When Cheryl Brantner's children find her dead in the bathtub, Lt. Joe Kenda must determine whether her death is the result of an accident or something worse; a gathering of tattoo artists turns ugly, leaving Philip Titus dead.

Vietnam War veteran Charles Walker is found unconscious after a stabbing attack so savage even 45 units of blood cannot save his life; it's up to Lt. Joe Kenda to follow the bloody trail of clues and piece together the victim's last moments.