Heaven’s Prisoners

A former police detective and Vietnam veteran living in Louisiana’s swamplands, Dave is a haunted, hard-edged man who fights to solve a dangerous crash case while battling alcoholism. His tough exterior masks guilt over the past and a fierce determination to protect his family. As the investigation deepens, he confronts brutal criminals and the moral cost of vengeance.

Dave’s wife, a practical and caring partner who steps into danger to save a drowning Salvadoran child. Her love anchors Dave and offers a peaceful counterpoint to the violence around them. Her murder becomes the emotional catalyst that drives Dave’s vigilante path.

Dave’s former girlfriend and a dancer who remains involved as the investigation unfolds. Robin embodies loyalty and complicates Dave’s personal life, offering aid and unresolved feelings. She navigates the line between aid and risk in a world of crime.

A close ally turned drug kingpin who runs criminal operations in the area. Bubba’s pride and stubbornness complicate his friendship with Dave as the case spirals into personal danger. His loyalty to family is tested by the violent blasts around him.

Claudette is Bubba’s wife and a calculating figure who schemes to take over the drug business. Her manipulation contributes to the cascade of violence and betrayals that push the story toward its climactic confrontations. She underestimates Dave and his resolve.

The couple’s adopted daughter, a symbol of innocence caught in a world of crime. Her presence gives Dave a direct motivation to protect a future beyond vengeance. She becomes a quiet center of the story as danger closes in.

A thug who assaults Dave early on, signaling the danger that follows the investigation. His violence reinforces the threat the protagonists face. His fate demonstrates the brutal costs of crossing the criminal world.

One of the killers who serves the larger network, representing the ruthless enforcement arm of the drug operation. His relentless pursuit of power escalates the conflict. His eventual encounter with Dave marks another turning point in the vendetta.

A large, impulsive killer whose street confrontation ends in tragedy. He embodies the brutal, kinetic violence that drives the investigation forward. His death on the streetcar underscores the consequences of the vendetta.

A mob figure connected to Bubba within the drug network, representing the layered criminal influence at work in the region. His presence signals the reach of organized crime beyond the core players.