Jane Halifax, forensic psychiatrist, facing a gruelling cross-examination at a murder trial, is contacted by ex-boyfriend, Owen Tozer, ( Andrew McFarlane ), also a psychiatrist. He has been having an affair with a patient, Cori Neal ( Sophie Lee ) and seeks Jane's assistance. Owen's own mental state takes a downward spiral when a pregnant Cori is murdered in a hit-and-run accident. To make matters worse, the car involved belongs to Owen. With the police hunting Owen as their prime suspect, Jane is torn between working within the law and helping her ex.

Two cops, one young and idealistic, the other tough and cynical, are party to the shooting of a criminal. Called to assist the police in their internal investigations, Jane Halifax discovers all is not as it seems. Delving into the murky underworld of organised crime, bribes and corruption, Jane races against time to save innocent lives.

Told in retrospect, Jane is receiving councilling from her analyst after having killed someone. It is Christmas, Jane is alone, feeling vunerable, stressed, suffering from panic attacks, drinking a little too much and to cap it all, is called in to help investigate the case of a mass murderer who has shot the customers in a country diner. There are few survivors who provide little in the way of clues. One man, Ray Harvey, the local garage mechanic, is their best hope, but he is a reformed alcoholic, who has fallen off the wagon as a result of the shooting. Detective Eric Ringer works with Jane and falls for her. On New Year's Eve, Eric arrives at Jane's apartment, finding her somewhat under the influence of drink. They end up in bed. Afterwards, Jane is at her lowest ebb. She takes Eric's gun and puts it in her mouth - echoing her father's suicide. Shaking her out of her depression is a call from Ray asking for her assistance.

When gossip colominist for A-list magazine, Simon Laser, walks into a police station claiming that his murdered lover, prominent judge, Harvey Masters, died in his arms, he is treated with suspicion from the start. Not only was Masters seemingly happily married, he was also known for his strong conservative beliefs. Laser claims their affair was kept a secret and that the killer is out to avenge him by killing those closest to him. It is up to forensic psychiatrist Jane Halifax to determine if Laser is telling the truth, or if something more sinister is lurking under the surface.