Tommy James, whose business is tractors, lorries and trucks, is a very prominent member of the close-knit community as are his friends; local publican Dic Rees and garage owner Gwilym Morgan. Naturally wary of strangers, the trio offer Mathias no obvious leads, but when the body is revealed to be ex teacher and traveller Michael Reynolds, whom everyone in the village seems to have had an affection for, tongues start to loosen.

Mathias, struggling with his own demons from the past, becomes more emotionally connected to the case than is wise, a fact not missed by Mared and Chief Super Prosser. With professional and personal loyalties pushed to the limit, Mathias finds himself on an emotional knife-edge.