The story of a womanβs obsession with money...power...prestige; married to a man with a shocking, secret past. Β Well-known, wealthy novelist, Paul Laszlo is found dead in his luxurious Hollywood Hills mansion, apparently the victim of a suicide. Β Upon further investigation by LAPD detectives, Joe Mallory and Derek Brooks, the suicide theory is ruled out. Β A ballistics report indicates Laszlo was murdered; a single gunshot wound to the head. Β An intense investigation follows, with Diane Laszlo, the victimβs wife, as the prime suspect. Β The detectives zero-in on Mrs. Laszlo primarily because her first husband died in a mysterious boating accident, leaving her with an insurance settlement of $500,000. Β In a divorce settlement with her second husband, Diane gained custody of their teen-aged son and a lump sum of $200,000. Β Further probing into her background, reveals that Mrs. Laszlo was manipulative, a gross opportunist, a woman who would stop at nothing to get what she wants. Β With greed as her motive, Mallory suspects Diane may have been involved in Laszloβs death, but the detectives donβt have a shred of evidence to arrest her.The storyβs subplot involves the murder of a black prostitute at a Sunset Boulevard motel. Β This is followed by a raid on an East L.A. apartment where the suspect, Juan Comacho manages to elude the police. Β Later, Comacho is arrested in a Spanish Harlem bar and extradited back to California by NYPD Det. Brad Shaner. Β It is here that the two plots intersect. Β Offering a fresh look, a new perspective on the Laszlo murder, Shaner joins Mallory in reviewing the case file. Β Viewing autopsy photos, Shaner recognizes Laszlo from a sexual assault arrest made in New York, almost twenty-eight years before. Β At that time he was known as Paul Barac. Β As the climax approaches, Mark, Laszloβs stepson is interrogated. Β In a tearful confession (told in flashback) the sixteen-year-old boy relates a year of sexual molestation by Laszlo, ending in Markβs desperate attempt to end it all...by killing his stepfather.
