Nick Starkey, a former New York City police detective, is reluctantly brought back into service to catch a serial killer terrorizing the city. Fired previously for corruption and now working as a firefighter, Nick is pulled back into the force by his estranged brother Frank, who is currently the police commissioner. The mayor pressures Frank to solve the case quickly, especially as his daughter, Christine, is a potential target. Despite their differences and old tensions, Nick accepts the challenge, driven by a sense of justice and the desire to reconcile with his brother.

Nick teams up with his best friend and assistant detective, Ed, to delve into the killer's pattern and uncovers bewildering clues that suggest a sinister and calculated mind at work. The investigation takes various twists as Nick's unconventional methods clash with the more bureaucratic approaches around him. He also rekindles a complicated romantic relationship with Christine, creating further tension in his personal life. Balancing his feelings and his duty, Nick digs deeper into the mystery, navigating a series of red herrings and misleading trails that keep both him and the viewers on edge throughout.