California Homicide Detective Tom McMichael has every good reason to pass on the investigation of slain city patriarch Pete Braga. After all, it was former mayor and self-made millionaire Braga who killed Tom's grandfather in a dispute over money -- and Tom's own father who, allegedly, sought revenge by savagely beating Braga's son into imbecility. But there are others who hated the old man as well. And McMichael is a good cop determined to perform his duty to the best of his abilities -- despite his growing feelings for the beautiful nurse who is the prime suspect in the brutal bludgeoning death ... and despite a twisting trail that is leading him into deadly, dark, and very private places where he dearly wishes not to go.