The provided text details the harrowing journey of Foley, a man on the run after being implicated in a detective's murder, Charles L. Stedman, following a fight. He finds refuge with Suzy Patton, an enigmatic, down-on-her-luck writer, who not only aids his escape but also helps him investigate the true circumstances of Stedman's death. Their investigation uncovers a complex conspiracy involving Ryan Bullard, another "goon" and "ex-con" who worked with a woman named Frances Celaya to meticulously plan Stedman's death, along with the prior "suicide" of another detective, Purcell. The narrative follows Foley as he narrowly escapes capture, evades assailants, and eventually, with Suzy's help, pieces together the puzzle of the killings.