Chief Inspector George Gently takes on one last case before retiring, following the murder of his wife. The case involves the death of a young biker in the North East of England, and interests Gently as it has attracted the attention of Joe Webster -- his nemesis and the man responsible for the death of his wife. Gently enlists the aid of ambitious policeman, John Bacchus, to solve the case, but both find themselves up against enemies both within and outside the police force itself.