When a suburban high-school grad is drowned along downtown Denver's Platte River, homicide detective Sarah Spillman is called to the scene. Who is the teen, why was she down in this sketchy part of the city late at night, and why would anyone want her dead? Starting with no obvious clues, Sarah and her team begin their investigation, delving into the lives and minds of teenagers, their parents, and even a teacher with questionable ethics, none of whom is eager to talk. Poking and prodding, interviewing and re-interviewing kids and adults alike, Sarah and her partners gradually uncover secrets in the victim's life and identify several suspects, each with a motive to want the young woman dead.As Sarah digs deeper for answers, she realizes that sometimes even a choice that seems insignificant can demand a deadly price.