James McDonald, after all his earlier adventures, has settled happily into his false identity and home in Ardrossan, Tasmania. He is enjoying the regular rhythm of life as a respected member of the unorthodox village community. His housemate, retired Sergeant of Police, Edward Fraser, is living his own life while sharing James' home. All their needs seem to be met. The other police officer who we met in Tartan Identity is now also retired from the force and looking to achieve his own dream with a tourist project near Cairns - at the other end of the country. However, Michael Gillespie is in a lot of trouble and sends out a cry for help, to which Edward responds, taking James along for the adventure; an adventure that nearly gets them both very dead.