Two close calls with death and the lingering guilt he harbors over the injury to Detective David Sizemore compounds Joe Hampton's ongoing attempt to come to terms with the passing of his wife. Persuaded to assume the role of consultant to the homicide division soon has him and Detective Carly Truffant on the trail of a serial killer who mutilates his victims. Uncovering the identity of the killer proves as difficult as understanding why rookie Detective Dani Mc Masters resents him being a part of the team. An unexpected turn of events finds Joe and McMasters trapped and fighting for their lives. Then, his dream of a peaceful getaway is shattered when he finds himself in the middle of an investigation during his visit to a small community on the coast of southwest Florida. The help of a stranger before joining forces with the lead detective doesn't keep him from the prospect of winding up in a watery grave. Upon his return home, Joe helps Detective Truffant trace the origin of human bones uncovered on a local beach. As they dig deeper, they come to realize that the skeleton may have a connection to the disappearance of an aunt that Truffant never knew.