RCMP Sergeant Tim Murphy of the Vancouver Island District Investigative Research Unit is seconded to the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner and sent to the Sumas Police Department to review an inadequate department police complaint investigation. Murphy's inquiries lead to a brutal attack by the officer being investigated, followed by an angry dispute with the Sumas police chief. Murphy is subsequently sent home to Victoria where he is assigned a cold murder case. His investigation uncovers startling clues that a rogue Sumas police officer may be working for the Vipers, a powerful organized criminal gang, and he could be responsible for the murder.