But now try to explain to me,
how you're going to handle the Lena Nijs case
without election propaganda?
Do you expect the Lena Nijs case
will influence your election campaign? - We'll find her, Ms. Smidt.
Much will depend naturally on when they find her,
and how and where. And by whom.
Marianne Smidt, is she part of Reginald's family?
Yes, his daughter. - Ah.
I was hoping your daughter would give us some extra attention.
Yes, Marianne works for the Antwerp Gazette,
She doesn't run the whole thing there - Nice work.
Wow, after three days. Caps off!
We must get off our buts or be left standing in the street.
Beginner's Luck.
Did your aunt Christel call? - You didn't have time for me.
Does the 'Ace of Hearts' mean anything to you? - No.
Now who asks for a 107,000 euro ransom?
Weird. - Exactly who asks for a specific amount,
someone who needs it for something.
Is Lena with you? Those people really don't have any money.
You call yourself Ace of Hearts. Show you have a heart.
After such a call, who knows who's woken up startled?
You believe in Santa Claus.
Mayor, do you support this event.
The staff at City Hall passed the hat around.
What do you think of that? - Yes, the voters aren't stupid.
This is simply election propaganda. The voters will see it that way.
You give the wrong signal. You kidnap someone in Antwerp
there's a charity drive and get your money.
It isn't intended, he gets a single euro.
We'll observe you and if the kidnapper shows up,
we'll pick him up.
The platform has been combed. They're busy at the subway station.
We have video of track 11.
And Lena? - The station's being searched.
Come on.
Damn, huh.
He knows the station.
He just knew he couldn't be seen by the camera.
Clever.
My ex.
Hello?
We have appointment with the notary. Thursday at 15:30.
Yes, if you say so.
Do you want to leave everything for me to arrange?
Why must you still set my agenda.
But... I'm asking you.
The notary didn't have any other slot free this week.
Okay, yes. Until Thursday, right? - Okay, until Thursday. Bye.
Yes
Ludo.
Now? - Wait.
Until the kidnapper makes contact again.
The Commissioner... - The Turk.
Serter.
He said the kidnapper prepared everything very well.
Then he'll take good care of our Lenatje too?
He wanted to bother someone from victim assistance.
That says just one thing.
Our Lena is dead. - Ludo.
If I come across the bastard, I'll kill him.
Write in your newspaper he must return Lena to us.
Even if he's done something to her.
Marianne. - Marianne, Volkan here.
We have new video of track 11.
Okay, I'm coming.
We searched the station no kidnapper, no Lena Nijs.
He has the money. Why didn't he let her go?
Maybe he's waiting until he feels 100% safe.
Maybe he wants to release her on the other side of the country.
Or... - Or?
Or he's bluffing and he didn't kidnap her.
The ransom should never have been paid.
No, of course not. We tried to discourage the parents too
but we can't stop them. - I should've stopped the charity drive.
Then you'd be the mayor who didn't want
Lena to return home to her parents.
If we don't hear from Lena...
It's more than a week since she disappeared.
Statistically it reduces the chance we'll find her alive...
That's not what I want to hear.
Find her.
Still you can't say that here? - Sometimes you can't do anything else.
Thanks.
And? - Yes, I'm looking
but I'm not sure for what. - Something unusual
something that catches your eye.
What's the purpose? - Before you went to the station,
Didn't you kiss me?
Yes, I... I was stressed. - And then you kiss people?
I'm stressed now, I need to massage.
Okay.
Oh, wait, stop. Can you just rewind?
And? Something suspicious?
No. No, it's nothing. Just something for my article.
Actually I should start urgently. I have a deadline.
That kiss... I misunderstood.
No problem.
Ciao. - Ciao.
That's 33%, yes. That's 1 in 3 people in Antwerp yes...
That's fantastic, huh. - But?
But Coenen's already at 26%.
The chances are he'll improve. He's the challenger,
the underdog.
If it ends badly for the girl... - We don't know yet, Wim.
We need to stop Coenen in his tracks. That's only possible with things
people know are important to every voter.
The interview on ATV. The mayor looks back
"6 years with Van Laer", something like that. - Will ATV want to do that?
For the magic word 'exclusive'.
If ATV interviews me, they should talk to Coenen too.
They won't take sides. - I'll make sure you're on first.
Okay.
