A young woman is found murdered in an expensive apartment near the top of a New York City high rise. Her name was DeeDee Miller, the daughter of a West Virginia coal mine owner. She was a friend to everyone and appeared to have no enemies-so who would want her dead? Young detective Billy Michaels is given her case-his first assignment.

As he begins to consider the evidence, Billy receives a visit from a private investigator named Walter Gumm. Walter used to be a detective, and twenty years before DeeDee’s murder he investigated a similar crime with equally mysterious circumstances. The killer was never found, and Walter has a feeling Billy’s perpetrator might be the same man from twenty years ago.

For some reason, Billy is blocked on all sides. His investigation stalls as he is thwarted by politicians, socialites, and even his own police force. Who would want to cover up the murder of DeeDee Miller? It must be someone with something to hide. Billy won’t let this case remain unsolved. Failure is not an option … but Billy’s ambition might cost him his life.