New Orleans homicide cop Nick Saladino used to be an idealist. But exposure to the city's underbelly has left him jaded and cynical. He substitutes nightlife and alcohol for a home life with his wife and children, eroding their love and leading to inevitable personal consequences. His close friend and drinking buddy, Assistant D.A. Steve Chaisson, never had a love life before taking up with the woman of his dreams: educated, gorgeous, sexy, loving Julie Landry. But Steve senses that keep her in his life would be like caging a beautiful exotic animal. When Nick becomes aware of a serial killer buried deep in the workings of the city's criminal justice system, someone with ties to many prominent citizens, the two friends must bind together to ferret out the killer without alerting the city's powerful politicians, who can stop their investigation and their careers.