Sam comes under intense scrutiny during an official inquiry into the deaths of two brothers while they were in prison. Her findings are soon challenged by her colleague, Leo Dalton, who is brought in to perform a second autopsy. Meanwhile, a series of murders that are taking place cast suspicion on a recently released ex-convict. He served years in prison after being convicted of killing his wife; the evidence against him was given by Sam during one of her very first cases. During his time in prison, however, he continued to deny his guilt. Sam begins to believe that someone is stalking her, while the police have trouble locating the ex-convict.

Sam and Leo, colleague Pathologists, are on opposing sides of a high-profile court case.

Confectionery magnate John Briggs, head of an ailing empire and at odds with union leader Kenny Barber, is found dead of an apparent heart attack in a hotel bedroom. He was about to sell his company to millionaire Emmett Schwartzman. His sole heir is long estranged daughter Geraldine, to the chagrin of his brother Phillip, whom Geraldine appoints as company director. Young police pathologist Jack Hodgson claims Briggs was murdered, believing he had been with a prostitute, and is sufficiently persuasive that Leo recruits him to replace Harry, now working in New York. Briggs' right hand man Trenter pays off escort Deanna Collier, who is actually Geraldine's daughter and had just tracked Briggs down. Geraldine gives Deanna a charm bracelet but soon afterwards the girl is murdered.

As Nikki discovers that Deanna was not Geraldine's daughter but an opportunist out to fleece Briggs, Schwartzman decides against buying the confectionery firm. Interviewd by DS Gold in Nikki's presence Geraldine explains that she was raped by Phillip Briggs as a teenager and her baby given away. John Briggs' legal adviser Annette, who found Deanna, expresses unease to Tranter about the deception and is later found murdered. Geraldine is arrested but the pathologists, aided by Jack's wheelchair-bound mentor Clarissa, uncover the truth though the killer never makes it to court. Geraldine is, however, reunited with her real daughter.