Ludo.
Yes, now we're standing in front of the property of the suspected
kidnapper of Lena Nijs.
The police just raided the house.
According to our information he's a 44 year old man,
employed at the SNCB. He's married,
but is childless. Yes, currently...
So as you can see, the suspect is now being taken away by the police
in their van. Yes, a lot of commotion by the locals of course.
All we can do at present is wait anxiously to learn
if Lena Nijs is actually present in the house.
We wait anxiously with the neighbours
and all the people who came here.
... Someone's being brought out. - They've got her.
They have her.
Is that her?
It is very difficult to say if it's Lena Nijs.
I couldn't make out so well, but it was a young lady.
I'll go to the hospital. - What? We don't even know...
Commissioner... - Commissioner...
Is that Lena Nijs? Is she okay?
Nijs. Yes.
Yes.
Yes, but...
Okay, okay, okay. Yes.
The Turk. He's coming to pick us up. - Yes.
And Lena?
Earlier you promised an interview on ATV.
I'd actually have preferred a debate. - That isn't going to happen.
All the attention of the media is on this.
Even if we arrive after Van Laer? - Sure.
Yes, that's okay. Yes, but just confirm. - Yes.
Yes?
Hi. - Good day, Veerle.
Good day, Nathalie. Everything okay? - Yes, the countdown, huh.
Yes, I suppose so.
Hi, honey. - Hello baby. How's it going?
Yes. - Goodbye, my little friend.
Come here, Baby. Are you a member of dad's slate?
Hey? Yes. We're together against those naughty...
That's you up there. - Yes I'm up there.
Yes, that's dad, huh? Huh?
Bert, I received an SMS from Wim Geens.
The mayor wants to see you. Discreet and informal.
Then we should listen discreetly and informally.
Back to Mom. - Back to Mom?
See here's Mom.
How's Lena?
People, make way.
Get back.
Mr. Nijs?
Have you spoken to Lena? Have you seen Lena?
Which hospital is Lena in?
Mr. Nijs, little reaction?
People...
People make way for the van, please.
Can I have your attention?
In consultation with the investigating judge and Chief Bulthé
I can tell you Karl Mullens admitted
he asked for 107,000 euro ransom for Lena Nijs.
He didn't kidnap Lena Nijs.
The woman in this house who was transferred to the hospital,
was his wife.
Because of her long illness and expensive medical treatment
the couple had debts of 107,000 euros.
To settle the debts Mullens pretended to be
the kidnapper. - How did the SNCB respond?
Good evening. - Commissioner?
Is that my pen? - Ah, that's, sorry.
Commissioner?
You should have told us, you recognized Mullens.
But I called you, right?
But first you started investigating yourself, wanted to play cop?
Do you realize what you've done?
Trespassing, obstruction of our investigation...
Charge me. - You don't realize
What you risked. Suppose Mullens was the kidnapper.
Suppose he caught you. - You're worried. Say so.
You don't realize what I risked by keeping quiet.
If this gets out, I'll have Internal Affairs on my back.
Then I'd get the blame. - Would it end your career?
No, but now I've got to go. - But see you make your deadline.
Faking that you were the kidnapper
to pay for your wife's operation. So romantic.
In Hollywood it'd be big box office. - What does his wife have anyway?
Liver cancer, terminal. - Another big box office.
Good story, June. Vic, good fed back on the website
and then Marianne's article: At home with the kidnapper.
That's okay, just a pity there are no pictures.
I mean ransom bag on the table, underwear on the drying rack.
Okay. - How about the parents' reaction
you quote the father, Ludo:
If I find the bastard, I'll kill him.
I'd use that as the header. - As the header?
He said that on a whim. We'll go with it now...
Did or didn't he say that?
Yes. - Then you should use it.
We don't live in a church.
Lex, there's something strange posted on our site.
Okay, check it out.
Sent anonymously to all media.
That's the poster from Antwerp Interest?
No, no. That's Lena.
Look at the website.
That's the poster hanging up in Antwerp?
Goddamn.
Ludo.
Marianne must show you something.
Are you on the track of another fake kidnapper?
Do you know about this?
How should I know? - You were for it.
I said she could do a photo shoot. That isn't the same.
Is that something Lena often did, photo shoots?
Yes, that's what she did, but this here, Ludo.
