What is the connection between an unidentifiable corpse found drowned in the canal with a two year old AK47 bullet lodged in its spine and the murder of a wealthy and successful businessman who has just returned from Russia with a new order and bride to be? This is the mystery that Dalziel and Pascoe must solve if they are to discover the murderer before Dalziel is moved sideways onto a desk job to make way for "new blood". The strange thing about the case is that nobody seems particularly upset about the death of the businessman. As they probe deeper into the case all sorts of jealousies, money problems and family conflicts are exposed. Also, the factory staff are trying desperately to conceal various wrongdoings from the police. Eventually, the murder weapon is discovered and a suspect confesses to the crime but are they the real murderer?