RAF mechanic Nicholas Coveney has discovered that his lover Charlotte Sinclair is having an affair with another man, Francois Baudin. Preoccupied by this news, he is negligent in servicing a jet, which consequently crashes soon after take-off at a nearby moto-cross event in which Kavanagh's son Matt is taking part. The plane's two crewman and a number of spectators are killed. When Coveney discovers technical drawings and plans of the base at Charlotte's flat, he realises that he has simply been used to further Charlotte and Francois' political ends. When Charlotte is charged with murder and theft, Kavanagh agrees to defend a woman who is arguably the most hated in the country, despite the heartfelt protests of his grieving son.