was found barefoot with traces of bath salts present.
She may have bathed somewhere else.
Yes, but it's unlikely.
Please explain.
It was a rare, herbal bath salt bought by them in Germany.
I can't quite see how
bath salts, however unusual, can justify a murder charge.
Hi, there.
- You found the time to come? - He interests me.
- Yes, he's a sweet guy. - I mean Kirschner.
- Oh, I see. - I once had a case with him.
- Yes. - Hi, Helene.
- You did well on the stand. - Oh? Thank you.
I'll pop outside. I've just quit smoking, so...
- When did you arrive? - A short time ago.
- That's nice. - You think so?
And to conclude, this is the most serious charge one can face.
That of killing another human being.
The woman the accused loved more than anything
and the mother of their children.
So I'm asking... What have we got here?
Such diffuse forensic evidence
that it cannot and should not be considered.
Even if it comes from our top police unit.
And a confession!
A so-called confession made in the accused's car
who was in an emotionally chaotic state
after a failed suicide bid.
That's why we now know the confession is not credible.
Hi. I heard it on the radio.
- Congratulations, darling. - Thanks.
What's the matter?
It's almost grotesque.
- You know who's guarding us? - No.
Down! Down, damn it!
Villenggård Estate 14.31, Monday September 11
He could have hit all three of us. We were completely exposed.
He wants to prove he can hit us at any time.
- We can get you a safe house. - Stop it!
It's your fucking job to protect us.
I'm sorry, but...
Listen.
Us in a safe house? For six months, a year?
Our family must function, my job...
If he's found us here he'll find us there too.
- We're staying put. - Do you agree, Anne?
- Yes. - We hoped you'd say that.
It's attempted homicide. We've sent for the AKS.
- AKS? - A special action force.
We'll place 30 to 35 men around Villinggård.
Some you'll see, others you won't.
They'll be here day and night. They're trained.
In a way, we hope he'll come back.
If he does, he won't get away.
Why involve me?
- We slept together. - Yes.
Just write that and I'll get my divorce in no time.
- It was after your wife left. - So what?
- Her guy can sign. - He's bailed.
- So you make her jealous? - Meaning?
- That Disneyland trip. - I promised the boys.
She must be told there's someone else?
She knows.
I don't want to be a pawn in someone's game.
You're not.
I just want you to become Mrs Olsen real quick.
I must pack. We fly out in three hours.
- There. - Thanks.
- See you. - Excuse me!
Shouldn't you do it properly?
- On your knees. - I can't.
No Mrs Olsen, then.
Gaby.
I love you.
Please marry me.
What's eating you?
I've got a feeling I won't like this case.
No one does.
We should learn from the Americans.
- You're meant to ask "what". - What?
They're using lawyers for scientific research
instead of rats.
You know why? You're meant to say "no".
- No. - Right.
There are more of them
and they'll do things even rats won't do.
And finally...
You see...
It's funnier watching them running starkers on that wheel.
- You almost made me laugh. - I thought so.
- Hi, Johnny. Hi, Gaby. - We live here too, you know.
Give us a hand.
- That's too advanced for me. - For me too.
- His knee's locked. - Were you on your knees?
- Give me a hand. - Come on.
- That looks bad. - No, no!
Easy does it. I'm okay.
Johnny, what were you doing on your tiny knee?
Coffee?
- Shall I call a doctor? - No, I'll walk it off.
I'm leaving.
- Can you drive? - Yes.
Here's my statement.
- See you. - Yes.
- Have a good trip. - Have fun.
Gaby.
- He wasn't proposing, was he? - That's a felony.
- Why? - It's bigamy. He's married.
That's two years, mandatory.
Okay.
I see it. Right, Ingrid.
We need to talk to this man.
Bachmann-Hansen... On the estate.
- Poul? - Yes.
Rings a bell? He was the contractor
who was bankrupted years ago.
Kirschner ran the case against him,
bankrupted him and bought him out.
- Why's he still around? - You can find out.
- Of course I will. - I'm off to the crime scene.
He rested on his elbow?
The first shot...
