When a tramp is found with massive head wounds close to the property of wealthy retired carpet tycoon Frank Brownhills, the police have no reason to suspect him or his glamorous ex-model wife of involvement. But when they find a trail of blood leading into the garden and Carron Brownhills goes missing, the investigation starts to assume larger dimensions. As detectives Pat O'Donnell and Alex Paterson piece together a story of murder, rape, blackmail and revenge each man is pursued by his own private demons. For both have guilty secrets which threaten to overwhelm them before their investigation is completed.