Schimanski is on a fishing holiday in an idyllic spot not far from Duisburg. There he witnesses a strange event: the veterinarian Karl-Heinz Ascher is found dead on his wedding day - hanged from a tree. Silke Faber, the bride, daughter of the richest farmer in town, is at a loss and asks Schimanski for help in solving the death.

Following an anonymous tip, Commissioner Lena Odenthal travels to the fictional Palatine village of Zarten. There, Höreth—an ethnic German repatriate from Romania—has been missing for two years; his clothing is discovered in the woods by a group of teenagers.

A bright Sunday morning - Schimanski and Thanner are having fun ice skating. During a daring maneuver, Schimanski breaks through and comes across the body of a little girl. The forensic pathologist determines that the child was raped and died of internal injuries. Since there is no missing person report, the police only manage to find the girl's mother after a few detours.

Schimanski's vacation turns into a fight for his life.