Travis Byrne, a smart Dallas cop who decided in mid-career to trade his badge for a law degree, has seen a lot of scum in his time - but no one as low, mean, and vicious as Al Moroconi. Moroconi has been hauled in on the charge of orchestrating a monstrous crime against a young woman. The first defense attorney on the case disappears under highly suspicious circumstances. Now, appointed by a federal judge, Travis is obliged to speak for the defense. Much as he despises Moroconi, Travis is a professional: he'll do everything he can to get Moroconi off, even in the face of a death threat from the Mob. But just as the trial is getting under way, Moroconi shoots his way out of court custody, steals a car, and vanishes into the Dallas underworld - taking Travis's reputation with him. No sooner does Moroconi disappear than Travis becomes ensnared in a web of corruption and betrayal, in which nothing is what it appears to be. The FBI is after Travis for a murder he didn't commit. The Mob wants to kill him for a secret hit list he doesn't have. Running for his life, Travis comes to the horrifying realization that the charge against Moroconi is just a cover for something much bigger and more foul....