Visiting a mall with her mother, little Kristal was torn from her mother's grasp and murdered by 12-year-old Troy Turner and 13-year-old Randolph "Rand" Duchay. Troy didn't survive his stretch, but the recently released Rand, now 21, wants to see psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware, who examined him during his trial. Unfortunately, someone murders Rand before the two can meet An investigation by Delaware and LAPD detective Milo Sturgis reveals that there was more to the circumstances of Kristal's death than was apparent at the time. This is the 19th thriller in the Alex Delaware series.