Paul Nichols, a long-time member of the Cosa Nostra, over 30 years organized the mob’s illegal gambling network. He kills Denton, a Mafia member who has been skimming off the top. But the killing was done without a vote from the Cosa Nostra’s « commission. » Complicating the situation: Nichols has taken possession of « the book, » a list of codes necessary to the running of the gambling operation. The FBI learns through an informant that Nichols may be participating in a high-stakes poker game. Erskine recruits Doc Cameron, once a successful gambler who was nearly killed by the mob. Cameron also has been invited to the poker game and Erskine goes undercover as Cameron’s « silent partner. » The Cosa Nostra’s commission, meanwhile, decides to hire hit men who will murder everyone at the poker game and make a grab for « the book. »