When John Shearwood, a self-employed man, is found floating in the river with his shoes tied together, Vera (Brenda Blethyn) and Joe (David Leon) are brought in on the case.
They find that his hands have bruised knuckles, so they know a struggle took place. Investigating his family, they find nothing -- the family lives in the country, though the victim also had a flat in town. Vera learns that John's son Billy, a recovering drug addict, was in the vicinity at the time of the murder.
A customs officer visits Vera and informs her that Shearwood was working as a confidential informant to uncover a smuggling ring headed by Shearwood's boss, Mark Donovan. Donovan, however, was not near the murder scene at the time of the crime.
She then finds out that Shearwood is leading a double life with a woman named Gemma; but Gemma is in fact the mother of a little boy John's son accidentally ran over and killed.
It's up to Vera and Joe to unravel the various clues and happenings and figure out who killed Shearwood and why.
Interesting episode, with enough story to keep the viewer involved. As I have said before, Vera seems to have lightened up a little this season. I'm sure this is an acting choice by Blethyn as time has passed since the character's father died, and she's coming out of her dark feelings a little.
This may have been Leon's last episode, as I understand he left the show. I hope I heard wrong. He and Vera make a good team, and he's nice on the eyes as well.