A New York gangster is convicted of murder and racketeering and sent to federal prison for life. Shortly after the trial the prosecuting attorney's automobile explodes in front of his residence in Brooklyn. His wife is killed and he is presumed dead. The authorities suspect the gangster's crime family is responsible for the murder but are unable to prove it. The injured attorney is covertly entered into a special federal protection program where he is given a new face and identity - Derreck Drummond. His new career is that of an investigator for the Department of Justice. Over the ensuing months Drummond and his able assistant operating out of Chicago conduct investigations into various crimes around the country and report their findings to DOJ. While doing so Drummond never forgets the death of his wife as he relentlessly pursues a course of revenge. During one of his investigations a twist of fate provides the vehicle by which he is able to extract the justice he so perniciously craved; he was living for this moment.