The Imperial Hotel, scene of the brutal murder of the Boy Preacher over thirty years ago, is about to be demolished, and the Chief Constable wants Harriet to take one last look at the scene.

Seven people had waited outside the ballroom where the Boy Preacher was to begin his sermon, shortly before he was found brutally strangled. Now, with the use of DNA, the suspects clothes are to be scientifically examined. The Chief Constable is intending to close this case once and for all.

As she waits for the DNA results, Harriet decides to interview the suspects and make up her own mind about the Boy's killer. But when the results fail to tally with Harriet's own mounting suspicions, the Hard Detective fears that this time she will not be able to give the Chief the answer he needs . . .