 Rebus is called to an investment bank after a man shoots himself in front of the bank s owner. In his wallet the dead man has a photo of a young child along with the words Alto Chicampa. At the man s funeral, Rebus finds out that he was working for a chemical company, about to set up a new plant at a local estate to manufacture a new pesticide for the third world. Investigations lead Rebus to Amanda Morrison, a former employee of the bank about to sue the firm for sexual discrimination, but who soon turns up dead. Can Rebus prove that the suicide shooter and Amanda both died because of what they knew? Will the rich and powerful go to any lengths to protect their investments?