Ha habido un robo en la oficina del consejo del condado. Al principio parece que solo se llevaron dinero en efectivo de poca cuantía, pero luego se descubre que falta un expediente de adopción. Cuando el niño de ese expediente es secuestrado, las sospechas recaen sobre la madre biológica, Sandie Eliot. ¡Pero resulta que el niño secuestrado no es suyo! Greengrass informa de un asesinato. Uno de sus palomas mensajeras ha sido matado por un halcón peregrino, y cuando la policía no quiere involucrarse, él y los demás miembros de la asociación local de amantes de las palomas deciden tomar cartas en el asunto.

Bob Berisford was a haulage contractor who was involved in a bit of smuggling to keep the company from going bust. After his death his partner in crime Frank Carter wants to continue the arrangement and pays Bob's widow Evelyn a visit. When she refuses her life is threatened. Nurse Cassidy hears about the threats and asks PC Mason to look into it. Soon there is a lot to look into, but he doesn't get much help from Evelyn Berisford who is much too scared to talk. Tomasz Bukowski has come all the way from Poland to Aidensfield to look for a woman he fell in love with during the war, and Oscar Blaketon offers to help him. Bukowski repays him by playing the pub piano. Chopin and Beethoven may attract new customers, but they surely also keep the regulars away.