They might think I missed.
So I aim over there...
to show them that it was not a miss.
From here I can take them one at a time.
But I don't do that.
Because...
I just want to scare them.
Yes.
They're now terrified about when I'll pick them off.
And I enjoy that.
I hate this family.
Interview with Poul Bachmann - Hansen 16.54, Monday September 11
- Yes? - Hi.
- Well... A cop? - Yes.
My name's Fischer, I'm from Unit One.
The super league?
- Want some coffee? - Sounds good.
That's an impressive collection.
I only need one more trophy.
Hans Henrik Kirschner's head on a nail.
I'm afraid it would ruin my decor.
- This is Kirschner's house? - Yes.
- On what terms do you stay? - A gentlemen's agreement.
He had me declared bankrupt so he thought he owed me.
So you live here rent-free?
Grand gesture, eh?
- Cheers. - Yes, cheers.
It's walnut schnapps.
Enjoying your retirement?
I'm recharging... For round two.
Where were you today around 15.30?
Here. I was asleep.
- Regretfully alone. - You heard nothing?
Like what?
A shot? Or a car speeding away?
I don't sleep nights.
But during the day I sleep like a log.
Are you still hunting?
I don't do anything.
I've become a weirdo.
I pity the animals.
And shooting people's illegal.
Somebody took a shot at Kirschner.
- But the idiot missed? - Yes.
We don't find it all that funny.
It wasn't me.
I wouldn't miss.
Cheers.
Do you have a sight for that rifle?
Yes.
May I take it in for examination?
Go ahead and waste your time.
It hasn't been fired in six months.
One more?
Yes.
Hi, Falcon.
I scared you a little bit?
Well...
- Are the troops positioned? - Every last one.
In the main building, basement, attic,
outbuildings, forest and all access roads.
Inside and out is covered.
- They can sleep safe now. - I think so.
Okay. Let's call it a day.
- Well. See you. - See you, IP.
- Did you book a room? - Yes.
I want to keep a date in Copenhagen.
You'll be back in an hour?
That's the question.
- Have fun. - Thanks. Bye.
I've booked a table at Villa Galina.
- Oh? - Near BonBonland.
- The amusement park? - Yes.
It should be quite cosy. I can't offer you anything.
Never mind.
You had a case with Kirschner?
A man who confessed to raping and killing a young woman.
- But Kirschner got him off. - How?
He was declared legally insane.
I was an expert witness. He wasn't insane.
The court believed Kirschner's two foreign experts.
Why write the threat on the daughter's photo?
He enjoys frightening Kirschner and his wife.
I think it is...
a game of submission and dominance.
So... It will stimulate him even more now the unit's here.
Nice to arouse enthusiasm.
Will you answer your phone next time I call?
- Yes, I promise. - Fine.
Næstved 07.30, Tuesday September 12
Tell him to call off the police.
Got it?
Slow down, Ingrid. Damn it.
- Was Boysen your date? - I cancelled it.
Why?
I don't know.
Tobias...
He doesn't return my calls.
He says he cut his lip in PE but that's a lie.
- Boys fight. - Not all.
They do.
Why am I not having breakfast with Gry and Tobias
and planning dinner?
We rush around in our "important" job.
And then Kirschner gets the murderer off.
He's sweet.
- What? - Boysen.
Oh, him!
He is... he is.
- And? - I don't know.
I'd like you to lose your head and just do what you like.
Stop thinking and enjoy life.
- I miss Søren. - He wants to see you happy.
Hi, IP.
Okay. Send Fischer to the hospital.
- Where are you going? - To school.
- No way. - That's not up to you.
- Yes, it is. - What's up, Cecilie?
- I'm sick of this. - Get inside.
I hate it.
- I want to see your husband. - He's inside.
- Okay if I find him myself? - Of course.
Morning.
Morning. Any news?
Pia Hansen?
Know her?
- Pia Hansen? No. - Junior solicitor, 32.
Oh, yes. That Pia... Of course I do.
She worked for us until six months ago.
- That's the only connection? - Yes. Very talented girl.
If you want my help you must help me.
