The regional Crime Squad has moved from Gloucester to Di John Watt's building in Wyvern. The move does not please Watt or his detectives as it brings them directly under the eyes of their bosses. Meantime a crime has been committed by a man the Squad has every reason to believe cannot have committed it.
Three apparently unrelated facts turn out to have a fascinating connection. A former criminal, now crippled, lives like a lord but has no visible means of support. A film unit arrives in the area to make a television documentary. And a mysterious and ambiguous note arrives on John Watt's desk.
A new gambling club is due to open and already the manager has been 'invited' to pay protection money to a man from a firm that supplies fruit machines. The Squad investigate, and they don't like what they find.
Barlow's manpower diplomacy is strongly tested as Detective Superintendent Arthur Jones leads a murder hunts for only the second time in his career.
DI Watt and DC Box look into the affairs of Sammy Roach and his girl friend Josie.
Barlow and Hawkins feel that many of their problems will be solved if only they can 'find the lady'.
Stolen objects seem to be disappearing into thin air immediately after their removal from private collections. DC Dwyer has been found to have run up a large debt to a local bookie. He has to leave the force: now he's out of a job and mixing with some very dubious characters.
When Billie Greave is found injured in a factory storeroom it seems obvious to the police that he has fallen while attempting to blow a safe. Barlow is disappointed and angry, for Billie is one of his most trusted informers and has assured him that he is now going straight.
The Regional Crime Squad is on the trail of a gang of robbers.