Any discussion of the role of the police in society must eventually address the character of those persons who are police officers, and the extent to which they create and interpret the laws they uphold, rather than simply following them. Although the characters in the novel are largely moral, the novel nonetheless blurs, more than in previous Griffin novels, the line between right and wrong. Discussion of these issues in terms of the characters in the novel and their actions will eventually lead to an examination of the larger social issues involved in the novel.

1. Why do Charley McFadden and Jesus Martinez spend their own time looking for Captain Moffitt's killer?

What does this say about them as persons? As police officers?

2. What do you think of Peter Wohl's not saying anything when Natali disposes of the illegal ammunition from Moffitt's gun?

3. What are Matt Payne's...