Detective Inspector John Rebus is sympathetic to the MP's problems, and interviews a member of the Jacks' social circle, Andrew MacMillan, who is locked up in a psychiatric hospital after murdering his wife many years before. It becomes increasingly evident that somebody has 'set up' Jack, with the intention of stripping him of his good name, political standing and maybe even his life.
Detective Inspector John Rebus empathizes with the MP's issues and speaks with Andrew MacMillan, a former acquaintance of Jacks who was hospitalized for murdering his wife years ago. It becomes clear that someone has orchestrated an attempt to ruin Jack's name, political career, and possibly even his life.