When Gardiner organises a British tour for a South American dance company and discovers a plot to discredit their patron, he intervenes on the British Government. But South, a hired killer, stalks his every move.

When Professor Preece is sent to prison for passing secrets to a foreign agent but escapes to settle accounts with the real traitor (his son), a chance meeting with Judy alerts Gardiner to Preece's plans.

Before Gardiner can arrive at a sleazy hotel to keep a rendezvous with a man claiming to have important news, South kills the informer. Gardiner discovers the man's body and a reel of film - which sets him on the trail of a powerful adversary.

A young boy 'adopts' Judy and declares that he will stay with the Gardiners, and then produces a £100 note to pay rent. This odd event leads Steve to uncover an uncover an assassination plot against a French politician, whom South has been hired to kill.

When Judy has a nightmare during which she is murdered by a mute killer and then meets South, the man from her dreams, in a train corridor, Steve finds far more than he bargained for on his return home.

Gardiner is approached by a young girl who asks him to sign a petition on behalf of South, who is applying for a reprieve. They argue and the incident places both in danger when Gardiner is mistaken for an American journalist.

The body of an actor, covered with flowers and found in a car, leads Gardiner to bait a trap for South.

Enter Chief Inspector Charles Rose: 'Once you know me better, Sergeant, you will realise the most terrifying thing about me. I never get angry.' But what happens when Rose comes face to face with Gardiner's late wife Judy?

Rose and Swift find themselves entwined in the mystery of Georgia Snow, a young girl who requested Gardiner's assistance, but is now beyond help. She lies dead in her flat - her face a mask of terror.

Why should a nun request police protection? Rose and Swift will gladly assist the woman - providing they know what they are letting themselves in for - but Mother Eve has taken a vow of silence.

Murder. Extortion. Rose and Swift have dealt have with both. But when Gardiner gets himself into hot water, Rose must do some quick thinking before he and Swift find themselves engulfed in mayhem of a different variety.

A town where nobody sets foot outside after dark draws Rose's attention. Why should everyone be so afraid? What dark mystery lurks in the shadows? Why is everyone running scared?

Jake Justice is a very determined man. When he wants Rose to reopen an unsolved case, the CI has no option but to do so. At least that's what Justice believes - but then Rose is equally determined to allow the law to run its own course.

'The people of this country have began to lose faith in their country's security system. do you agree, Inspector?' Rose does. But he won't allow a cover-up to stand in the way of his investigation.

'Last time, I offered you money. I offered you mercy. But you were too big for either. Next time it will be difficult. Tomorrow brings now mercy.' Rose has spoken. Villains beware.