Kenneth Trant is from all appearances a well-respected member of the community. He is the Headmaster of a local school and is leader of his own church, The Fellowship of Souls. That is until his sister-in-law sees him making love to a 17-year old member of the congregation. She tells his wife what is going on and has photographs to prove it but the situation takes an altogether different complexion when the girl, Joanne Barnes, reveals that she is pregnant. At this point, Kenneth, his brother Michael and their wives, devise a complex plot to eliminate the girl and throw the blame on Dean Saunders, a developmentally challenged employee who works at the family’s recycling plant. The police think they have their man in Saunders but Fitz doesn't buy it and sets about identifying the true killers. On the personal side, Fitz's wife Judith has put their house up for sale and his relationship with DS Penhaligon goes a step further.