From the corner of his eye, he sees the massive arm swinging down in a hard chop toward his neck. He tries to avoid it but it is too unexpected. There is a numbing blow which snaps his head to one side. He feels the keys slip from his hand as he sinks into darkness. His last thoughts are about the attack. The unknown assailant's sole purpose is to kill him. Why? A mysterious letter sent to Alan Bronze encourages him to return to his childhood hometown to handle the estate of his deceased grandfather, a man he hated and who hated him in return. Instead of the expected paper shuffling, Alan is soon struggling just to stay alive. He has unwittingly walked into the midst of a major drug distribution center-set up by his own grandfather. The old man's corrupt partners are the leading citizens of the small mountain town, and now they plan to take care of Alan-just like they took care of his grandfather. With the help of the well-connected editor of the local newspaper, Alan decides he's going to have to take control of this 'kill or be killed" situation.