It's a busy day on the station front desk, and P.C. Smith fails to notice that someone has left a hold-all next to the desk. When it is discovered, Insp. Frazer orders the station evacuated as a safety measure while the bomb squad is called in. Sgt. Cryer and W.P.C. Martella have trouble getting a violent female prisoner into and out of her cell. D.C. Dashwood winds Smith up about not noticing the bag, and he conducts an interview with a suspect in a car. P.C. Edwards is acting oddly, arguing with W.P.C. Ackland and he keeps returning to the station looking for something. SO13 find an incendiary device in the bag, but it explodes, blinding an SO13 officer.

Jim Carver wakes up to find himself in bed lying next to the dead body of Clare Sullivan, an aged prostitute. He is utterly distraught, and, not knowing what to do, he takes JohnJo's clothes and leaves the scene.

Vicky Hagen and Reg Hollis discover the body while searching for Jim. Jim's warrant card is found at the scene, and Jim's tie is around Clare's neck. Ex-Sun Hill DCI Frank Burnside is assigned to the case - something he does not relish as he is also Jim Carver's best friend.

Jim meanwhile, is suicidal, considering throwing himself in the Thames, and then falling at the knees of a priest, confessing to his ""crime"".

Eventually he finds himself eating a discarded pizza from a skip. He takes a swig from a bottle of wine, then catches a glimpse of his reflection. He regards his reflection for a moment, shaking his head - then tips the rest of the wine away.

Frank eventually locates Jim at a hostel. He is arrested on suspicion of murder and taken back to Sun Hill.