Ten years ago, Paul Giacomin's corrupt father and loose mother used the boys as a pawn in their violent race: Only Spenser could call them off and straighten out the misled teen - almost getting killed in the process. Paul is now 24 and reconciled to his mother's wanton ways. But when Patty Giacomin vanishes, Paul begs Spenser to help him rescue her from the clutches of her boyfriend, a shady character he's sure coerced his mother into running.

As Spenser - accompanied by Paul, Susan Silverman, and the redoubtable Hawk - follow Patty's trail to its astonishing conclusion, he is led back through Paul's own rites of passage to the lanes of his own memories. The boy Spenser was and the man Paul must become race toward a confrontation that may break their hearts...and threaten their lives.