"The ring rested on the soapstone vanity in Greta's powder room where Rose must have left it when she washed her hands. The deep green of the emerald and sparkle of the diamonds caught the light from the crystal chandelier and shot shafts of green and gold onto the tiled walls. The small room smelled of lavender soap overlaid by a faint whiff of urine, probably Rose's."Thus begins Martha's story. She has maintained an image of comfortable middle-class ease for years, but since she retired it has become more difficult. The valuable ring is a short-term answer to her financial problems. But the theft of the ring creates a domino effect. While Martha finds new friends and even romance, she also must hide from both the police and a drug cartel. She goes from living a little lie, to making a rash decision which turns her entire existence into relentless duplicity, danger, fear, and loss. Will Martha survive her secret life?