Air Force investigator Martin Collins is used to bucking the system in the name of justice. But when he is called on to investigate the torture-style slaying of Major Franklin Talbot, Collins is embroiled in the most controversial case of his career. Evidence suggests that the deadly act was a hate crime -- and that Talbot was hiding a shocking secret that may have sealed his fate. Even more shocking are the suspects: all high-ranking officers -- including Talbot's own uncle, a leading presidential candidate.

Traversing a politically charged minefield of buried secrets, Martin is targeted by powerful forces that cannot afford to let him identify Talbot's killer. And when he finally uncovers the devastating truth, Martin will be forced to make a fateful decision between catching a sadistic murderer -- and destroying the lives of countless innocent men.