Paige is called to the police station to examine a teenager who has been hurt during a fight. When the young man accuses him of sexual assault, the police surgeon finds himself hauled before an investigation board.

Gillian Cramer 's ex-husband, CID officer David Moore, asks her to put in a good word for him with Warwickshire police, who are carrying out an internal investigation into irregularities in his force. She uncovers disturbing information and asks Jonathan Paige for advice.