After shipyard owner Giovanni Trincanato fires a worker, the man hangs himself on the construction site, and Inspector Montalbano is called to the scene. In short order, the inspector loses his temper and slaps the crass mogul, setting himself up for future troubles. Meanwhile, in this 27th case (following The Sicilian Method), the schooner Halcyon shows up in the harbor, deserted except for just one man. With its presence comes another death, and the arrival of the FBI. Alongside Sicilian-American Agent Pennisi, Montalbano and his team must attempt an infiltration operation.