Our Lena's missing.
The day before she left around seven o'clock.
My husband, Ludo, saw her ride off on her bike. That's two days ago
and she isn't back yet. - Did you report it to the police?
They sent me to a Turk who asked a few questions
Good afternoon. - Good afternoon.
The first time she didn't say she was sleeping at a girlfriend's.
The second time she went to Werchter. Her parents knew nothing again.
Punctuality is one of my strengths. Was that just a joke?
There was an accident on the ring road. Certainly I can have ...
That isn't anything new.
Yes, lying in bed with her boyfriend. - She's fourteen years old.
Yes, and?
Do you know if Lena has a boyfriend? - No. If she had a boyfriend,
Then she'd certainly have told me. She's my best friend.
Good day, Mom.
Marianne, I called you 10 times. I was bringing Seppe.
I'd still love to
check a few things to ensure there's certainly no story.
On one condition: leave your new assistant at home tomorrow, okay?
Mom.
What are you starting to look for now? A corpse?
We assured the parents everything will be done
to find Lena as soon as possible. I hope and expect
no one's playing political games.
A visit to the parents' home?
No. No, everyone would view it as a political manoeuvre
and they'd be right too.
Marianne was right. We have our first scoop.
Does Lena have a boyfriend? - Yes, Staff.
Do you know where he lives? - Somewhere in Ekeren.
I got a tip about Lena.
Hi, Cato.
What?
My dad?
Get dressed.
Lena Nijs?
Sophie Vanwinkel? Yes. And Staff deRuiter?
Keep me informed. Yes.
False alarm? - Probably.
Volkan will interrogate the guy. Wait.
I hope they find her soon. - Me too.
Yes, if they don't...
After a few weeks it'll disappear from the news.
Don't say that, if someone hears.
I heard something in the car at half past nine.
Good morning. In the case of the disappearance of Lena Nijs ...
A suspect was arrested last night. A young man of nineteen
from Ekeren, Lena's ex-boyfriend.
The prosecutor will make a statement later this morning.
I thought: If you want to stay by your wife, take some leave.
And our meeting at the Diamond Market? - I'll take care of it myself.
Approved. - Thank you.
Heard the news?
If they don't find Lena Nijs, I'm afraid, Van Laer's got a problem.
Only if we play the man and we won't. Right?
Yes, everyone looks to the police and Van Laer's the boss of the police.
Here. A lot happened we shouldn't do, I'm afraid.
Johan De Keersmaeker, ATV. - ATV?
Marianne Smidt of the "Gazette" .
The "Gazette".
And I've heard of "The Ghent". - Yes, no one's perfect.
Wait.
Here. If you ever want a tour, you can always call me.
Thanks. - I wouldn't wait too long,
because I don't know how long I'll still work there.
Yes, a few things in the pipeline at Flemish TV.
Ah. - Sorry.
Sorry. Johan.
A few things in the pipeline at Flemish TV.
Yes. - He's said that for years.
That's his way of getting women, I think.
Yes, I'm afraid this guy sleeps a lot alone.
Coffee? - Don't drink it here.
But around the corner.
A nineteen year old guy?
I didn't know our Lenatje had a boyfriend.
Yes, Seppe? - Where are you?
I'm working, baby. - But I'm hungry.
Look in the fridge. - Some yoghurt and a kiwi.
Eat that. - But I feel like croissants.
Yes, croissants. Then you have to go to the bakery.
Can I take some money out of your piggy bank?
No, no.
Look in the drawer next to the stove. There must be some there.
Do you like it?
Oh, wait, sweetie. I have to... Wait.
Staff deRuiter? Marianne Smidt, Antwerp Gazette.
I had nothing to do with Lena. - If you want, I'll take you home.
I'll take the bus.
Okay, we'll meet you at your house.
The girl at your home, Who was she?
Sophie or something. - Or something?
Met at Café d'Anvers.
My parents are on holiday.
And Lena? - What about Lena?
Are you still going out together? - Lena's a child.
She doesn't want, she doesn't dare. I deleted her last week.
Deleted? - Yes, I broke it off.
I've nothing more to do with her.
Fuck.
Motherfucker, what did you do to her?
