When a tragic communication error leaves PC Nick Bentley caught in the cross-fire of armed drug-dealers with no back-up, DS Brooks and DS Devlin investigate, and following a lead to a small-time dealer, Theo Carson. However, Theo claims a second police officer was standing nearby, doing nothing, whilst his partner bled to death. James Steel and Alesha Phillips feel the case has to be pursued, but CPS Director Castle, is concerned that pursuing such a case would be institutional suicide, damaging the delicate relationship they have with uniformed police beyond repair.

When a bi-polar man living in a camper van is found beaten nearly to death with an iron bar at the centre of a well kept square, DS Brooks, DS Devlin, and DI Chandler investigate. As the cops dig deeper, they discover that Kirk tormented the residents to the extent that they were desperate to get rid of him. Everyone has a motive but no-one is talking. James Steel is determined to prove that this was a premeditated attack but Alesha Phillips and George Castle know that the jury's sympathy will lie with the law abiding perpetrator as opposed to the antisocial victim who refuses to take his medication.