Since Lynley's arrest and suspension for threatening a suspect, Havers has been without a partner. She begins a new case in Kent alongside the heavily pregnant, no-nonsense Detective Inspector Fiona Knight. Together, they are investigating the murder of Edie Covington, whose body has been discovered in a local lake. Knight is convinced that either the woman's husband or boyfriend killed her and Havers agrees. Back in London, Lynley attends a disciplinary hearing to determine whether he can return to work. Havers is worried about him (he hasn't been returning her calls), so following the hearing she persuades him to visit the scene of the murder to lend a hand with the investigation. But, as the case unfolds with the discovery of another body and a kidnap, will Lynley's unofficial involvement in the case jeopardise his efforts to be reinstated?