Following a major fundraising event for the Butterfly Foundation, formed by Special Agents Ellie Conway and Mac Connelly, to offer sanctuary and support to the children of mentally ill parents, Ellie is sent to the first of many horrific crime scenes. Now a Supervising Special Agent, Ellie is confronted with identifying the connection between the victims. Events and puzzling clues which include bourbon, chlorine and gold ribbons, draw Ellie into a maze which includes a serial killer, Eastern European terrorists with military connections and conceivably, the Pentagon. Women are being murdered, children are missing and the trail is bizarre. After a phone call purporting to offer information, Ellie puts her life in jeopardy, walks into a trap and is assaulted and severely stabbed. With her psycho-prophetic talents, Ellie anticipates and protects future victims and deciphers the underlying reason for the murders.