Assistant D.A. Jeanne Gautier and Detective Boyle receive the assignment to solve the murder of a high school honors student found in the marsh in by two fishermen in New Orleans. They follow the usual leads from friends, school and work leading to dead ends. When they find a suspect with no ties to the victim, they start to develop a case. Before they can make an arrest, the suspect is murdered and they must solve both cases to find out who is behind the first killing. They become entwined with local corruption that places their lives in danger.