In the fifth installment of the Ashe Cayne series the smooth Chicago private eye stumbles into the city's internecine (and deadly) world of politics.

The death of immigrant Juaquin Escobar has been ruled an accidental drowning in Lake Michigan. The only problem is he never drinks and never swims. When the CPD informs his nephew Ivan Ramirez and closes the case he refuses to believe it's true.

Convinced of foul play Ivan is referred to Ashe Cayne by his friend and socialite Penny Packer. After agreeing to take the case on pro bono he quickly discovers that things are not always what they seem. As Ashe investigates, he learns that Juaquin was last seen getting into a white van belonging to a heating and cooling company before he disappeared.

Retracing Juaquin's steps leads Ashe straight into a web of secrets and lies that anyone would do anything to escape—even murder.