Detective Chief Inspector Tom Stone had just returned from holiday and immediately found himself involved in a routine missing person inquiry. In truth, his involvement, at least initially, acted as a distraction from an establishment cover-up he'd recently discovered. But, as he got to know more about the missing person, his natural inquisitiveness began to take over. Meanwhile, Tom's personal life was suddenly taking an unexpected path. Mary, his partner, had taken a risk by contacting his son and inviting him over to the UK. Tom hadn't had any contact with Paul since his mum, after their divorce, had emigrated to Australia when Paul was just two years old. Tom hated surprises and so this had simply added to his already raised anxiety levels. He had, however, decided to take a few more days away from work, so that he and Mary could spend time with Paul and his family. It would prove to be a fatal decision.