PC Bellamy is in trouble. There was a break-in on his beat while he was visiting one of his girlfriends. Witnesses noticed a noisy minivan speeding away from the scene of the crime immediately afterwards. An anonymous tip leads to part of the loot - and Phil Bellamy's address. Blaketon has no choice but to suspend him from duty. Greengrass notices a fast, black greyhound and spots an opportunity to make a bob or two because it's a dead ringer for ruthless businessman Jack Scarman's somewhat slower dog Northern Flash. If only they can "borrow" it from its owner Mr. Parrish and swap the two.

Ashfordly Hall opens its doors to the public with guided tours by Vernon Scripps. During one of the tours master art thief George Woodford sneaks away and hides in his lordship's wine cellar, where he makes himself comfortable until nightfall. Under the cover of darkness he then removes four valuable sketches by the famous English painter John Constable. Woodford is recognized on some press photos, but when the police want to question him, someone has beaten them to it, gagged the old man and knocks PPC Nicholson down. Of the sketches there is no trace. Not even in Woodford's hiding place. Somebody "accidentally" locks PPC Nicholson in one of the cells and then "forgets" all about it till next morning. A wise move because then he cannot make any mischief.

Betty Hackett is terminally ill and is not afraid to die. Dr. Trent promises her that she will not suffer unnecessarily. Teresa, Betty's daughter-in-law, overhears their conversation, and when the old lady suddenly dies Dr. Trent is accused of euthanasia. Rosie's brothers Luke and Matt report that somebody has stolen half a field of their strawberry crop during the night. PC Younger makes a little fun of it and suddenly has his very own case to solve.

Three children are exploring the garden of a sinister, old house near Aidensfield when the youngest of them, Peter, suddenly disappears. The whole village takes part in the search. The police concentrate their efforts around a mysterious van that Gina saw racing by just as the two elder kids pass her and PC Wetherby in the street; the police fear the boy has been kidnapped. Luckily he is soon found in a well near the old house, and a major rescue operation is launched. The rescue draws nationwide attention and soon Aidensfield is invaded by journalists from all over the country- including the prominent Sheridan Ralph who is very upset when he can't get a room at the Aidensfield Arms. Aunt Peggy does not hesitate to take advantage of the situation and offers him a room at her place - for at small fee of course. This decision is one she soon finds reason to regret since he is a very bothersome customer. Oscar Blaketon has other concerns than the rescue. He has noticed signs of a growing attraction between Gina and the newly divorced PC Wetherby-signs that don't go unnoticed by Sheridan Ralph either. But there might be a much more interesting story to tell when suddenly gun shots are fired from inside the old house, and it is determined that the house is inhabited by an aged and mysterious man.