Ludo.
Fuck.
What will happen to Ludo? - Staff won't make a complaint. You?
No.
Two coffees and a gin for the young lady. - Thank you.
Then Staff had nothing to do with her disappearance?
I can't comment on a pending case.
People have the right to information. - Yes.
Okay, off the record? Sorry if I came across a bit arrogant...
we aren't used to that here.
Staff has an alibi. The night Lena disappeared,
he was with his friends in Ostend. Anything else, Ms. Smidt?
Marianne. Yes, have you checked already, if Lena called anyone?
Or did anyone call her, before she disappeared?
That's going a bit too far. - Secrets of the investigation?
Sorry, Commissioner. - Volkan.
Just a second?
Good day, baby. Found the baker? - Yes. When are you coming home?
Can't say, baby. I have to go straight to the editor
but you still have to wait a bit. Okay?
Seppe?
Volkan Serter's a career beast.
Normally he keeps silent. How did you get him to talk?
I don't know, Volkan Serter, who's that?
I quoted an anonymous source in the police.
On the website and in the morning on page one. Well done.
My, after three days. Caps off!
Yes, get off our but, or we'll still be standing in the street.
Beginners' Luck.
What are you doing?
Who's there now? That's weird.
Did you call Aunt Christel to come get you?
He says he's just sitting here. I called Frederik, it's okay by him.
if he stays with me until he's back from Geneva.
Yes... - You didn't have time for me.
It isn't that... darling. Yes, I just have a lot of work, it's...
Okay, then have a good week.
Sorry, Marianne. - No, that's no problem.
Bye, huh. - Bye.
Does 'Ace of Hearts' mean anything to you?
No. - No.
107,000 euros, where can we get that?
Why did he send it to you? - He reacted to my article.
My email address is listed there in the newspaper.
107,000 euros.
What?
She's alive.
A kidnapping, fuck. Seven weeks before the election.
Do you know where it was sent from? - From a PC in the library.
We've checked the IP address. - Anyone can use it.
It's anonymous. - We'll screen the surveillance tapes.
For now nothing suspicious.
'Ace of Hearts', you don't believe it.
Now who asks for a 107,000 euro ransom?
Do the parents have debts? - No, the house is paid off.
No past gambling, no money borrowed from the wrong people.
I don't get it. Why abduct a child of working people?
Why not someone who has money?
And another thing, Commissioner.
This new reporter on the "Gazette"... - Marianne Schmidt?
Daughter of, huh.
Good contact with her?
Normal. She's the parents' confidante.
I assume your employees are familiar with the term 'discretion'.
Yes, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you, Commissioner.
We better put the kidnapping on the council's agenda.
Otherwise the opposition will.
From now on, we'll monitor all calls
and there'll always be one of us in the neighbourhood.
If you get him on-line, take your time.
The longer the conversation, the better chance we'll track him.
And what if it's some idiot or other who knows nothing about Lena?
Maybe, but we can't take the risk.
They know what they're doing.
Ouch.
Sorry.
107,000 euros? That's weird.
Who asks for such a specific amount, someone who needs it for something.
Make sure you're available for the City Council.
They'll discuss that behind closed doors. It can't be otherwise.
Then, I want a report and interviews with Van Laer and Coenen.
You know who's who on city council?
Yes... Anyway, I know the mayor, Coenen...
The CDU councillor, what's her name? - Poelemans.
Lex? ATV's doing a special edition.
We don't have 107,000 euros.
But we'll pay everything we have.
We only ask one thing:
Let Lena come back home.
You call yourself Ace of Hearts. Demonstrate you have a heart.
Let our pretty girl go.
This is emotional... - Johan did it well.
I thought you were their confidante.
This poignant and honest message touches us all
What are you doing, tell me. - Ouch
Did I step on your toe? - How did you get to them?
That's how long the call lasted
What did you advise them - Excuse me, they called me
Look, I know Mrs. Nijs. contacted you first,
but you mustn't feel passed over.
So a call to TV news can only work in their favour
107,000 euros after such a call, who knows who's woken up.
You still believe in Santa Claus - I don't
but politicians, just before the elections, they probably do.