She was attacked an hour ago.
The message was for you to call off the police.
How long have you been lovers?
Anne doesn't know?
You must tell her.
Stay out of this.
Damn it!
Okay. I'll pay up. I'll pay him the 5 million.
I'm against that.
That's up to me. The police can go!
- And leave this? - Stay out of my private life!
Wish I could.
I thought you might like some coffee.
Now he's going after our staff.
Look.
He's mad. She's no longer working for us.
Who's next?
My sister? My mother? I'll pay the damned 5 million.
- We can't raise that much. - Damn it, Anne, I'll fix it.
Morning.
- How is she? - Not too good.
Connection to Kirschner?
It's the classic story. But we're in luck.
She scratched him so perhaps we've got some DNA.
- I'll take that. - Good.
Call for Kirschner!
Kirschner here.
Did you get my message?
- Who... who's speaking? - It will really hurt next time.
What have I done to you?
The footbridge across the stream, right?
Cycle out there at 10 tonight with 5 million in a sports bag.
Got that?
I can't go by bike.
I've broken my leg.
I fell down the stairs this morning.
But I'll be there.
My wife will drive.
No police, do you understand? No police involved.
- He said "no police". - Yes.
It's my responsibility. The action force stays,
or the handover's not on.
Okay.
- He's clever. - Professional?
A clever amateur. The bike's a smart move.
He can get them with one shot anywhere here.
Kirschner must walk to the bridge and back. He's good.
- But you're better? - Let's see.
I'll have men there and there, in the trees,
vehicles, a chopper ready, and 15 men in the area.
We'll get him. He's not that good.
- Did you trace the call? - It's his speciality.
- He used a stolen mobile. - A transmission tower?
In Næstved.
He chose a good place.
I dare not let the handover go ahead.
He's a sniper. He can take them all along here.
Ingrid's right.
Imagine if Kirschner and his wife got killed
in a botched action by Unit One.
I'll get him before he fires.
There's another way.
Villingskov 21.55, Tuesday September 22
They're out in the open now.
I haven't congratulated you.
He needs his divorce first.
- Looking forward to it? - Yes.
- Congratulations, then. - Thanks.
Haven't you ever wanted children and that?
Yes, but children and this job...
They don't go together.
Here we are in our bulletproof vests.
Are they bulletproof? Can they stop a rifle shot?
Yes, an ordinary rifle.
But he may go for a head shot.
Okay.
They're near the bridge.
- Fine. Thanks very much. - Did they get away?
Thank God.
That thing about "the most serious charge one can face"
was well put.
What's your point?
It was concluded Bjørn didn't kill his wife.
Legally...
But what if he did?
I can live with a murderer getting off.
But not a miscarriage of justice.
And that would have been the case with Bjørn?
Aren't we getting theoretical?
What do you mean?
You're asking...
for my...
- My personal assessment? - Yes.
- I can't answer that. - I can.
You think he's guilty, but not legally speaking.
- You can't say that. - Why not?
The police tried to prove he'd killed his wife
and Unit One failed to do so.
- And... - But in reality?
Anne, you're sometimes so damned naive.
If you think he's guilty, why tell him to retract?
I never said he was guilty!
This is first-year law student stuff!
Why must you always fight?
For how long is he staying on my tail?
Cecilie!
Let's hope your stalker doesn't find a good lawyer.
Know what I think?
You're the one who's getting on our nerves.
Trine...
I can resist anything but temptation.
Okay. Bye, Trine.
- That was Trine. - Oh?
Their archives have a lot on Kirschner.
- She'll mail us. - Fine.
Perhaps we could give her the first tip?
- She makes you happy? - No.
- I'm too old for that. - Are you?
How are things at home?
It's hard.
Kirsten's trying, but...
Well done! Thanks.
- Did he turn up? - No.
Oh, damn it!
Kirschner...
Collect your money. Do you take me for a fool?
Hello?
He won't stop.
Yes?
Næstved 08.55, Wednesday September 13
Bye. Bye, Helene.
You're answering your phone now?
Kirschner had a murderer declared legally insane.
