When his boy-friend Rich is murdered Adam Hutchings accuses homophobic neighbour Barry Keane, who had previously threatened them after they had tried to persuade his wife Charlotte, whom he had assaulted, to leave him. He has no alibi but under questioning admits that he was with Charlotte's friend Moira, with whom he is having an affair. Rachel's mother Sharon comes back into her life, as her drug-dealing boy-friend is on remand and she wants Rachel to get him bail. Rachel refuses but the distraction causes her to take her mind off the case, missing evidence. However she is ultimately instrumental in solving the death and identifying the killer.