A surgeon specializing in abortions is killed by sniper fire in his own residence, and while in the presence of his infant daughter. A police investigation among local anti-abortion activists and religious fanatics soon reveals the name of the assassin and some of his contacts. The killer is a former missionary who uses military tactics taught to him by his father, a Vietnam War veteran. He has no permanent residence and his associates do not know the full extent of his plans. When trying to determine the next victim on the killer's hit list, Goren deduces that the killer is going to use his "crusade" as an excuse to settle a personal grudge from his distant past.
—Dimos I