When Richard West is asked to go to Fern Valley to save a school from closure he discovers a conspiracy of silence in the small community, the huge MALFOR company and the teachers. Why are people resentful of his efforts? What is upsetting the Maori community? Why has a young surveyor disappeared? Where is the previous School Principal? Did the experienced Alex Jamieson die naturally in a tree fall, or was he murdered? What secrets are buried in the ancient burial caves? What are the MalFor payments hiding, and how does Richard break the cone of silence??.