Unconventional police rookie Luke Jones is back to work after reluctantly killing a man he knew and liked in order to save the life of a partner he despises. Although labeled a hero by some, he's soon up to his old tricks—doggedly challenging authority in an organization with little tolerance for defiance, irritating peers and superiors alike by quoting Shakespeare at will, and refusing to back down when prudence dictates surrender. His latest challenge: San Diego is reeling from the horror of PSA 182, a Boeing 727 airliner that collided with a private Cessna 172 and crashed into the crowded neighborhood of North Park, killing 144 people. Now disaster lurks in two different parts of the city and Luke has to choose which situation needs his attention first. One choice could cost the life of a friend. The other could get him fired. . . or killed.