A dead body washes up in Hartlepool. The post-mortem reveals he was murdered. Police officers trace the scene of crime to the south bank of the River Tees where night watchman, Alf, keeps watch over a scrapyard. A woman comes forward to identify the victim, claiming to be his sister. The murder weapon is found in the possession of the colleague who reported the victim missing. It seems that the case can be closed. But DI Julie Cadell is not so sure.