Jack Dantzler

Detective Jack Dantzler has no clue why he has been summoned to the prison to meet with the Reverend Eli Whitehouse, a man convicted of committing a double murder 29 years ago. He is stunned when Eli claims to be innocent and wants Dantzler to prove it. But Eli only gives Dantzler a single clue-look at the obituaries in the local paper for a specific two-week period. Reluctantly, Dantzler agrees to look into the case. As he does, two more people are brutally murdered. And although Dantzler isn't aware of it, he is also a target.

Struggling actor Danny Kafka is about to see his dream come true—he’s been hired to play a key role in a big movie to be filmed in Chicago. But when Danny, a Medal of Honor war hero, arrives in the Windy City, he is immediately arrested for the murder of United States Senator Dana Shapiro. And the evidence against him is overwhelming; he’s seen on tape announcing his intention to commit the crime, and his fingerprints are on the murder weapon.

Jack Dantzler is surprised when Kentucky governor Mark Baker calls and requests a late-night meeting. Dantzler is reluctant to say yes, but eventually agrees to the meeting. Dantzler is surprised to learn that the governor is being blackmailed. He’s even more surprised when the governor says he wants Dantzler to find out who is behind the scheme.