When teacher Lucy Chatham is abducted Nikki and Jack help police officers Andy Steemson and Karen Wretzy investigate the circumstances of her disappearance whilst Thomas assists abrasive DS Maureen Steele when ex-addict Tina Lunt is murdered. Doctor's daughter Jessica Timpson saw a car outside her house near the spot where Lucy was taken and her parents Nick and Ellie fear it may belong to Ellie's brother Alec Porter. Tina's death points to criminal boyfriend Wesley Beale whilst Lucy's sister's boyfriend Jasper Lampton is the key suspect when Lucy, his secret lover, is found dead. Forensic evidence suggests that both women were killed by the same man. Then Beale is murdered.

Ex-drug user Jasper is hauled in by Steemson for killing Beale, who had been his supplier but released again whilst Ellie confides her fear to Nick that Jessica is covering for Alec, whom he believes to be the murderer. Then Clarissa finds a link between Alec and a twenty year old crime in Brighton for which he was acquitted. As a result he goes on the run and Ellie finds herself in danger from an unexpected source before the multiple killer is caught.