Michael Raines uses his imagination to "discuss" the case of a murdered young woman with the victim. She was found shot in the back in a parking lot surrounded by cash. Raines soon discovers the woman was a prostitute, but was using her skills to save money to help her mother start a new life. Among the suspects: her possibly abusive father, a private detective she was working with, a man she was possibly having an affair with, (and his wife). Motives might include blackmail, jealousy, greed, or just a random crime.As well as bouncing his ideas off the dead woman, Raines also discusses his ideas with his former partner, who was shot on duty and is no longer with the police force.