1964 isn't shaping up to be a banner year for Tacoma Police Captain Thomas Gaston. A childhood friend has been murdered. Gaston has been charged with helping to bomb his favorite watering hole. He has been stripped of command of the TPD's detective bureau and replaced by his best friend. His wife has tried to skewer his boss with a pair of shears. His father has suffered a stroke. Two shadowy figures may be trying to kill him. A black trusty is about to reveal he's not what he appears to be. And Gaston's girlfriend is working on a book of poetry. How could things get any worse?