Death Along the Towpath

A morning jog along the C&O Canal Towpath turns fatal when an abandoned minivan explodes. The investigation is assigned to National Park Service Special Agent Pia Isadora Humboldt, a highly competent but emotionally guarded investigator with a tragic past. Paired with a rookie agent, Rob Maquire, Humboldt uncovers a complex crime scene involving a third victim, military-grade weapons, and signs of a clandestine transfer.

The case quickly escalates, drawing in the FBI and ATF and exposing a sophisticated weapons trafficking operation run through the dark web. The prime suspect lives a double life as a major contraband fence. The investigation delves into a web of conspiracy involving corrupt local law enforcement, secret romantic affairs, and long-held grudges. As Humboldt untangles the threads connecting the victims and suspects, she discovers that the true motive is not a criminal enterprise gone wrong but a deeply personal act of jealousy and betrayal with catastrophic consequences.