A body is discovered at the side of a rural road, a victim of a hit-and-run at violent speed, a young man without a name or identification. No car can be found and no driver. The case is destined to be closed without result; though Inspector Graham Rase cannot accept this. He, with only the cautious support of his Sergeant, is determined to resolve the case and name the boy. This despite considerable difficulties in his own life, and the emergence of other criminals in town distracting the police’s attention – a smuggling gang, a series of house-breakings. Though might these other criminals be involved in his case? And might they even be the route to solving it?