Benjamin Worth is awakened at three in the morning by the police who inform him that his brother, Gene, was shot during a warehouse break-in. Gene had caused misery and pain all through their lives, but Benjamin reluctantly accepts the responsibility for the burial. Benjamin tries to shut out anything related to his brother from his life. Others--a police detective, his brother's girlfriend, and a reporter--force him into reliving his relationship with Gene.

Benjamin slowly uncovers secrets about Gene's life. He sets up his own version of reward and revenge by turning everyone against one other--cop against cop, gang member against gang member. In doing so, Benjamin runs into blackmail and murder and finds out more than he wants to about himself and the detective. Guilt and remorse drive him to the ultimate solution.