Jack Reacher receives a distress signal from Frances Neagley, his former subordinate from the special investigations unit. She informs him that one of the nine members of their unit has been found dead in the desert near Los Angeles. It appears that he was thrown out of an airplane. All communication with the rest of their colleagues from the unit has been lost. It is possible that they are all dead as well. Who would want to kill these people and for what reason? Reacher begins the investigation, realizing that his own life is also in mortal danger...