The recounting of a terrible crime that wracked a family and galvanized police in South Carolina in the 1980's. Southern beauty pageant winner Dawn Smith is targeted by a sadistic stalker whose obsession with her leads him to kidnap her younger sister.

Ambitious reporter, Liz Bartlett, secretly wishes that Jerry Caper, her business associate were dead. Yet her hidden desire soon becomes a reality when he is brutally murdered. Investigative reporter, Dan Walker is assigned to the murder case and becomes intrigued by the pretty reporter. they begin a passionate affair but Dan can't dispel his suspicion of Liz's guilt. When a second murder is commited, Dan probes deeper, looking for clues in Liz's past. But just as the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, Dan follows a lead, bringing him face to face with the killer in a shocking ending, filled with suspense.