The boy’s sudden, mysterious disappearance from a crowded playground makes front-page news and Special Agent Max Lawson takes on the case, certain that this is no ordinary abduction; the kidnapper’s pathological need for control and punishment for perceived wrongs is too great.

On the trail of vicious kidnappers, Special Agent Lawson learns the chilling truth of Rachel’s past . . . and of a horrific secret at the very center of a nasty little war. He knows that the people around Rachel are hiding something dirty. Something big that just might get them killed. Agent Lawson is in the midst of a personal crisis at work and at home,…when he realizes he has become emotionally involved with the missing boy’s mother, but the case becomes all-consuming as they learn that the mastermind behind Kyle’s abduction is plotting one, last, perfect crime… against all who stand in the way.

But they are already in way too deep to stop now as they are drawn deeper into a maze of lies, secrets, and deadly choices, overwhelmed by tragedy and struggling not to give in to her despair, Kyle’s mother uncovers a shocking truth: that the separate acts of violence that shattered their lives were really a long time in the making and the trail of lies, blame, guilt and notoriety which follow —are a long way from over.