Memories of a case fifteen years before are revived for Dalziel when an eight year old girl is found murdered in a local beauty spot. Meanwhile Pascoe has other things to worry about when his daughter falls ill with meningitis.

A former nanny (Shirley Anne Field) is released after 35 years in jail, which prompts an investigation about her conviction. Dalziel attempts to clear his name.

Dalziel gets a phone call from an old flame, Stella, who needs someone to talk too as her marriage is falling apart. She had a row with her husband, Frank and he believes she is unfaithful Dalziel goes round to the pub they own and gets confronted by the husband, who has a gun from his army days. He takes Dalziel and the other people in the pub hostage.

Dalziel tries to keep everyone calm while Frank starts to crack under the stress.