Sorry, I've got something else to do.
In our savings there's 46,000 euros. - My redundancy gratuity from Opel.
That's to pay for Lena's studies and for us, for later.
The only thing we can sell is this house.
And then you say we shouldn't have done the appeal.
I'll do anything to get Lena back.
Dear colleagues, imagine briefly: You're in Hoboken.
You're waiting for the bus and it starts to rain.
Then in Hoboken there are two possibilities:
You don't stand in the bus shelter and you get wet.
Or you stand in a bus helter and you get wet as well.
For six years we waited in Hoboken for new bus shelters.
By coincidence, Mr. Mayor,
that's exactly the same time you've been seated here.
Thank you again, Mr. Dewit, for your enlightening contribution.
You'd leave the same record after 6 years as well.
As on previous occasions, I'd like to remind you
the bus shelters, even in Hoboken,
aren't owned by the city, but...
Doing your homework? - Jean Dewit, Antwerp Interest.
Mr. Mayor, may I then ask you to hassle that company
to restore the bus shelters? Thank you.
That was done long ago, Mr. Dewit.
Well, I hereby consider agenda item 242 as closed.
Agenda item 243:
The abduction of Lena Nijs was added to the agenda
and will be discussed in closed session.
Come on, let's go. It's over. - Really?
Didn't I tell you?
But now try to explain to me
while there's a media circus on TV and in the newspapers,
how the Lena Nijs case,
can be addressed without making electoral propaganda?
Mr. Coenen, I think your insinuations are below the belt.
For me the only thing that counts is Lena Nijs gets back to her parents
and that should be the only thing that counts to anyone here.
Does that mean the city of Antwerp is going to pay the ransom?
That's been excluded, Ms. Poelemans. There can be, and there will be
no public money involved.
Mr. Mayor, what do you think about a donation to the parents?
Yes, Mr. Hanegreefs. If we want to see weekly kidnappings from now on.
we must do that.
Look, there are initiatives underway to collect for the ransom.
We can support such a move and everybody can decide for themselves.
We might start by passing the hat
around to everyone sitting here.
Ah, so you're working late. - You too, right?
I have to brief the big chief. - About Lena Nijs?
Among other things. Say...
I don't like "an anonymous source in the police".
I also didn't like your rules, but what can you do about it?
End of session. Until next time.
I'm going to write my article. - And those interviews?
I got you an appointment with Van Laer
and with Coenen. - For me?
For you, yes. - Ah, when?
With Coenen in a half-hour at "The 7 Chess Pieces"
and with the mayor now.
Good? - Yeah, all right. Thanks.
Don't thank me, thank Lex. It was his idea.
The daughter of Reginald Smidt the great strategist of the CDU.
My father is retired.
Retired and Secretary of State?
Those are the politicians with the most power.
I met your father a few years ago to eat bouillabaisse in Ghent
somewhere near Sint-Jacobs.
At Reginald's request we went to a restaurant.
Where he knew the patron.
I was sick for a week after that. A bad mussel.
Can we get on with it? - Sit down.
Okay. - You want to ask some questions?
You know a lot, huh? Even things normally only the police know.
Okay.
Mr. Mayor, do you expect the Lena Nijs case
is going to influence your campaign?
No. Why?
The people expect the police and therefore the mayor
to solve such things. Can you do it?
I try.
We will find Lena Nijs, Ms. Smidt.
I guarantee you. - Okay.
But now the first election polls are being published...
By the "Gazette", huh. - Yes.
Conducted by a independent researcher.
Now imagine you'd lose supporters
because of your approach to Lena Nijs case, would you...
Change course? No.
A poll seven weeks before the election is just a lottery.
We have a very clear program
a good plan for Antwerp and on 14 October we'll leave it
to the voters and that's all. - Well, now you seem very...
I still have an urgent meeting. I am very sorry.
Okay.
Okay, thank you. - You're welcome.
And say hello to your dad.
Okay, bye. - Good day.
But how does it feel to be the major's challenger?
I'm not. - You are a candidate for mayor?
Yes, but that isn't the same. Look, if, and I definitely say
'if', we win the elections,
then it won't be because I'm challenging the mayor,
but because we have a better program.
