Jackie Warren is dangerous. He has escaped from jail and no-one knows where he is. Then a Post Office van is robbed in Kingley and Watt finds him on his own doorstep.
A barn is burned down. It could be arson, but the insurance is hardly worth claiming. And of course, fires do happen. But Evans is suspicious, and he goes in for a spot of bricklaying when the new barn is built.
Hawkins takes his wife's dog for a walk one night. They meet a drunk who tells him a disturbing tale. Hawkins has to tell John Watt. Together they have to do a job hated by all policemen: looking into the private life of one of their own men.
Watt and Hawkins are baffled by a couple of crooks; Hawkins is angry with a probation officer and Evans is hurt by a brick. It's a dog's life being a policeman!
Snow and Nesbitt are enquiring into a crime which has happened. Evans is asking about a crime which may happen. John Watt is concentrating on the present.