The story of Valerie Foreman during her first two years on the Orlando Police Force. While a beat cop, she stumbles upon and solves a plot by pre-911 jihadis to terrorize Americans. The case is ultimately overshadowed by the events of 911, but her own star as a policeman rises, leading her to become a detective (setting the stage for the sequel). Interlaced with the case is her long distance relationship with her childhood boyfriend, Harold. He is still in the Marines and is stationed at the embassy in Paraguay. Setting: 2000-2001, Orlando, Florida.