A brutally beaten woman is brought to a Stockholm hospital. Lidia Grayauskas, a Lithuanian native, a prostitute—nothing else is known about her beyond that. Barely coming to herself, the girl takes hostages and threatens to blow up the hospital. The same day, a serious crime is committed in the hospital by a gunman from a mafiа group. Many years ago, it was due to him that the fiancé of Commissioner Grens suffered terrible injuries and forever lost his mind. Two investigations led by Grens suddenly converge at one culminating point. Thus arises a monstrous tangle of hatred, long-standing enmity, humiliation, betrayal, and revenge.