There has been a break-in at the county council office. At first it seems that nothing but petty cash was taken, but then it is discovered that an adoption file is missing. When the child of that file is abducted suspicion falls on its biological mother Sandie Eliot. Only the abducted child is not hers! Greengrass reports a murder. One of his homing pigeons has been killed by a peregrine falcon, and when the police will have nothing to do with it he and his fellow members of the local pigeon fanciers association decide to take matters in their own hands.

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.