When Alex Delaware first saw Lauren Teague she was a sullen teenager with the usual problems: bad grades at school, moody, uncommunicative with her parents - which is why they thought she needed to see a psychologist. Years later, Lauren has vanished, Alex reluctantly agrees investigate and is drawn into the shadowy worlds of fringe psychological experimentation and LA's seedy sex industry. Sensing that Lauren's dark family secrets may hold the key to her disappearance, Alex disregards the advice of his trusted friend, LAPD detective Milo Sturgis, not to get involved. As his quest for the truth beomes an obsession, he is prepared to risk his relationship with long-time lover Robin Castagna, and even his own life...