Charlie Brinsworth, a career criminal who has just completed a lengthy prison sentence, decides to take up temporary residence at the Black Bear, an old pub he inherited from his father some years previously. This is not a long-term commitment. Charlie has few fond memories of his formative years and hates the pub with a passion. He just needs somewhere quiet to hole up for a few weeks while he reconciles his business affairs and figures out what he intends to do with the rest of his days.
Charlie's return to his old stomping ground quickly attracts interest from the forces of law and order and is viewed with outright suspicion by the gang that is top dog in the local area, not least because they are currently involved in a vicious turf war.
The bloke who manages the pub on his behalf has also started to act a bit strange; but that can doubtless be put down to women trouble.......with Mickey Smith that is always the case.
On a brighter note it isn't long before Charlie receives a somewhat unusual job offer. Pity the work is illegal but with his record what else could he expect? At least the money is decent so it's hard to say no.
As Charlie Brinsworth slowly comes to terms with his murky past and attempts to bring some form of order to his chaotic lifestyle all hell breaks loose and very soon he finds himself drawn into a conflict he would have been very happy to avoid.