It has been four years since Patrick Lanigan, a junior partner in a law firm based in
Biloxi, Mississippi, learned of the scheme, masterminded by his firm's client, shipbuilding magnate Benny Aricia, to defraud the U.S. government via inflated and falsified contracts for the construction of
U.S. Navy vessels. The firm's senior partners didn't include Lanigan in the plan, in which they stood to earn millions laundering the ill-gotten gains. Lanigan then devised a plan of his own, wherein he faked his death, stole $90 million from the secret offshore accounts where the firm had been hiding the ill-gotten gains, and then fled to
South America. Since then, Lanigan started a new life with new-found love Eva. But Aricia has never forgotten the man who betrayed him and soon, his men find the former partner with intentions to do whatever it takes to recover the money. In a desperate bid, Lanigan gives
power of attorney over his estate to Eva, then turns himself over to the
FBI. Once returned to the U.S., Lanigan must fight multiple legal battles, in state, civil and federal courts, involving a former client, his estranged wife, and the highest levels of government, to protect the people he cares for, gain his freedom and, finally get back to Eva and the part of the fortune they secretly set aside. Patrick essentially defeats all legal claims against him. But then Eva disappears with his remaining money, leaving him alone in Brazil. ==Critical reception==