When retired FBI forensic psychologist Spencer Berry and his dog break up a scuffle between gang members, in the process of chasing one with a gun, they end up discovering the nude remains of a young woman partially submerged in a creek behind the home of police spokeswoman Deidre Lawrence.

The deceased appears to be the victim of the Park Killer, a serial murderer terrorizing Sinclair Heights, Oregon over the past three years. Divorced and haunted by the death of his twin brother, Wesley, Spencer had been content to play the field, spend time with his daughter, Charity, and teach psychology at the local university. But an instant attraction to Deidre changes all that as their troubled pasts give way to chemistry and pent up passions.

Deidre had been plagued by nightmares ever since her husband, Marshall, and son, Adam, were killed by a carjacker three years ago She recently moved to Sinclair Heights from Houston in hopes of a making a new life for herself. In spite of initial reservations, Deidre finds herself drawn to Spencer Berry as someone she could have a real future with, assuming they can get past disturbing events that threatened to come between them.

Interfering with their burgeoning romance is a stalker and serial killer, each with a different sinister agenda, putting both Deidre and Spencer's life in danger.