When a famous philosopher vanishes, his estranged son must summon the detective skills that failed him in his darkest hour. Three years ago, Jack was a brilliant young detective with the LAPD. Now he plays poker to make ends meet, and to forget the horrific event that ended his police career. Out of the blue Jack gets a call from his father Joseph Pearl, a distinguished Harvard professor who is in Los Angeles for a philosophy conference. The two haven't spoken in years yet Pearl seems anxious to discuss some matter in person, behavior strangely out of character for the emotionally-distant dad...