Police take part in what turns out to be a dangerous pursuit, officers get called to a domestic dispute and police spot a suspicious vehicle.

Death threats against the daughter of the manor, Melissa Townsend, bring Barnaby and Sergeant Troy to the affluent village of Midsomer Malham. Melissa is blamed by some for causing the death of a local poacher. District nurse Sally Rickworth, is found in a confused state at the wheel of her crushed car, on the same day that a quantity of barbiturates and syringes are discovered stolen from the veterinary surgery. Later that day the detectives find Melissa dead, with a syringe in her stomack. As Barnaby and Troy investigate they uncover seedy goings on in the village.