Darby Shaw is a bright young law student who accidently becomes embroiled in a criminal conspiracy. She solves a murder case puzzling America’s most powerful intelligence agencies, but at enormous cost to her wellbeing. Darby’s intellect, self-confidence, and determination allow her to make the most of the resources she has. Whether she is spending four days pouring through old court cases, tracking down witnesses in rehab clinics, or escaping the world’s most feared assassin, she approaches everything with a steely resolve and inner strength.

Darby also has a strong sense of morality. She commits to doing what is right even when she faces immense danger for doing so. Having taken up the law after a formative experience with a bad lawyer after the death of her father, Darby wants to show the world that the law can be a moral force. Drawn to ways of using the law to protect morally sound ideals, Darby is the only person to investigate the environmentalist causes that fuel Mattiece’s criminal activity.

Darby’s morality is challenged throughout the novel. Grantham has the power to help her, but she soon realizes that his methods are often sleazy and remind her of those used by the men pursuing her.