Out for a run in the woods along, 16-year-old Christy Palmer witnesses a contract killing and gets a clear look at the executioner. With a passerby's help, she's able to get away and tell the police what she saw. With her identification, Homicide Detectives Reagan West and Boyce are able to apprehend the killer, Karl Harvey, a known drug kingpin. Despite not handling what she witnessed as well as she says, Christy wants to do whatever she can to help put Harvey away, including testifying at his trial. Christy's mother, insurance-company regional-manager Sarah Palmer, isn't as sure about letting Christy testify, fearing for her safety. And this concern is well-founded: as much as West and Boyce try to assure her that they can protect her and Christy, Harvey--aided by unknown outside associates--seems able to thwart the police-protection measures in his attempts to harm or kill Sarah and Christy. Sarah finally decides that she and Christy should go on the run without telling West or Boyce, only getting initial help from Sarah's best friend Molly, including cash and her car, as Sarah and Christy must live as much off-the-grid as possible, which means no payment by plastic or use of electronics, and they can't tell anyone even Molly, where they're going. However, Harvey has help from one of Sarah's trusted contacts, as Sarah is unaware of that person's connection to the man who is trying to kill her and her daughter.