On a clear autumn day in Scottish game-dog country, John and Beth Cunningham set out on the first shoot of the season. But there is danger brewing beneath the delicate facade of healthy sport and gorgeous foliage. For joining the two is Ben Garnet, a corrupt local official who causes strife when he engineers an "accidental" mating between one of his spaniels and John's champion dog. Cunningham takes great pleasure in denying Garnet the signature he needs to register the pups, as the offspring of this underhanded union will bear the coveted bloodlines of both dogs - and will be extremely valuable. But unfortunately for Garnet, he is not the only one with an interest in blood: He turns up half-dead on a roadside near John's house, severely beaten. Suddenly the unthinkable has become a harsh reality: With his hostility for Garnet well known, John finds himself suspected of attempted murder.