San Francisco's Assistant District Attorney, David Corelli, finds himself embroiled in a complex murder investigation when prominent businessman Kyle Medford is discovered brutally killed in his home, an antique hatchet being the murder weapon. As detectives Bob Hargrove and Petey Vesko dive into the case, they uncover scandalous photographs of Governor Lew Edwards in compromising situations with a prostitute named Patrice Jacinto. Patrice reveals that Medford had orchestrated an arrangement where he paid her and other women to engage with wealthy clients at his lavish beach house in Pacifica. According to her, the most sought-after among them was a mysterious woman known only as "Jade."
In a private discussion with Governor Edwards and aide Bill Barrett, Corelli receives a stern warning against publicizing the scandalous images. Shortly after, he narrowly escapes death when his car's brake line is sabotaged, sending him careening down a perilous hill.
Investigations lead to Katrina 'Trina' Gavin, a clinical psychologist and former lover of Corelli, whose fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. Trina claims that Medford had merely given her a tour of his collection on the day of the crime, denying any foul play. However, the detectives, alongside Corelli, discover an appalling scene at Medford’s beach house—filled with drugs, alcohol, sex toys, and hidden cameras—suggesting Medford’s intention was to blackmail his high-profile clients through recordings of illicit encounters. Corelli is left stunned when he spots Trina on one of the tapes, igniting an intense investigation into her involvement.
The plot thickens when Patrice arranges to meet Corelli to shed light on Jade's identity, only to be tragically killed in a hit-and-run by a shadowy figure driving a black 1993 Ford Thunderbird. Corelli, who witnesses the crime, gives chase but fails to catch the culprits. Suspicion quickly turns towards the Gavins when investigators discover they own a similar vehicle, leading them to contemplate Trina's motive for Patrice's death. However, when the car involved in the hit-and-run is found abandoned, it becomes clear that someone is attempting to frame Trina.
During a subsequent interrogation, Trina is shown the incriminating sex tape. Her husband, Matt Gavin, who also serves as her attorney, cuts off the questioning before she can reveal her connection. In a tense confrontation at home, Trina confesses to Matt about her encounter on tape, informed by his own many betrayals.
Seeking clarity, Trina approaches Corelli in his apartment, attempting to rekindle their past affair, and expresses feelings of liberation from her experiences at the beach house. Meanwhile, a key witness, Henderson, is murdered, but Corelli proves Trina's innocence, as they were together at the time of the witness's death.
Things escalate when Matt confronts Corelli at his apartment, brandishing a gun and accusing him of an affair with Trina. Corelli refutes the claims, convincing Matt that Trina's life is at stake. The two rush to the Gavin residence, where chaos unfolds as Detective Hargrove, Pat Callendar, and Barrett attempt to kill Trina and retrieve the governor’s photos. A gunfight ensues, resulting in several casualties, including Hargrove, killed by Matt.
Desperate, Corelli seeks a meeting with Governor Edwards for a guarantee of Trina's safety by threatening to expose the photographs. Edwards, however, feigns ignorance of Hargrove and Callendar's actions, hinting that they acted with his approval.
In a chilling conclusion, as Trina prepares for bed at home, she discovers explicit photographs of herself from the beach house laid out in her bathroom. Matt reveals the shocking truth—he murdered Medford to prevent future blackmail, further chilling Trina with his chilling request to "introduce me to Jade" during their next intimate moment.
