The story reveals many of the true crimes in the fitness industry as well as a murder. The main character finds he is in business with someone who has been hiding his true identity. The evolution of the health club industry in the early 70as is displayed when Dubois starts as an instructor for a health club. Making mistakes along the way, he builds a chain of clubs in Texas only to lose them to a mentor. Finding another chance to do it right, he is shocked to find he has ended up in a similar situation. The man with the hidden identity offers Dubois assistance when Dubois finds himself at the scene of a murder. Numerous characters appear to be possibly responsible. The main character is also going through a serious time with his personal life as he and his wife try to have children. They find out that after many tests the only possibility they have is through in vitro fertilization.