With one bullet, everything that Inspector Lynley held dear in life has been destroyed. But there was more than one victim in this crime. 11-year-old Joel Campbell relies on his wits to survive. All he wants is to protect his younger brother from the tough hand fate has dealt them, and to stop his older sister from ending up in jail - or worse. The threats are everywhere on the London sink estate where they live. But so are the offers to hope. And when Joel meets Cal Hancock, he knows he's found the answer to all his problems. Cal is bodyguard to the Blaze, the neighbourhood's most powerful and dangerous man. And if Joel can help him geht what he wants, then maybe the Blaze will use his power and influence to help Joel in return...