Tom Ludlow is a disillusioned LAPD Vice Detective who is struggling to cope with the death of his wife and uses questionable tactics to catch criminals. He is a valued member of his unit, led by the charismatic Captain Jack Wander, who turns a blind eye to Ludlow's often violent methods. Ludlow’s loyalty and methods are put to the test when he is implicated in the murder of his former partner, Terrence Washington, who was suspected of being a snitch and was set to expose corruption within the force. Feeling betrayed and under scrutiny, Ludlow finds himself in a web of lies and corruption.

With his reputation on the line, Ludlow sets out to find Washington's killers and clear his name. He is reluctantly aided by a young homicide detective, Detective Diskant, and, Captain Biggs, an Internal Affairs agent watching Ludlow’s every move. The deeper Ludlow digs, the more extensive the corruption seems, reaching high into the ranks of his own department. His quest puts him at odds with the brotherhood he has always been a part of and forces him to question the loyalties of everyone around him.