The police break up a dog-fighting ring, and discover a woman's finger inside one of the dead animals. The finger is identified as belonging to Lauren Vance, soon-to-be ex-wife of Marty Vance, after her body turns up near a dog breeder. Since Lauren and her husband were in the process of divorce proceedings, Detectives Ed Green and Cyrus Lupo initially suspect Marty as the brutal murderer. Marty was involved in the dog-fighting ring with friend and business partner Jay Carlin, an extremely wealthy wine dealer. As the investigation unfolds, the detectives plot to trick an ambitious reporter, Dawn Talley, who uses her sexuality to try to break the case. Turns out Jay's business is a scam, which leads prosecutors to a new suspect.