W Nyu-Yorke pohishena Keit Lein, ghena bisnesmena Edwarda Leina. Biwshy woyenny policeisky Dghek Ritcher stanowitsa newolnim swidetelem togo, kak pohititeli sabiraut wikup. On predlagayet Leinu swou pomosh w oswoboghdenii Keit, i tot soglashayetsa, no stawit odno uslowiye: nikakoi policii. Okasiwayetsa, pat let nasad totchno tak ghe bila pohishena perwaa ghena Leina, kotoruu posghe nashli mertwoi is-sa oshibki, dopushennoi febeerowcami. Natchaw rassledowaniye, Ritcher obnarughiwayet, tchto meghdu dwuma etimi prestupleniami sushestwuyet samaa tesnaa swas. Li Haild - odin is lutchshih sowremennih awtorow, rabotaushih w ghanre detektiwa-ekshn. yego geroi Dghek Ritcher stal poistine kultowoi figuroi, woplosheniyem nesgibayemogo geroa-detektiwa.