Freelance editor/writer Colin Gunderson is summoned to the family home in Pasadena by his uncle and former guardian, William Benton. When Colin arrives, he finds Bill on a couch, weakened by a stroke. Bill is transported to a local hospital where, before being taken to the intensive care ward he mumbles a few cryptic words to Colin and dies before the day is out. Colin is determined to learn the meaning of his final seemingly illogical words. He...