Two men straddle the law in Morgan City. Luc Norris is a successful writer and a thief. Harlan Cade is police commissioner and the shadowy head of organized crime known only as Mr. K. Luc learned of Cade's dual identity by a fluke and is careful to avoid anything involving him under either persona. When Cade becomes aware of Luc's activities as a thief, he sets out to identify him and recruit him into Mr. K.'s service.

Even as Cade seeks to find Luc, Police Chief Pearson is working to clean up corruption in the Morgan City Police Department. Pearson has become suspicious that Cade may be involved.

As Cade, Pearson, and Luc each pursue their own agendas, the Taprion, Kingman, and Calvaldo families, who control organized crime in Morgan City, are edging toward war.