She's 14, she's a child. - In early summer
she wanted to... she wanted to register for an audition.
You know. - And then I what could I say?
An audition for Antwerp Interest?
It wasn't for this. She just had a paper with her
that we were supposed to sign.
You signed behind my back?
No, Ludo, no. I didn't sign.
Hi. - Hi.
Hey, nice scoop at Mullens'. - Ah, thanks.
If you don't know anything you can always call me.
Or for anything else, you know that.
What did he want to tell us? - Nothing.
How's it going? - Yeah, yeah. It's about to begin.
Welcome. I just knocked at the door of a house
So I'm disgusted by the way Antwerp Interest is being
defamed today.
Yes, the photo with Lena Nijs was on the original poster
of our campaign. And even on the day when our campaign started
and Lena Nijs went missing, we were planning
to display the posters all over Antwerp
but we didn't do that.
Out of respect for the family, we made a new poster
Those who'd like to capitalize
on the disappearance of Lena or such, should deal with the fact
they're guilty of defamation.
Moreover, the parents gave their permission
for the Lena Nijs photo.
Here I have the registration form of the casting agency,
and the contract for the photo.
Both signed by Sonja Nijs, Lena's mother.
Mr. Dewit, who shot Lena's picture?
That was Marnix Lutyens, our house photographer.
The photo was posted anonymously. Do you have any idea
who could have done that? - Someone from here
who wants discredit us, who's afraid we'll be successful
in the elections.
Okay, yes. Thanks, Marnix. Yes, good day.
Why the hell are they here at the office party?
You know their slogan? "The city is overrun by Islam."
Yes, then it's still the place to be.
Good, Lena's photo was shot in July
and it appears to be 100% kosher.
The question is: Who mailed that photo? Why?
Yes, why? I don't know...
A militant malcontent, someone who isn't on the slate or something.
Someone who's opposed to Antwerp Interest,
who wants to eliminate Jean Dewit.
I don't know if I want to write about it. It's such a non-event.
Then you must write about it. - Yes?
And confront the mother, Sonja.
She signed those papers.
Yes, Frederik? - Where are you?
Why? - Half past four at the notary.
Ah yes. Oh, fuck. Yes, sorry, I... I totally forgot.
No, say it isn't true. Will you stay around?
How soon can you get here? - I can't come
so a new appointment? - Yeah, okay. Perfect. Just a second.
Is there another slot free sometime?
Day after tomorrow at ten. - Day after tomorrow at ten.
I thought the notary didn't have another slot free this week.
Can you or not? Besides, it's Saturday.
You can pick up Seppe at the same time.
Yes. Okay, I'll be there. - Go there or...
Like today? - I'll be there, yes?
Yeah, okay. Until Saturday? - Yes.
Hello. - Hello.
Are you filming it or what? - For an intro for the news.
Okay. Is the mayor still up first?
Yes, first the mayor and then Coenen's reaction.
Until next week, good day. - Goddamn, kid.
Have you gone completely crazy or what? Goddamn.
Come, call the police. Call the police.
Wim, Wim, leave it. Leave it, no police. Leave it, come.
Come with me. - It's not right to do that, damn.
How is that possible? - You got it. Certainly, huh?
I thought you hadn't signed.
Ludo, that isn't my signature. My name underneath,
but that isn't my hand writing. Go on, you see that now, right?
Lena?
The question naturally remains: How do you think after six years
Can you convince the people of Antwerp? - By staying focussed
on the problems, real people of Antwerp have to face.
I think everybody says that but what are those problems?
The three issues: safety, traffic, foreigners.
The people of Antwerp should feel safe to walk the streets
any time of the day or night.
Then you've got a lot of work to do, because just before this interview
you were the victim of an attack.
Here we have the video. Come take a look with us.
Are you filming it or what? - For an intro for the news.
Is the mayor still up first? - Yes, first the mayor ...
Goddamn, kid. Have you gone completely crazy or what?
Call the police. Call the police, come. - Wim leave it. Leave it, no police.
Leave it , come. Come with me. Leave it, Wim, leave it.
Were you angry? - Blazing.
As everyone knows, I'm a baker's son. I'd never
mess up such a delicious cake and especially,
strawberry, it's my favourite fruit.
I don't get apricots thrown in my face for sure.
