Max Fischer's death hit Chief Commissioner Kerstin Klar and Chief Prosecutor Bernd Reuther hard. They receive support for their next case from Commissioner Julia Schröder. Sawmill owner Ludger Habold is found dead under a tree trunk. But Dr. Engel finds traces that indicate a daily discussion. It is suspected that the sawn tree should fake an accident. Sven Habold, the victim's adoptive son, is in the third year of training as a forester. His relationship with the victim was not the best. Both had different ideas about Sven's professional future. The investigation shows that the dead man operated the sawmill together with his wife Maria Habold.
And apparently there were disagreements between the spouses over an exclusive supply contract for their sawmill with forest owner Hedi Malthus. The latter, in turn, is arguing with her son Uwe Malthus and his partner Carla Löffler about the way their forest is managed. In the further investigation, Bernd Reuther, Kerstin Klar and Julia Schröder encounter numerous inconsistencies. To solve the complex case, Reuthers excellent combination skills are required once again.