Detective Malcolm O'Reilly peruses travel brochures as he draws near retirement, when a bizarre discovery leads to the case of his life, a case of murder and horrific captivity. Esperanza Perez is an unlikely informant who surfaces. She has a troubled past, and her troubles become much worse when she must flee. Resolving the case takes Malcolm high into the Andes, and down to the desert floor. It takes him to the brink of his physical limits, and into his own painful past. Who will find Esperanza first? Malcolm? El Pulpo, the unconventional local police task force? Or will the crazed perpetrator who Esperanza can put away forever find her first?