Jan Michelsen is investigating the disappearance of a young woman called Julie Vinding from a Copenhagen suburb. Six months later, Jan is the only one who believes that she is still alive. Jan finds a ten-year-old case from the same neighbourhood where a 17-year-old girl, Natasha, disappeared on her way home from a party. Jan discovers the remains of Natasha in a lake. She was murdered. Suspecting a link between the two crimes, Jan brings in an expert on serial killers, Louise Bergstein.

Jan and Louise’s investigation into Natasha’s death leads them to suspect Anders Kjeldsen, a man who has been arrested before for violent crimes including rape. Trapped in a basement, Emma tries to comfort a traumatised Julie, but soon needs comforting herself.

Jan and Louise find an unsolved murder case in Sweden that has similarities with Natasha's, although this one has an unusual signature: the victim's ring finger was cut off. Louise doesn't believe that the murder has been committed by Anders Kjeldsen. Meanwhile, on a farm that Anders Kjeldsen stayed at as a child, the police make a gruesome discovery. Stine is forced to help Anders with the women in the basement, who are planning to escape.

Louise realises that Anders Kjeldsen does not kill alone but has a partner who is the dominant of the two. In the basement, Emma tries to persuade Stine to help her to escape.

Jan and Louise find a dress belonging to Natasha – the first victim – which Anders Kjeldsen had hidden. That same night, Anders tries to kidnap another woman. Stine Velin attends her big brother Mikkel's 40th birthday party and reveals a dark family secret.