As V.I.'s neighbourhood goes upscale, old inhabitants are pressured to fix up their homes or move out; as is the case with old Hattie Frizell. When Hattie has an accident, neighbouring lawyer Todd Pichea and his wife seek to become her legal guardians. Compelled to help Hattie, V.I. starts looking into the Picheas' affairs.



But Hattie isn't her only worry. After Mitch, a friend of V.I.'s neighbour, claims he has information about their old company which will make him rich, his body is found dumped in the Sanitary Canal.



Both problems lead V.I. to a scandal linking one of Chicago's oldest industrial families to union fraud and a politically connected bank. And as her friend Lotty and her own lawyer turn against her, V.I. finds herself dealing with the most serious case of her career.