The episode unfolds in the solemn ambiance of a morgue, where Frank Lawrie (played by Andy Gathergood) meticulously prepares Paul Thompson's (portrayed by Mark Quartley) lifeless body for embalming. As the ritualistic process commences, he extinguishes the light and pours himself a libation, seeking solace in the quiet. Suddenly, an unearthly sound pierces the silence, prompting him to switch off the radio abruptly. Footsteps echo ominously, followed by the resounding slam of a door. Frank scans his surroundings with growing unease and discovers to his horror that the corpse has vanished into thin air.
Elsewhere, Patience Evans (Ella Maisy Purvis) and Detective Inspector Bea Metcalf (Laura Fraser) embark on a tour of Clifford’s Tower, a historic site steeped in history. Metcalf warmly invites Patience to join her for a festive birthday gathering at a cozy local pub. Shortly thereafter, Alfie Metcalf-Haynes (Maxwell Whitelock) packs his belongings, preparing to spend time with David Haynes (Eddie Elks). David informs Metcalf that Alfie’s ADHD test results have arrived, to which she agrees to review them at her leisure, reassuring David that Alfie will be just fine.
In a different part of town, Patience finds herself pondering whether to attend Metcalf’s birthday bash, seeking counsel from Billy Thompson (Connor Curren). Billy, ever the impartial observer, tells her it’s a decision solely for her heart to make. Just then, he receives a haunting voicemail from WPC Carmichael, breaking the news about his brother Paul, who succumbed to a heart attack and circulatory collapse.
Later that evening, at the mortuary, Billy learns to his dismay that Dr. Di Marco is unavailable to perform an autopsy due to a fractured arm. While he waits anxiously outside, Patience delivers Paul’s clothes to the morgue. As she inspects the deceased, Mike Waller (Pater Singh) approaches, incorrectly asserting her presence there as unauthorized. Patience, sharp-eyed, notes the absence of any visible signs of circulatory collapse. Waller, denying any affiliation with the morgue, adds to the air of mystery. As she exits, Frank arrives, adding another layer to the unfolding drama.
The following day, Patience immerses herself in laundry, washing Paul’s clothes, each stroke of the washboard a silent tribute to the departed. Meanwhile, she arrives at the autism group meeting, unaware that Billy has just received shocking news: Paul’s corpse has inexplicably disappeared, setting the stage for further intrigue and emotional turmoil.
Metcalf, Billy, Patience, alongside Detective Sergeant Jake Hunter (played by Nathan Welsh), arrive at the somber setting of the morgue. Frank informs them that he had commenced the embalming process prior to Paul's corpse being removed. Mike reassures them that such occurrences are not unheard of in their line of work. Patience inquires about the chemicals involved, to which Frank responds with pride, revealing his unique formula: a concoction of formaldehyde, strychnine, ethanol, activated charcoal, and, much to Mike's astonishment, cognac. Frank justifies the inclusion of cognac by explaining its cost-effectiveness compared to other over-the-counter alternatives.
Metcalf ponders aloud if Paul could have somehow managed to escape. Mike dismisses this notion, noting that Paul's eyes and mouth had been sewn shut. Billy, unable to bear the gravity of the situation, excuses himself. Later, a puzzle triggers a poignant flashback, where George Evans (portrayed by Jamie Maclachlan) patiently teaches young Patience (Oona Van Harneveldt) how to solve it.
Returning to the present, Douglas Gilmour (Adrian Rawlins) and Patience engage in a conversation about Metcalf's birthday gift when Billy reappears, haunted by the possibility that Paul might still be alive. Soon after, they discover Paul's apartment in a state of disarray, with a man lying stabbed on the floor. Patience, checking for vital signs, finds that miraculously, the man is still breathing. Billy, visibly shaken, notices the tie he had taken to the morgue and realizes it was Paul's tie that had saved the man's life. He urges Patience to keep quiet about the tie until they confirm Paul's whereabouts.
At the crime scene, Hunter discovers an ID belonging to Sacha Davidson, an executive assistant at AFT, a food processing company where Paul was employed. Billy recounts how Paul and his colleagues had been celebrating a victory in a case involving allegations that AFT's additives caused behavioral issues in children. Hunter and Metcalf relay their suspicions about Di Marco's fractured arm to DCI Calvin Baxter (Mark Benton), noting that Marco's daughter, Anita, heads investor relations at AFT. Baxter desires to question Di Marco before approaching AFT.
