Michael Brennan is a cop in pursuit of a serial rapist-and the rapist has targeted Natasha Panova, the love of Michael's life. Ocean City, Maryland is a gemstone among the east coast resorts, a city of old values and older sins. In 1994 a predator moves at will through a town overflowing with tourists, and it appears that he's a cop. Or is he? Michael is a compassionate ladies man. He takes a personal interest in the vicious but seemingly unrelated attacks because he is a pro, and because he's known abuse. Two others are drawn into the hunt: Michael's courageous friend Officer Levi Hart, and Natasha-a brilliant waitress who dances to a logical beat. Levi knows one of the victims-but he's reluctant to say why-and Natasha knows that she is next on the rapist's list. Together, they trace the clues. As Michael closes in he discovers that he's become a suspect, and when a jealous coworker threatens to derail the investigation, he realizes that his crusade for justice may cost him his soul, Levi his honor, and Natasha her life. When Michael finally confronts the rapist, he turns out to be someone who was there all along-but nobody noticed.