Summary The discovery of the body of physics professor Franziska Ernhardt leads investigators Nele Fehrenbach and Paul Schott to the University of Konstanz. Was the scientist the victim of a relationship dispute? Her affair with student Dirk Abmeyer, who is actually in a relationship with her young colleague Lenka Kurilova, suggests this. But both deny the crime. A break-in at Franziska's office leads the investigation in a new direction: the murdered woman was apparently gathering information that proves corruption on the part of the dean of the faculty, Luca Romero. Had Ernhardt blackmailed him with her knowledge in order to succeed him in his position? And how does the Austrian guest lecturer Hannah Havas fit into this picture? Romano had personally appointed her and wooed her at the university's expense. But then a 2000-year-old ring is found in the murdered woman's stomach. Had the professor swallowed the piece of jewelry as a message to the investigators? The officers soon become specialists in archaeology and find an exciting lead. But the new knowledge doesn't help them much. First, they are surprised by a hostage situation. The police must prevent the suspects from escaping at all costs.

• Crime