Former military cop Jack Reacher is in north-eastern Virginia, near Washington, D.C. at the headquarters of his old unit, the 110th MP. He is there to meet - in person - the new commanding officer, Major Susan Turner, so far just a warm, intriguing voice on the phone. But it isn't Turner behind the CO's desk. And Reacher is hit with two pieces of shocking news, one with serious criminal consequences, and one too personal to even think about. When threatened, you can run or fight.