An integral part of this team is Mike's partner, Mercer Wallace. Alex's role on the team is to make certain no procedural errors are committed which could be fatal to the prosecution. She is also there to lend the investigative weight of the state through subpoena power. Immediately, it is obvious that this hospital is not a safe place to be. In the search for suspects, a labyrinth of tunnels housing a number of homeless people is discovered underneath the facility.
Next door is a psychiatric care facility with direct access into the building.
Because of the incredibly lax security at the hospital, a random attack on Dr. Dogen could have come from anywhere. Not to be ignored in the search are those who could have a motive. There are many hospital employees, any of whom could be harboring grudges or secret agendas, together with friends and an ex-husband. There is considerable chemistry between Mike, Mercer and Alex, and their rapport as they work together is that of old friends. Fairstein writes believable dialogue that is neither too cute, nor too sarcastic.