The essence: You introduced a headscarf ban
in the civil service. - I'm still behind that.
We continue to favour a multicultural
and tolerant society,
including diversity among the aldermen,
but tolerance works both ways.
It requires clear agreement
both in connection with rights...
Hi, Daddy.
Stay with us, because after the break
We have a guest. Bert Coenen
My pleasure. - Thank You.
Bert. Are you okay? - Peter. How's it going.
Sit down. - Thank you.
Be careful I don't sit down on your chair in the town hall.
That'll be difficult, after 6 years it's used to the shape of my backside.
Mr. Coenen. - Yes.
Good day.
Welcome back and Welcome also to Bert Coenen.
The battle for the mayor's position is between you and the mayor.
Did you plan to follow him?
Yes, definitely. I especially found his three issues very interesting.
Safety, traffic and foreigners?
I heard something else.
Over the top, predictable, outdated.
Nevertheless they are clear themes for people living in Antwerp.
They are absolute themes for all inhabitants, but I fear
if we depend on the mayor, over the next six years
we'll see very little change. Simply because in the past 6 years
Nothing changed. Today Antwerp deserves
vigorous policies. Now take traffic.
Despite all the plans and studies for a bridge and a tunnel
today we are spend longer in traffic than before.
And what do you think of the way the mayor tackled
Lena Nijs disappearance?
I'd do exactly the same.
But less passively. - Less passively?
Look. The Police still haven't found Lena Nijs.
The kidnapping was a fake, but her parents are still
at home waiting.
I'd have organized a public search long ago and I think,
I'm convinced many people in Antwerp
would flock to join in.
Yes, it doesn't seem to be such a bad idea, to me.
Thank you for coming, Bert Coenen.
Sports then. Beerschot, the players from...
Ms. Smidt? Yes, come in.
Hello. Good timing. - Yes.
Marianne Smidt, Mr. Claes, my lawyer.
Ms. Smidt. - Pleased to meet you.
Could I have a word with you for two seconds?
We're still speaking of "mutual consent"?
Yeah, right. - Why the lawyer?
But just for distribution. I thought: It'd be easier.
We sell our house, divide the proceeds in two.
Marianne, maybe you can contribute a bit to today's costs?
No.
I won't let myself be blackmailed.
Excuse me, it will have to be another time. Sorry.
Sorry, though. I'll be back shortly... Marianne?
Good day, darling.
Hi. Say, have you had a good week, baby?
Marianne, will you please be reasonable?
Like Seppe normally waits in the car?
What should I do? Bring him inside?
Or leave him alone at home like you do.
Okay, Seppe. Get in the car. - Come on, baby.
Okay, sorry. Maybe I should have warned you in advance
Perhaps, yes.
And? Have you already packed up for Geneva, Seppe?
I want to stay in Ghent.
And do you want to stay in Antwerp a bit?
Yeah, right. There's everything to do there. - I amuse myself okay.
Cinema, theatre, cafés. - Yes, you didn't have those in Ghent.
Say, what's up with Antwerp Interest?
As I write 'various things'. - That's a neck-in-neck race,
you can expect those stunts.
Since when are you interested in Antwerp politics?
I am committed to all politics.
Fortunately, there are other parties.
You're not exactly starting on about CDU.
My party, party clean.
Say, you wouldn't join in with Rita Poelemans?
You know her already? - Yes.
I thought we were in for some quality time here.
We're enjoying it? Hey, Seppe?
Yes, grandpa.
Is it a little bit okay?
Marianne Smidt. - Wim Geens here.
Can we see each other this afternoon?
Hi. - Hi.
You've come about your policy.
We normally aren't open on Saturdays, I can just get it.
No, I...
Yes, it's a little weird, Anouk.
But I have an urgent appointment for the "Gazette".
I don't know anyone in Antwerp and...
Would you mind to taking care of Seppe?
Yes...
Seppe, are you okay there?
Then that's okay, huh. - Thanks.
No problem.
That seems "various things", but you've got a bomb on your hands.
Want to know why Jean Dewit was silent about Lena Nijs' photo,
Go to Dorothee Schauwkens - She's Jean Dewit's girlfriend.
She cast Lena. - Check her out.
Keep in time, girls.
Don't lose energy. Feet off the ground, Axelle.
You cast Lena Nijs for the original poster.
