After the harrowing death of his partner, forensic psychologist and best-selling author Alex Cross cannot forgive himself and has retreated to the peace of retirement. But when a brilliant criminal kidnaps a senator's young daughter, he is lured back into action as the kidnapper wants to deal with Alex personally. Teamed with Jezzie Flanigan, the Secret Service agent assigned to protect the missing girl, Alex follows a serpentine trail of clues that leads him to a stunning discovery - the kidnapper wants more than just ransom.

Joseph Grange (Giancarlo Esposito), an unstable fugitive from the law, bursts into the home of suburban housewife Claire Ballard (Sharon Lawrence), and an intense hostage drama begins. Desperate to save her life, Claire initiates a dialogue with Grange as a trigger-happy SWAT team waits outside poised to storm the house. Claire, herself the product of a troubled past, begins to identify with the tormented Grange and, over five tension-filled hours, victim and captor forge an unlikely bond.