Hallie Knight is summoned to a historic seaport town by Nicholas Trench,
the critically ill grandfather of her former college roommate. Months
earlier, Trench's granddaughter Susan mysteriously disappeared from his
home and all attempts to learn her fate have failed. He feels that if
anyone can find Susan, it will be this woman who was his granddaughter's
closest friend.
If Hallie is to succeed, though, it won't be with the help of the
suspicious relatives who surround the old man. With Susan out of the
picture, who among them stands to inherit Trench's money? And why does
Hallie suddenly feel so vulnerable in this outwardly peaceful seaside
town?