Why would a shady businessman go to considerable lengths to disappear overseas only to return home to Canberra to be murdered? One of several questions puzzling John Order from a casual association with the man, along with why another local businessman wants him to stay away from his dealings with a big developer. And then there's the estranged daughter of the building tycoon, along with the usual parliamentary power games. Twentieth century crime and tragedy lies behind Order's eighth involvement in deception and death.