Prologue, Chapters 1 - 4 Summary

Kay Fischer, the protagonist of the novel as well as the narrator, is an architect in Los Angeles in 1936. In Chapter Two, she discloses that she lives in Long Beach, is thirty-two years old, and divorced. She is 5'6" tall and has dull brown hair and bright brown eyes. Kay's business is nearly bankrupt due to nefarious actions by her ex-partner Eric Meyersen who stole most of her money and portfolio for his own gain. Kay spends many hours with her attorney, George Fugal, trying to rebuild her business. Meanwhile in Chapter Three, Kay's ex-husband, Philip Brockman, calls her frequently to ask for small money loans. Kay then meets a man who introduces himself as Salvador Carriscant, and claims to be her biological father.

In Chapter Four, Kay travels to her mother's home, also in Long Beach, to reassure...