Jennifer is a former NYPD homicide detective and co-owner with her former FBI agent husband, of a corporate investigative business. But, is spending time on the beach at Pawley's Island in South Carolina attempting to recover from the tragic automobile accident that took the life of her husband and daughter. While walking barefoot on the beach, she steps on a partially buried key in the sand. Coincidentally she later finds that the key opens a post office box near her own. The secrets found in that box lead to a trail of intrigue, drug trafficking and murder.

Meanwhile, a romance begins when, shortly after stepping on the key, she waves to a shy, good-looking man walking the beach with his Golden Retriever. She's initially attracted to him, in spite of trying to avoid any relationships so soon after her husband's death. A romantic relationship begins to develop, while at the same time they combine their talents in the investigation of a murder.