A romantic rendezvous is cut short by a violent home invasion, which leaves young business owner Kelly Knudson bleeding to death on the floor; Lt Joe Kenda is short on leads until he learns of an ex-roommate with an ax to grind.

When martial arts enthusiast Carl Hunt suffers a fatal knife wound to the gut, his friends and neighbors offer few viable leads. But Kenda discovers a cache of blood evidence that proves he's being lied to.