In side stories during the above, Rebus asks Siobhan to lay off one of the people she’s questioning, and she goes to Templar with the information. Rebus then storms the Chief’s office, where we learn that Rebus is working undercover for DCI Tennent; a shouting match ends with the DCI refusing to call off the investigation, and sends Rebus back to get more evidence. He’s working to put the two other delinquents into the docks, of course, but his forced silence is causing strains with both Siobhan and Templar.

It all works out in the end, naturally, but in a somewhat surprising ending.

"The First Stone"

Higher ups lying – yawn. Higher ups in the church lying – yawn again. All ancient history; both parties have been lying since politics and religion began, haven’t they? But throw in some “special counseling,” aka adultery, by the man picked to head up the church in Scotland, and the very public exhibition of the adulterers’ bodies after they’ve been murdered, and it’s a matter for the press.

The investigation into the murders, as always happens, turns up some unintended consequences and some unexpected revelations, all turned up by good detective work and a lucky break here and again. More murders quicken the pace and the pressure, but Rebus’s instincts and Siobhan’s dogged researching skills turn up the clues that lead to the evidence, which leads to the resolution of the murders, along with a previously unconnected one many years earlier.