As river levels fall on the Murray the Mary B's crew is more than ready for the summer break, but on this last trip of the season Emma is also looking forward to seeing her friend Hilda and her children safely to Echuca. Until, that is, she finds the children alone and Hilda's body in the woodpile.

It soon becomes clear the children are hiding something. And where is their father? Emma is determined to take care of what her friend left behind but while even the dead have secrets, as she quickly discovers, it's dealing with the secrets of the living that's putting her on edge.

Tempers on board are fraying amidst suspicious accidents and there's tension among the crew as Emma tries to get answers, concerned about the children's future as well as the death of their mother. Daniel is losing patience with the situation and with Emma. Are they all just tired of one another's company? Or is something more going on?

When Emma's concern for the children finally brings her face to face with Hilda's killer, has her understanding of the secret they are keeping come too late