Conflict of Interest

A seasoned homicide detective who never fully recovered from his wife Patty’s murder seven years earlier. He returns to the force with a fragile sobriety and a fierce drive to protect his son, even if it means bending rules. His grief fuels a single-minded pursuit of Gideon, straining his relationships at work and at home.

A charismatic but ruthless club owner who hides a violent criminal operation behind a veneer of music and nightlife. He uses alibis and intimidation to protect his employees and his illicit deals, and he singles out Jason as a means to manipulate the Flannery family. His cruelty culminates in a dramatic, explosive confrontation.

A tough, independent girl tangled in the heavy metal scene who becomes Jason’s girlfriend. She is drawn into Gideon’s orbit but remains loyal to Jason, sharing a complicated alliance that defies simple labels. Her choices test her relationship with both Gideon and Jason as danger closes in.

Patty and Mickey’s son, raised largely apart from his father, who falls under Gideon’s spell and gets tangled in the club’s danger. He seeks refuge and loyalty from his father but is pulled between protection and independence. His inadvertent involvement becomes a pivot point in the conflict.

A stubborn, aggressive detective who clashes with Mickey and pursues Gideon’s activities with relentless skepticism. His interactions reveal the strain between personal ambition and professional duty, and his actions push the investigation toward dangerous territory.

The precinct captain who imposes strict rules and pressures Mickey to bend back to protocol. He becomes a constant obstacle as Mickey chases Gideon, representing institutional resistance to outside-the-box justice.

Mickey’s old friend and a key player in the car-deal ring who ultimately confesses his role in Patty’s murder. He embodies the story’s theme of betrayal by someone close and reveals how crime can corrupt a tight-knit circle.