While Del Whipple is pursuing his hobby of gold prospecting in the desert near Phoenix, Arizona, he comes across an old abandoned gold mine. Entering to check it out, he finds that it is being used to process large quantities of methamphetamine. When he surprises the occupants, he is captured, almost killed, and left to die. After many days of captivity, he escapes and sets out to bring the perpetrators to justice. At the DEA, where he works as a computer specialist, hHe is able to convince his superiors to put him on the case as an investigative agent. His trail leads to more than the people who personally caused him harm. As a result of his investigation, the DEA is able to the apprehend a major meth drug ring.
As an investigative agent, one of Del's first tasks is to set up a surveillance operation on Dr. O., the primary meth manufacturer. Dr. O., who is well known among meth dealers throughout the southwest and beyond, is clever and has many ways to avoid being caught. Eventually, Del befriends him. This results in Del becoming an undercover operator working for Dr. O., thereby collecting information on numerous dealers, as well as the methods of their successful operation.
The chase takes Del and other agents throughout the southwest. When he is on the verge of being apprehended, Dr. O. flees to China via his cartel contacts in Mexico. The trip itself is an adventure. When he arrives in China, it doesn't take him long to start up his old business.
Dr. O. has a small dog that never leaves his side, which occasionally brings the reader's interest to less serious matters. In the process, the mongrel sets up her own suspenseful mystery. She makes a narrow escape and winds up in a nice home.
