Content Warning: This section includes discussions of alcohol use disorder, child abuse, murder, death by suicide, stalking, and psychological manipulation.

It is April 1, 2022. In Seattle, Washington, Violent Crimes Detective Frank Rossi meets his partner, Billy Ford, at a crime scene. Cliff Larson has been brutally murdered—through repeated blows to the head—in his accounting office. Rossi recognizes the name but can’t place it. He knows that he, Billy, and everyone else who saw the body will see it in their nightmares.

On June 2, 2023, Keera Duggan sits in a Seattle courtroom, hoping that her father, Patrick “Patsy” Duggan, will return from lunch. They are trying a case together, defending one of his friends against a drunk driving charge. Over the years, Patsy has earned the nickname “Irish Brawler” for his aggressive courtroom style and, as a result, has many enemies among his opposing counsel and judges. If he is late to court, he won’t be given any leeway by the judge, who had butted heads with Patsy in the past as a lawyer. In addition, Patsy’s alcohol use disorder is well-known, and Keera worries that if he does return, he will be inebriated.