Together with the photographer. It's the first time, I was also
to appear on the poster. Jean didn't like it
But Marnix insisted... You too?
No, thank you. How do you know Lena?
She attended a summer dance workshop here. Such a beautiful girl.
She wanted to be a model, but who doesn't at that age?
Marnix insisted we both appear on the poster because he felt
we resembled each other. Same shape of face, same hair.
Wasn't it a problem that her parents didn't give permission?
I read she forged the signature,
But I knew nothing about that. Nor did Marnix and Jean certainly not.
What's your relationship with Jean Dewit?
We've been good friends.
Friends? - No, more...
Soul mates.
Really nothing? I've got everything. - No.
Okay.
I'll wait for you. - Yes.
Mr. Coenen. - How's it going?
Yes.
The Antwerp Interest has withdrawn the poster
because Lena appeared on it, but also because Jean Dewit
didn’t want his affair with Dorothee Schauwkens, who cast Lena,
to come to light.
Theo, that doesn't interest you at all. It's still a scoop?
Half of Antwerp already has known for years about him and Dorothee Dewit
and the other half suspects.
As long as it has no direct impact on the political agenda,
let it rest. Yes, we're not a tabloid.
So we just keep silent about it?
Okay.
Do you remember, the Prime Minister's racy text messages?
The umpteenth daughter of the king? Those aldermen with a drinking problem?
I mention no names. Ah well, whenever such an affair comes to notice...
If it comes out, it's first picked up by the tabloids
and only later by us. Yes? If.
If, if we don't want to tarnish the politician concerned. Yeah, okay.
With your father we even waited until he was out of the government.
Come on, Marianne. Someone wants to use you as a stooge.
You realize that right? Wait, wait.
You got the tip?
Is it because I'm new, huh? Or are you just jealous
I'm writing about Lena Nijs? - What are you talking about?
Don't be silly. You didn't just do it for me.
I'm not talking to you? It depends how you look at it, huh.
I could've let you write it and submit it to Lex
to put you down in front of the entire editorial department,
with everyone there, with all the trimmings, all the bells and whistles.
Listen to me. Van Laer will make an appeal tomorrow afternoon
to organize a search at various locations in Antwerp:
the Rivierenhof the harbour, the docks,
Noordkasteel, Sint-Annabos. - He picked up Coenen's idea.
Yes and no. Of course, he says he's implementing the idea.
It's all how you look at it. - Yes.
I want everyone involved in the case busy at tomorrow's event
and few people on standby and the editors, okay?
Yeah, okay. Until tomorrow then. - Yes.
Tomorrow. - Tomorrow.
Theo?
How long has Marianne worked here already?
A good week.
Or two.
He finds that amusing.
Caps off for the search idea.
Expertly drawn to your attention. - What should I do?
Put me in the shit by a supposedly anonymous source
also to donate 3,000 euro at the benefit.
Will they be found out here?
All that sneaking around, I can't stand it anymore.
Do you have a better plan? - I can't sleep
It's best for both of them.
And "the city". You know that too, huh?
It'll be okay.
Good day, huh. - Yes.
33 and 26.
That's 59%, even in terms of seats that's large majority.
If we work together after the elections, Bert,
we mustn't attract any attention from the opposition.
You're 7% ahead.
And we still have six weeks to go before, October 14.
Why do you already have a coalition?
Another 6 years of compromises blocked by 3 or 4 small parties...
No, I'll give it a pass. - The numbers may change.
The probability we'll get under 50% together,
is very small. Right?
And if we win?
The winner becomes the mayor,
and the other become alderman for the port.
Purely hypothetical: What do you see us doing together in the next six years
For Antwerp?
Ready?
I am, but he...
You're not coming? - I haven't lost anything.
First all the people donated their money and now they're helping us search.
And what do you do? Nothing. - Did I ask these people for anything?
Ludo, all your colleagues at the diamond centre will be there.
Come on. I need you. - To find what?
Hey? Do you realize what you're looking for?
Immediately we'll form a chain.
It's important you keep the distance of about a meter
between the persons to your left and right.
If you find something, don't do anything. It's important for the children too:
If you find anything, when in doubt, call an officer immediately.
Good, stay in a line. Don't leave too much space in between.
Keep in line, behind too.
Don't break the chain
Walk on at a leisurely pace.