Detective Max Camara is under pressure. A renowned paella chef has been found dead; the town hall are set on demolishing El Cabanyal the colourful fisherman's quarter on Valencia's sea-front; an abortionist has been kidnapped & with the Pope due to visit the city the police are summoned to offer protection from crowds of the faithful & the danger of anti-religionists alike. When one of Camara's long term adversaries is put in charge of the missing abortionist case tensions are quickly running high & with ominous cracks spreading across the walls of his flat Camara soon has nowhere to turn.