Land-grabbers are convincing natives to sell their houses in order to erect a tourist venue. Bailey warns them of the oncoming jeopardy, but they don't pay attention. Not far from Bailey's base is the so-called "tree-house". On the brick-built ruins of a Gothic chapel, a tree towers 40 feet or more above what were once the eaves. When a surveyor tries to map the region, Bailey investigates.

Bailey receives a letter from his long-time friend, Susan Dempster, investigating on the whereabouts of her husband and asking Bailey, at the same time, to fly her along with her small daughter, Jennifer, to Saibai. Bailey is quite busy transporting artwork to Singapore for an art exhibition. Nick and Hashan suggest that Bailey take some of the sculptures made by "The Otterman," who lives in the north of the island.