DeputyAssistantCommissionerCharlieHillianiskilledonthenightofhisretirementparty.HillianwasatonetimeaseniorofficerinOxfordandwasinfactMorse'sboss.Hewasalsowritingabookabouthismostmemorablecases,includingoneabouttheunsolveddeathofan8-year-oldgirlsome18yearsago.Thesuspectinthatcase,FrederickRedpath,wasatHillian'shousethedayhediedandthatchapterfromthemanuscriptismissing.Thereareothersuspectshowever,includingHillian'sghostwriterwhowillnowreceiveallofthebook'sroyalties;ahandymanwhowasworkingontheproperty;andRedpath'sdaughter,whoknewthelittlegirlwhowaskilledallthoseyearsbefore.MorsecomesintoconflictwithwithacolleagueDCIDawson,whowasoneofHillian'sprotégés,astheyagainlookintothelittlegirl'sdeath.