Meanwhile, DC Will Akbari (Ali Ariaie) updates Metcalf on a massive lawsuit filed against AFT, with an expected payout of 300 million, though the judge deemed AFT's reforms sufficient. Metcalf stares intently at Alfie's test results before abruptly closing her laptop. Later, Baxter informs Metcalf that Di Marco has been urging Anita to resign, but she insists on staying for an upcoming stock exchange listing.
Bethan Porter, the CEO of AFT (played by Jessica Ellerby), shows Metcalf and Hunter a video from the AFT celebration. Metcalf comments on the inappropriateness of the party in light of the children's plight. Bethan defends the celebration, emphasizing that AFT's future hinged on the case's outcome. In the video, Paul appears visibly distressed. Metcalf suggests a potential link between Sacha's attack and Paul's demise.
As they depart, Hunter shares with Metcalf a bombshell revelation: Anita and Paul were having an affair. When Paul ended it, Anita vandalized his car, though he never pressed charges. Additionally, AFT's chef, Mason Jenner (Jonah Russell), served a two-year sentence for stealing from a restaurant.
Patience imparted to Metcalf that Billy had conveyed the train tie to the morgue, intended for Paul. She cast doubts on Frank's narrative and harbored the belief that Paul was still breathing, having inflicted the wound upon Sacha. She further alleged that Frank emanated a pungent odor of cognac. Subsequently, Metcalf and Patience discovered the morgue securely fastened. Upon their return to their vehicle, an inebriated Frank stumbled and collapsed onto the car's rooftop. Metcalf swiftly subdued him.
Later, in the confines of the interrogation room, Frank retracted his previous statement, asserting that Paul had vanished at 2:30 am, not 7 am, and that he hadn't sewn his eyes shut as initially claimed. Baxter argued that Frank was an unreliable witness. Hunter reminded him of the knife discovered at Paul's residence. Baxter countered by stating his residence there. Metcalf revealed that Ophelia Lawrence had asserted Paul possessed evidence proving that the AFT's triumph was founded upon deceit. Baxter, distressed, insisted on concrete proof.
After scrutinizing the footage from the AFT gala, Patience delved into the study of tetrodotoxin, a toxin found in pufferfish, and engaged in conversation with an employee at Sushi Okonomi. The following day, Patience articulated her hypothesis regarding Paul's recovery from tetrodotoxin poisoning, attributing it to the administration of activated charcoal. The video footage from the AFT event depicted a woman presenting Paul with a bento box.
Elliot Scott, portrayed by Tom Lewis, retrieved a bento box from a dumpster adjacent to the AFT headquarters, while Bethan observed from within the building. At the precinct, Jenner declined to utter a single word in response to any inquiry. He had ordered the bento boxes from Sushi Okonomi, yet the proprietor denied selling Fugu, which is prohibited in the UK. She inquired how Fugu found its way into the bento boxes served at the AFT gala and whether he and Bethan shared a romantic entanglement. Jenner's attorney, Christian Roe, terminated the interrogation upon learning of Paul's survival and pending murder charges.
Elsewhere, Billy's abode had been forcibly entered. Patience urged him to disclose Paul's hiding spot to the authorities. Billy emphasized the urgency of tidying up the situation. As she touched his shoulder, she inquired about Paul's whereabouts. Metcalf and Hunter arrived just as she was departing. Armed, Jenner trailed her to an apartment where Paul was concealed and demanded the proof. When Paul refused, Jenner assaulted him and threatened to harm Patience. Metcalf and Hunter arrived on the scene, tasering and apprehending Jenner. Patience was left in a state of panic, which Metcalf comforted her through.
Later, Billy and Paul embraced warmly. Patience arrived at the pub, where Scott invited her on a date. She agreed to contemplate his offer. Metcalf was surprised to see her there. Patience revealed Scott's invitation and gifted her a box. Metcalf opened it to find what resembled a thimble, eliciting laughter from Hunter. Displeased, Patience abruptly left the pub. Metcalf caught up with her, asserting that she made things easier for both of them. Patience departed, leaving Metcalf to sit at a table and review Alfie's test results on her phone.
