After spending some of her compensation money learning Aikido at a retreat in Cornwall, Havers has been invited by Lynley's mother, Lady Asherton, to stay at the family estate. Lynley is also in Cornwall visiting his mother, but avoiding answering any questions about his relationship with Helen. So when horse trainer Jim Fenner, who lives on a neighboring estate, is found hanged in his stable, it is a welcome diversion to delay the inevitable questioning.