Chief Henry Evans came to New Zealand to study. He took New Zealand citizenship and remained in New Zealand, where he became a politician. He was passed over as President of Tibu, although he regularly visited his Pacific Island homeland. In the Matagouri Valley in New Zealand he began to assemble a private army so he could reclaim what he believed was his right, to rule Tibu.One of Richard West's university students disappears after Richard advises her to tell the police of the proposition made to her by Miriam Samu, head of the Christchurch Visa Office. Her friends believe she has been abducted and forced to work in the sex trade. Another student, Ayumi, is beaten up when she demands answers. Policewoman Rebecca Nolan is suspended for becoming involved.

The trail leads to the Tall Oaks Resort, a horrible death, a gruesome discovery in an old gold mine, and a life and death struggle in a whirlpool.