What's new?
He died six months later of an overdose.
A very big overdose.
- Morning. - Hi.
- Where did you get those? - Press archives on Kirschner.
- He's been a busy boy, eh? - This is all about Bachmann.
- We've got the lab report. - And?
His gun's clean.
- Ingrid, I'll return this one. - Okay.
- He must have heard something. - I'll go with you.
We'll enjoy our coffee, then.
We sympathise. He took you for everything.
- Not my sense of humour. - But...
You must have seen something.
Has somebody been asking about Kirschner?
A journalist turned up six months ago.
He was researching my sad life, he said.
But he was more interested in Kirschner.
I told him about Hans Henrik.
- More than I like to admit. - For example?
Habits.
- Weaknesses. - Mistresses?
Her too.
But he never wrote an article.
- What was his name? - Lars Merlov.
Forget him. He doesn't exist.
I checked.
Was this the man?
He killed y girlfriend.
- That's him. - Are you sure?
Positive, his unhappy face sticks in my mind.
- He may be your man? - Yes, perhaps.
Not that I'm keen to help Kirschner.
But he's a human being after all. Cheers.
Nut schnapps.
- Walnut schnapps. - I knew that.
Martin Steensgaard. He's about 30.
Yes. Give me the address. Bloody great.
He lives right here in town.
- Anne speaking. - It's gone up to 10 million.
- Leave us alone. - And no shit this time.
Or Cecilie will end up like Pia.
Why are you doing this?
You know what he's doing with Pia, don't you, Anne?
- With Pia? - He's fucking her, isn't he?
That's what he uses your town flat for.
But you knew that.
What's up?
Tell her.
Tell her about Pia.
- Do you have someone else? - Of course not.
Oh? Only legally speaking? It's not something real?
- How is that done? - Stop it.
- The talented Pia must know. - Stop it!
- Are you getting a divorce? - No, of course not.
That's something for us both to decide.
You can't mean that.
Get your act together, Falcon.
- Cecilie slipped out. - Oh, no.
Suspect's address 09.45, Wednesday September 13
He killed y girlfriend.
Fischer?
Fuck!
They've found Cecilie. She was with her boyfriend.
It's September 13 at 12.40.
Interrogation of Martin Steensgaard.
Charged with the murder of Allan Friman,
the assault of Pia Hansen,
and the attempted homicide of Hans Henrik,
Anne and Cecilie Kirschner.
The illegal possession of arms, assaulting an officer and theft.
Chief Inspector Ingrid Dahl present.
You're not obliged to say anything.
You found your girlfriend's body?
You witnessed Friman confessing to her rape and murder.
- And Kirschner getting him off? - Yes.
How did you feel about that?
I decided to kill him.
- And you did? - Yes.
And afterwards?
Did you know Sarah was pregnant?
No.
Kirschner suppressed that.
- Why his money? - He had to suffer.
- Why, Martin? - To get justice.
- That's a big word. - What else can I say?
When society pays Kirschner to free Sarah's murderer?
And if you hadn't spotted it was us on the bridge?
I'd have shot him and taken the money.
- You confess? - To everything.
Tomorrow I'll retract and get a good lawyer to get me off.
If I'm convicted I'll kill him when I get out.
Are you okay?
On one level I can understand why Martin went crazy.
His pregnant girlfriend was raped and killed.
Then the killer is acquitted
with the help of some very clever lawyer.
Kirschner just does his job and he's good at it.
- Poor Martin. - Poor Kirschner, I say.
He has a death threat hanging over his head.
Hi, Gry.
What's this?
- Don't be cross. - Has he been fighting again?
One of the big boys
has a dad working in the Ministry of Justice.
He said you screwed Ulf to get your job.
Ulf?
- So Tobias beat them up. - I should think so.
- Hi. - Hi, darling.
- My little mouse. - Ouch!
We'd better ask Fischer to teach you combat skills.
You're something else.
Martin Steensgaard later revoked his confession but was sentenced to 14 years, which he is serving in a top-security prison. Hans Henrik Kirschner was divorced six months later and now lives in England.