When Emma Daniels is approached by a stranger and asked to deliver a note about a gallery in Rochester NY to an artist who regularly paints on Siesta Beach, she agrees because the man tells her he's been unexpectedly called out of town. But when the note turns out to be a ransom note for the artist's grandmother, Emma unwittingly becomes involved. Her attempt to help Beth Wilkinson find "Grandy" not only fails but Emma is drawn even further into this deadly game when Beth's body washes ashore after she leaves to deliver the ransom. The police believe Beth's boat capsized during a squall. But Emma has reason not to believe their theory. Once she begins to trace Beth's steps, she finds not only is her own life in jeopardy, but her son Mark has become a target as well.