Frank Machianno is the guy, a late-middle-aged ex-surf bum whoruns a bait shack on the San Diego waterfront. That's when he'snot juggling any of his other three part-time jobs or trying to get aquick set in on his long board. He's a beloved fixture of thecommunity, a stand-up businessman, a devoted father to hisdaughter. Frank's also a hit man. Well, a retired hit man.

Back in the day, when he was one of the most feared members ofthe West Coast mob, he was known as Frankie Machine. Yearsago, Frank consigned his mob ties to the past, which is where hewants them to stay. But a favour called in by the local boss is oneFrank simply can't refuse, and before he knows it he's suckedback into the treacherous currents of his former life. Someonefrom his past wants him dead, and he has to figure out who, andwhy, and he has to do it fast. The problem is that the list ofcandidates is about the size of his local phone book and Frank'srapidly running out of time ...