Character Relationship Map: The Child

Characters

• Robert Stern (played by Eric Roberts) — protagonist

  A lawyer drawn into Simon Sachs’s case by his former associate Andy Borchert. After receiving a threat against Sophie, he investigates past murders with Carina Freitag and Detective Brandmann, follows...

• Andy Borchert (played by Ben Becker) — supporting

  Robert Stern’s former associate, who brings Simon Sachs to Robert for help. He joins Robert in investigating the case and helps decode an advertisement that appears to seek a child for sale, leading t...

• Simon Sachs (played by Christian Traeumer) — supporting

  A ten-year-old boy whose collapse and unusual memories draw Robert Stern into the case. His visions seem connected to events from another life and past murders. Simon recognizes a voice he believes be...

• Carina Freitag (played by Sunny Mabrey) — supporting

  An investigator who works with Robert Stern and Detective Brandmann as they follow clues linked to past murders and reincarnation. She is present during the inquiry around Dr. Tiefensee’s death and la...

• Sophie Stern (played by Yvonne Schäfer) — supporting

  Sophie is the person targeted in a threat received by Robert Stern: he is told to find a killer within 24 hours or she will suffer. This threat gives Robert an urgent personal stake in the investigati...

• Harry (played by Dieter Landuris) — supporting

  Harry is questioned by Robert Stern and Andy Borchert after they decode an advertisement that appears to seek a child for sale. He points them toward a Pinocchio party at the Bridge, and his informati...

• Mrs. Stiemer (played by Daniela Ziegler) — supporting

  Simon accuses Mrs. Stiemer and her husband of abusing children for years while hiding behind lawyers. Her role in the account is limited to this accusation; no specific action by her during Robert’s i...

• Mr. Stiemer (played by Dieter Hallervorden) — supporting

  A man confronted by Robert Stern after the investigation turns toward the exploitation of children. Simon identifies Mr. Stiemer as a child abuser and accuses him and his wife of abusing children for...

• Detective Brandmann (played by Clemens Schick) — supporting

  A detective who joins Robert Stern and Carina Freitag in investigating clues connected to past murders and the idea of reincarnation. The account places him alongside the investigators but gives no fu...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Andy Borchert → Robert Stern (Professional Former Associate) — Andy reconnects with Robert through Simon's case, drawing Robert into the investigation.

  The plot says Andy Borchert is Robert's former associate and brings Simon to him for help.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Robert Stern → Sophie Stern (Unknown Threatened Connection) — The threat uses Sophie as leverage to pressure Robert, but the plot reference does not specify their exact relationship.

  Robert receives a threat that Sophie Stern will suffer if he does not find a killer within 24 hours.

• Andy Borchert → Harry (Narrative Questioner And Informant) — Andy participates in questioning Harry to obtain leads in the investigation.

  Robert and Andy question Harry, who provides information about the Pinocchio party.

• Robert Stern → Harry (Narrative Questioner And Informant) — Harry supplies leads that redirect Robert's search toward the parties and the restaurant ship.

  Robert and Andy question Harry, who points them toward the Pinocchio party at the Bridge.

• Robert Stern → Mr. Stiemer (Conflict Investigator And Suspect) — Robert's confrontation with Mr. Stiemer is part of his effort to rescue Simon and investigate the accusations.

  Robert eventually confronts Mr. Stiemer, whom Simon identifies as a child abuser.

• Simon Sachs → Mrs. Stiemer (Conflict Accuser And Suspect) — Simon's allegation implicates Mrs. Stiemer in the suspected abuse operation.

  Simon accuses Mr. Stiemer and his wife of abusing children for years.

• Simon Sachs → Mr. Stiemer (Conflict Accuser And Suspect) — Simon's accusation makes Mr. Stiemer a central suspect in the child-abuse investigation.

  Simon identifies Mr. Stiemer as a child abuser and accuses him and his wife of abusing children for years.

• Robert Stern → Detective Brandmann (Alliance Investigative Collaborators) — Brandmann is part of the inquiry into the murders and the clues surrounding Simon.

  Robert and Carina investigate alongside Detective Brandmann.

• Robert Stern → Carina Freitag (Alliance Investigative Partners) — Carina works with Robert on the investigation, though her arrival complicates Simon's rescue and escape.

  Robert and Carina investigate together, following clues connected to past murders and reincarnation.

• Robert Stern → Simon Sachs (Narrative Investigator And Child Witness) — Robert tries to protect Simon and use the boy's memories and identifications to pursue the case.

  Andy brings Simon to Robert for help, and Robert investigates crimes connected to Simon's unusual memories.

Story Analysis

Robert follows a threatened investigation from Simon's strange memories toward suspected child exploitation, while Simon's safety remains uncertain.

Plot Progression

1. The Boy's Unusual Visions — Simon collapses and undergoes a guided exercise that produces an unusual imagined journey. His visions raise the possibility that he remembers another life, drawing Robert into the case.
2. A Deadline and a Murder Trail — Andy brings Simon to Robert, who is threatened with harm to Sophie unless he finds a killer within 24 hours. Robert, Carina, and Detective Brandmann follow clues tied to past murders and find Dr. Tief...
3. The Child-Sale Leads — Simon's recognition of a voice deepens the connection between his visions and the crimes. Robert and Andy decode an advertisement and question Harry, whose information points to a Pinocchio party at t...
4. Accusations and a Broken Rescue — Robert confronts Mr. Stiemer, and Simon accuses the Stiemers of abusing children. Robert rescues Simon, but the escape is disrupted when another man takes the boy.
5. The Le Pont Lead — The suspect's phone and Harry's information connect the case to the restaurant ship Le Pont and the Pinocchio parties. Simon's whereabouts remain uncertain as the investigation gains a new lead.