When Scott Macklen learns he is marked for death by Harry Boggs, the man in cocaine in the San Fernando Valley, his first thought is to slip past the man's defenses and take him off. But this is not only inappropriate, it would likely be fatal, as Boggs has an army and millions to feed it.

Instead, Scott gathers a small team of specialists and begins destroying chunks of Boggs' $200 million financial empire. He is counting on the man's paranoia, on his near psychotic rages, to bring illegal action upon which waiting authorities can act.

But despite good success, Scott seems unable to shove Boggs into a foolish move. Still, he has no choice. He must continue to attack, to find some way to force Boggs into the arms of the law. He's got to make it happen. Or die.