Her work for the Ventura County Probation Department brings Carolyn Sullivan face-to-face with the most depraved criminals, and serial killer Raphael Moreno is at the top of the list. But things get even darker when a single phone call propels her into a nightmare. Carolyn's brother, Neil, has discovered the body of his girlfriend floating in his swimming pool - and he's soon the prime suspect in her murder. Neil has an alibi: he was in bed with celebrity heiress Melody Asher. But when Melody refuses to back up Neil's story and the evidence against him mounts, the brother Carolyn thought she knew suddenly seems like a complete stranger. The key to everything seems to be Moreno, but getting inside his head is a dangerous game. Now Carolyn must find the courage to make the ultimate decision - whether to risk the lives of innocent people or save herself and those she loves most...