Delaware restaurateur and crime-fiction-fanatic Christian Stone isn't generally superstitious, but a simple ritual has helped him overcome his fear of flying: he has to sit in seat 3A. He's traveling from Philadelphia to Miami when, during takeoff, he looks out the window and spots what appears to be a dead body lying on the banks of the Schuylkill River. A childhood memory resurfaces: when Christian was eleven years old, his best friend was murdered, and the killers were never punished. As a child, he was powerless to seek justice' but he isn't a child anymore.

By the time his plane lands in Miami, he's booked a ticket on the next available return flight. Back in Philadelphia, he heads straight for the banks of the Schuylkill, where he uncovers more questions than answers. Ignoring his daily responsibilities, Christian spends every waking moment following the trail through gambling rings, mysterious fortunes, and rumored mob ties. But when his hunt places him in the crosshairs of a sinister underground crime syndicate, he uncovers a truth that hits closer to home than he could have imagined.