Mike Owen, a contractor from Ohio, is building a large project in northwest Pennsylvania. A beautiful engineer, Ann Lane, manages Shaffer, the company supplying the project's concrete. Mike's interested in more than a business relationship with his concrete supplier's manager. So is a rival contractor who wants Ann dead. Ann Lane understands that when evil strikes, you'll only get a moment to save your life. Best have the appropriate tool at hand. Against a backdrop of a missing college girl, fraudulent material substitution, and death threats, Ann and Mike confront enemies who consider rape and murder just additional techniques for improving profits.