The owner of a popular jazz club is found shot to death just days after guitarist Ed Ramsey performed there. Ed was recruited by his friend and fellow musician, Dave "Keys" McCarthy, to be in the band backing up a beautiful female vocalist, whose affections were sought by both the club owner, Ron Grafton, and McCarthy. The local sheriff investigating the crime learns that Grafton had been involved in illegal activities, including drug trafficking and real estate fraud, but he can identify no viable suspects. Ed and his wife Tracey wonder if there might be other motives for the killing and do some investigating on their own. It is not long before they are enmeshed in an increasingly complex and sinister mystery.