According to the mayor, the disappearance of Lena Nijs
won't influence the voters. What do you think?
Naturally. Much will depend when she's found.
And how and where.
And by whom.
Good.
Regards to your father. - Ah.
Yes, I still have an appointment, sorry. - Ah, okay. Thank you for the interview.
Good day. - Goodbye.
Reginald Smidt. - Yes.
That old crocodile. - Yes.
Beware, he still has all his teeth.
The questions to Van Laer and Coenen... - Thanks for letting me interview them.
They should be more concrete in the future,
otherwise they just speak in generalities, okay?
You don't think they're good? - Yes, not so bad,
but could be better. - But Van Laer guarantees
they are going to find... Lena - What else could he say?
I'd say it was too early.
Many comments on the website.
Also events to raise the ransom.
Something stands out? - Yes, Sonja Nijs' colleagues
at the zoo organized a barbecue tomorrow
along with a number of former Opel employees
former colleagues of Sonja. - That's weepy but beautiful.
Will you cover that? - Marianne Schmidt?
Is Lena with you?
Those people really have no money. Is Lena with you?
Yes, prove it. I won't do anything until you prove it...
Yes?
What will you do now? - Until we know
where and when he wants to get the ransom...
There's nothing we can do.
Everyone is on standby, Madam, the federal police too,
also the Special Intervention Squad.
Can we agree provisionally you won't talk to other media?
That could only make the kidnapper nervous.
We'll keep you informed ... Robbie?
Thank you.
If you answer that, I'll ask to tap your phone.
Go ahead, I've nothing to hide. - Work, private, relationships?
The spiciest item is an ex husband who roamed and a son who's angry at me.
So we shouldn't write anything about the phone call,
but afterwards we'll be the first. - If it succeeds,
because that amount, 107,000 euro... - A prankster?
A prankster? I don't think so. Ludo and Sonja wouldn't do such a thing?
No idea. A prankster is news. Come on.
He called Marianne Schmidt with a Pay & Go card.
Through the cell tower at the University Hospital. - In Edegem?
We don't know anymore.
Are there any comments on the APB?
A few hundred, Lena's been seen just about everywhere:
'T Zuid, Borgerhout, Zurenborg, Rivierenhof.
We'll go after what's relevant. - If the abductor calls Ms. Smidt...
Then we'll hear from the phone tap. - She makes an appointment
and we'll pick him up. - Okay.
Oh, Dad.
So cool, own pink. - The other...
Did you take a collection. Where do all the pennies come from?
From the staff of AF Diamond, the colleagues all donated together
and we held a fund-raiser at the diamond market.
That's fantastic. Thank you.
Thank you.
Ah, hi. Marianne? - Anouk?
Yes, yes. Seppe isn't here? - No, he's with his dad in Ghent.
Co-parenting. - Yes, for now.
They'll move in about 6 weeks to Switzerland.
Wow, did you see that coming? - Frederik's going to work there.
Go on. Ah, by the way. Your insurance policy's ready,
so if you have time, then drop by for a signature.
I will. - Okay, see you soon.
Yes, bye.
Yes, yes. - Go, go.
It's my fault.
Because you were the last one to see her?
No, Ludo.
Lena. Lena, where are you going? Lena, say something.
Lena, huh.
Lena.
Go on, cheers.
Now come along.
No.
Ludo, those are my colleagues. They did it specially for us.
Thanks. - Please.
Oh, pardon. Sorry, huh.
Mr. Mayor, you support this action.
I'm here for 2 reasons. First to congratulate the organizers
It's a fine example of solidarity,
Food for thought for the cultural pessimists. And secondly,
I'm here as a donator. The staff at city hall
passed the hat. - Just a moment.
Where are Mr. and Mrs. Nijs? - They're not there yet.
And what's the total? - It's 3,000 euros.
That's great.
Hold still. That's not all. - No, I see two more folders here.
The Rotary of Metropolitan Antwerp have also donated 1,000 euros.
Incredibly generous.
And one last contribution. - We have the Soroptimists
They've done the same. Here's another 1,000 euros.
Fantastic.
