 De Cock and his team investigate the bizarre death of a fencer who died when his opponent s foil broke and penetrated his neck. The foil was probably sabotaged, and the opponent denies he deliberately stabbed him. Buitendam, an old friend of the two involved families, agrees. De Cock discovers an extra-marital affair and a near-perfect set-up, and Buitendam thinks he and the dead fencer s wife may have a child together from when they were together 30 years ago.