In a gritty, sun-drenched Los Angeles, a weary detective named Phil Gaines navigates the city's underbelly, haunted by the seediness of his surroundings and his own disillusionment. Assigned to investigate the mysterious death of a young woman washed ashore on a Malibu beach, Gaines is initially dismissive, viewing it as another routine case waiting to be buried under the sand of bureaucratic apathy. However, the case takes a personal turn when he encounters the woman's father, Marty, who is unwilling to accept the official report of an accidental overdose. Marty's relentless pursuit of justice stirs something within Gaines, compelling him to dig deeper into the victim's world, a move that strains his already tense relationship with Nicole, his sophisticated European girlfriend who balances her own difficult life as an escort.

As the investigation unfolds, it reveals a tangled web of corruption and vice stretching from the glitzy mansions of the elite to the shadowy corners of the criminal world. Gaines finds himself at odds with powerful figures who would prefer the case to disappear quietly. Partnered with a younger, more eager detective, he chases elusive clues that lead him to question everything about his job, his city, and himself. Tensions rise as they delve into a sordid network of deceit involving drugs, politics, and human lives spun into tales designed to cover darker truths. With time running out, Gaines must navigate this treacherous field while struggling to hold onto his own integrity in a world where everyone has something to hide.