Homicide cop Rita Cates takes a murder case where the victim is a Las Vegas stripper. The investigation immediately takes a perverse turn when she discovers the prime suspect: a psychotic ex-cop with whom she once had a torrid affair. That initial affair drove Cates' husband to suicide, but it doesn't stop her from picking up where she left off. In the heat of passion, she jeopardizes the case, her career and her life.

Sam Dietz, the relentless police detective, returns to Los Angeles from a self-imposed exile to help the police solve another series of brutal killings committed by another crafty serial killer whom targets Dietz's latest love interest.