From the acclaimed author of the Los Angeles Times bestseller Blue Rain comes a gritty and compassionate story that moves from the streets of Los Angeles to the homes of Hollywood's rich and famous.
L.A. reporter Johnny Rose has a history of paying a heavy price for doing the right thing. When faced with a choice between keeping his cushy job as a columnist for a well-respected newspaper and investigating a story that no one wanted told, he chose the story. Now eking out a tougher living at a smaller newspaper. Johnny hasn't changed a bit.
Then he gets a desperate call from his runaway niece, Sara. Although she has always resisted leaving the streets, she suddenly wants to go home and needs his help. Hearing the fear in her voice, Johnny rushes to meet her -- but he's too late. As he pulls up to the curb, a fire rips through abandoned house where Sara and other street kids are "squatting," taking Sara's life. Afterward, Johnny is haunted by lingering questions about the fire and about Sara's life. Why was Sara suddenly so afraid? Why would someone murder a nameless street kid?
Johnny enlists the help of Kate, a dedicated guidance counselor at a shelter for runaways, and scours the streets and alleys of Hollywood for answers. His search quickly leads to Gem, a streetwise and mysterious teenager who shared the burned-out house with Sara and is now a target herself.
Racing to find the truth, Johnny puts his job, and his life, in danger. Powerful enemies and the forces at work in the desperate underground world he uncovers will stop at nothing. including murder, to keep their secrets safe.
