Greengrass sets out on a one-man mission when one of his oldest friends is put in the frame for a spate of burglaries at the houses of recently deceased people, forcing the old scoundrel to form an unholy alliance with Craddock to investigate and clear his friend's name. Meanwhile, Maggie comes out of maternity leave when the village is struck down with an epidemic and is forced to confront her greatest fear when her newborn son falls ill. Elsewhere, Blaketon relishes in his new role as Landlord of the Aidensfield Arms. But his plans for the pub's future rub Gina and Aunt Mary up the wrong way.