Thank you. Good day.
Good day.
How much? Three. Okay, thanks.
Van Laer gave 3,000 from the staff. What do we do?
Good day, Reginald. - Ah, Rita.
Sorry I'm a little late but first I had to go to that barbecue.
A nice affair there in Antwerp. - No gift for Van Laer.
Perhaps it's one for you. - The last thing the CDU wants
is to attract votes on the back of a missing child.
Evidently, but imagine if the affair ends badly,
you don't think Coenen's waiting to exploit it?
We've been in a coalition for 6 years and worked hard
and now it's just round the corner for Coenen and Van Laer.
We'll get our story not lose it.
I had hoped your daughter would give us some extra attention.
Yes, Marianne works for the "Gazette", she doesn't run the whole thing here.
I'll see what I can do.
30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 75.
Please.
Yes, thank you. - Bye, huh. Good day.
Nine entries and exits, three car parks,
and of course the ring or the highway as an escape route.
The outdoor theatre. - That's a smaller area,
but still a lot of entries and exits. Well, easy to control.
Call the federal police and the SIS. Tomorrow for an eight o'clock briefing.
A lot of trouble for a prankster. - It could be a false alarm.
We have no evidence Lena's still alive,
not even that he holds her prisoner, and he won't say in advance
where and when he wants the money. Clever isn't he.
Okay. What do we do?
Tomorrow you go to Rivierenhof at 14:00. We'll observe you
and if the kidnapper shows up, we'll get him.
What if he sees I don't have 107,000 euros with me?
It's not intended he gets a single euro. If I post
on Twitter and Facebook the money's not a problem, he may believe it.
Good evening. This is from the diamond market and the zoo,
3.000 from the mayor and 3.000 from an anonymous donor.
And the rest is from us and the whole city. Altogether 60.158 euros.
Please. - Please, yes.
Mr. Nijs, how do you react to this now?
Ma'am, would you like to say something
to the kidnapper of your daughter?
I maintain it isn't a good idea to pay the money.
Suppose the kidnapper then asks for more, he's blackmailing you.
Yes, we'll take that risk. Hey, Ludo?
With all due respect, you're sending the wrong signal.
If you kidnap someone in Antwerp, there's a benefit, you'll get the money.
Do you have a daughter?
No, huh? Because then you wouldn't be such a fool.
Sorry, sorry -
Do you think it'll be okay? - We'll do our best
But the kidnapper has never given us proof...
your daughter's with him. We have to wait
Yes - She may be dead, that's what he means.
Ludo, why do you say that now - Because he doesn't dare.
That hasn't got anything to do with it.
We just don't know
Okay
See you later.
Marianne, the Commissioner's coming at 13:00. Kindly
sit down, please.
Yes, guys. The results of the survey...
DPP, Mayor Van Laer's slate: 33%.
VDU, Bert Coenen's slate: 26%.
And Antwerp Interest drops to 9%.
Then the election doesn't hinge on the danger of the extreme right
like six years ago. - The question is: What then?
Email that to all the parties and ask for their response. Good?
Mayor Van Laer gave 3,000 euro. What do you think of that?
Yes, the voters aren't stupid. It's blatant election propaganda.
The voters recognize what's right, I think.
Actually you say the mayor's gone over the line.
What I'm saying is the mayor is the head of the police.
What kind of a signal do you send when you pay a kidnapper?
From reliable sources we learned you donated as well,
They say, you personally gave 3,000 euros anonymously.
Look, if the well-informed source reveals himself,
I'll be happy to respond. - Okay, thank you, Mr. Coenen.
You hear...
Hypocrite. He leaked that himself. So transparent.
That money is the least of my worries.
The poll in the "Gazette"?
What's this for? - We don't take any chances.
And your colleague is there too? - Yes, Robbie's coordinating it.
Rivierenhof is guarded by 40 plainclothes officers.
I have a SIS team on standby
and we'll have cameras everywhere. - Okay.
If Lena is with him, you give him the money and depart with her.
And once you're safe we'll pick him up.
It's time. - Yes. Okay.
Marianne?
Be careful.
But what do we do now?
Damn.
Marianne, pick up.
Track 11.