Middle-aged Charlie Bell, a crippled watchman at a railroad crossing, sees a woman thrown out of passing train. He takes the injured woman, and the briefcase she was clutching, with him in search of a phone. She's a reporter, and the briefcase contains papers that could destroy a corrupt Senator. But before Charlie can get her help, a thug attacks them and kills her. Now Charlie is relentlessly pursued through the Chicago underworld by cops who think he's a murderer...and killers intent on silencing him.

"A remarkable first novel by a powerful new writer. Compassion, sustained excitement, and acute observation of the Chicago locale make for a moving story." New York Times

"It has everything a mystery should have, but it goes one step further." Pittsburgh Press

"Wagoner's story is just as relentless as the forces groping and clutching for the doomed man." Richmond Times-Dispatch