Chapter 1 Summary

Dave Robicheaux is a cop with the New Orleans police department. Dave is a recovering alcoholic who believes himself to be one of the last honest cops left on the job. Dave tries to live his life according to his morals but finds it more and more difficult with each passing day.

Dave is at Angola Penitentiary to visit Johnny Massina, a convicted murderer who is about to be put to death for throwing a young woman out the window of a hotel room. After talking a little about the past and telling a story about Dave's younger brother, Jimmy, Johnny tells Dave why he asked him to the prison. Johnny says that he has heard a rumor that some guys are looking to have Dave killed. Johnny does not know why but offers the name Wesley Potts as the source of the...