The lawyer Sten Torstensson asks his friend, the policeman Kurt Wallander, for help: His father was killed in a traffic accident and Torstensson does not believe it was an accident. Torstensson is put off by Wallander, but Torstensson is also found dead a short time later. It is certain that he was murdered. Wallander receives a tip that Torstensson was involved in dubious business relationships. His investigations lead him to a large industrialist and his daughter. Finally, Wallander is also attacked.