Three-part sequel to Jake Arnott's thriller The Long Firm, exploring how the consequences of one single act of brutality in 1960s gangland Soho reverberates across two decades. The fates of a detective, a journalist and a villain are inextricably linked when the 1966 summer of World Cup euphoria is shattered by the slaying of three policemen.

Billy Porter goes on the run and reporter Tony Meehan is in demand as the acknowledged expert on the cop killer, while Frank Taylor grows closer to Jon Young's widow Jeannie. Five years later Billy is still free and has forged a new life for himself, but Frank's life is blighted by his failure to capture the villain, and Tony's personal obsession has earned him a reputation as a crank.

Nearly 20 years after the killings, Frank has managed to attain the rank of DCI, but finds that promotion is no guarantee of fulfilment. Spurred into renewed action by the disappearance of journalist Tony Meehan, he finally manages to locate Billy - who senses the game is almost over and arms himself in readiness, determined to end it on his own terms.