A mysterious car accident on a desolate road triggers a frantic search for a missing hitch-hiker who may not exist. Police sergeant Sue Fraser finds herself at the center of a baffling investigation after a driver reports a fatal collision that leaves no physical evidence behind. As she attempts to reconcile the driver's traumatic account with the lack of a crime scene, she realizes the key to the truth lies in locating the elusive hitch-hiker. The narrative follows a procedural framework, focusing on the logical steps of a police investigation while maintaining a sense of psychological unease. Fraser must navigate the tension between empirical evidence and the subjective reality of the witness.

Readers frequently highlight the effective use of suspense within a short narrative format. Discussion often centers on the ambiguity of the central mystery and whether the hitch-hiker represents a physical person or a psychological manifestation. Critics note the efficiency of the prose, which avoids unnecessary exposition to keep the focus on the immediate investigation. The story is often praised for its ability to maintain a high level of intrigue despite its concise length. Many readers find the resolution to be a point of significant debate regarding the nature of the accident.