Introduction: Hollywood art director Lila Harper has recently remarried her ex-husband, journalist Jack Harper. Their second honeymoon takes an unexpected turn when they leave the glamorous streets of Beverly Hills for the gritty backdrop of Long Beach. A visit to the seedy Mirage Lounge leads to Jack vanishing into the night with a stunning blonde. By morning, she is found dead, and suspicion falls squarely on Jack. As Evelyn struggles to clear his name, she uncovers a tangled web of secrets suggesting Jack has resumed his work with the shadowy Department X. A cast of enigmatic characters, including a scandal-ridden film director, a riverboat journalist from Jack's past, and the sinister Major Wellington, weave through the narrative, each bringing their own dark intrigue and dangerous secrets....