Riches beyond the dreams of avarice are the last thing on Bill Sylvester's mind when he returns to England after a holiday in Spain. A detective inspector in South Mercia, Sylvester is greeted by an urgent summons from the chief constable himself. Meanwhile, the lottery ticket he bought so casually while on vacation lies forgotten in his wallet.

Sylvester is asked to tackle a highly delicate case. An anonymous letter - alleging murder - received by the chief identifies a wealthy antiques dealer as the perpetrator of a ruthless scam against defenseless old ladies. Sylvester is soon on his way to the opulent home of Charles Roanoke - and what he witnesses there convinces him that the allegations against the dealer should be taken seriously.

Before long Sylvester finds he is alone in believing in Roanoke's guilt. Then he learns that his lottery ticket has won him almost a million pounds. Suddenly master of his own destiny, he resigns from the force. But Sylvester has become obsessed with pursuing Roanoke to the bitter end. An end that proves far more bitter than he at first realizes. For justice can sometimes exact a terrible price, even from a newly minted millionaire...