After industrialist and political party funder Ruggerio Miletti is kidnapped, the Ministry turn to Aurelio Zen, to get him back alive at any cost.

Detective Zen is sent to a remote village to re-investigate a murder, which may spark a political scandal. Zen is under pressure from the politicians and the Chief of Police, but he would rather be spending time with Tania, the Chief's beautiful assistant. Meanwhile, a gangster is after Zen, seeking revenge.

The death of a famous aristocrat, Umberto Ruspanti, leads Detective Zen into the shadowy world of The Cabal - an organisation more powerful and secret than the Mafia. The Ministry want a quick verdict of suicide, but Zen's not so sure. Meanwhile, things are looking up with Tania.