A fourteen year old boy is found hanging in the local woods. The pathologist's report finds that he was strangled, left face down and then strung up. Fitz is brought in to comfort the grieving family and the victim's character is revealed - it appears Tim was a loner and gay. His death has a profound effect on his English teacher Mr Cassidy who makes two unsuccessful suicide attempts. Suspicious of Cassidy's motives and apparent guilt, he is brought in for questioning. His relationship with Tim proves to be more than just teacher-pupil and his own sexuality is brought into question. As the investigation proceeds, the local community turns lynch mob and Fitz has the terrible burden of trying to find the truth amongst all the madness.