Marie Brand und das mörderische Vergessen (2009)

Their latest case takes Detectives Brand and Simmel straight to the pathology department of Cologne University Hospital. Neuropathologist Dr. Jens Bergengrün is found dead there by his secretary, Nicola May. Although there are no signs of foul play, Detective Marie Brand finds evidence of poisoning. Someone very likely poisoned his coffee. Nicola May’s conspicuous haste to leave the scene makes her the first person to come under suspicion. Simmel, however, is certain that the likable young woman had nothing to do with her boss’s death. He likes her and even begins an emotional relationship with her. Professor Jacobsen tells Marie Brand that he and Bergengrün had worked together on a research study about dementia. She immediately makes use of this in her personal life, since she suspects that something is wrong with her husband. After the victim is autopsied, Brand’s suspicions are confirmed. The killer evidently knew about Bergengrün’s nut allergy and exploited it to achieve their aim. The two detectives learn from Police Chief Engler that Bergengrün had previously worked in forensic medicine and, because of his alcohol addiction at the time, had produced faulty expert reports. As a result, innocent people may have been sent to prison. One of those convicted was Steffen Schmieder, who was released only recently. Schmieder is questioned but denies having anything to do with Bergengrün’s death. Marie Brand finds it suspicious that Professor Jacobsen hired Bergengrün despite knowing about his alcohol problem. Perhaps he wanted to have leverage over Bergengrün. She also discovers that Jacobsen’s wife had an affair with Bergengrün, which could have provided a motive for a crime of jealousy. But none of it quite adds up. Nicola May, too, repeatedly arouses suspicion with contradictory statements, and Steffen Schmieder gave the police a false alibi, keeping him among the suspects. Even so, suspicion of Professor Jacobsen grows. He had rashly treated patients using his newly developed surgical method, and they had all died shortly afterward. Bergengrün had noticed this, so Jacobsen silenced him. When Marie Brand confronts him about it, he freely admits it and is arrested. The absent-mindedness Marie’s husband had been displaying lately was not caused by a neurological illness, as Marie had assumed, but by his being in love. A month ago, he met someone and is now considering leaving Marie.