Jake Ramsey flies workers to oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Flying helicopters is all he's ever done for thirty years in the Army then in Louisiana. He lives alone in middle age, suffering from depression as a border-line alcoholic with no family and few close friends. His isolation stems from a recurrent nightmare as a young Army Ranger and pilot when his best friend was killed through Jake's bravado. As a deplorable hermit, Jake's life reverses when a young woman emerges claiming to be the daughter of his dead buddy. She transforms him and renews the joy of living after decades as a derelict. His life reforms through her inspiration and forgiveness. It's all a shockingly effective illusion to steal his life-long investment in gold bullion coins. While discovering the girl's charade, Jake meets and falls in love with a woman who was also fooled by the girl. Death and destruction follow as he chases the girl, only to find that she was manipulated by a maniacal killer.