In 1984, the students at Tear Falls High School in Northern Ontario were terrorized by a group of four bullies who used any means possible to exert control over their peers. Their favorite targets were four best friends-Kevin, Doug, Art, and Nelson-and the abuse was relentless.

Nearly forty years later, Kevin has died by suicide and Doug is diagnosed with a fatal disease. Now living in Southern Ontario, the three men try to move forward with an exciting new business venture, but the trauma of these recent events causes old, high school memories to resurface. How much did the abuse impact who the men became? Have they overcome their anger and their shame?

One day, the men read in the newspaper that one of their high school bullies has been murdered. Hamilton detective Tim Bennet begins to investigate, uncovering a disturbing detail about the way the victim died. In a matter of months, a second and then a third bully is murdered. Who is executing these men, and why are they leaving such an alarming calling card? Is there time to catch the killer and save the fourth man in the group of bullies . . . the kingpin? Or will his death finally bring closure?