Finn Delaney never heard of Hart Island before he began the investigation. Within a few weeks he wished he would never hear the name of the island again.

The Allen Foundation is one of the most important scientific charities in the country, giving an annual five-million-dollar grant that can make or break a researcher's career. Dr. Myron McDaniel, CEO of the McDaniel Group is poised to win the award with his breakthrough research on Alzheimer's Disease. There is just one obstacle standing in the way of the five million dollars - Finn Delaney.

With his own private investigations company bringing in no income, private eye Finn Delaney is making a living as a subcontractor for Franklin Holdings, a major insurance broker. Most of his cases involve investigations of accidents at construction sites, but when another investigator meets an untimely death on a New York City subway station, Finn is charged with taking over the background investigation of the McDaniel Group. As soon as Finn submits a favorable report, Dr. McDaniel will be awarded the grant money. There's just one small problem for Finn to overcome - Murder!