Last Looks

Hap Farber, a former Los Angeles Police Department detective, has seen better days. His years of service have been marred by corruption and scandal, and after a very public downfall, he finds himself forced to flee the city to start anew in the solitude of the woods. With a quiet life of fishing and solitude finally within his grasp, Farber is determined to leave the world of crime and chaos behind. However, his peaceful existence is short-lived, thanks to the arrival of August 'Augie' Dei, a charming, fast-talking, and somewhat eccentric private investigator. Augie has a knack for landing high-profile clients, and his current case requires his expertise: the murder of a socialite wife, Lily Reed, who was married to none other than eccentric TV star and self-proclaimed 'King of the Small Screen,' Teddy Reed. Augie knows Hap's background in law enforcement, and recognizing the skills he could bring to the table, he tracks down the disgraced detective in his secluded cabin. Initially reluctant, Hap is eventually swayed by Augie's persuasive nature, particularly when he's offered a hefty sum of money to assist in the case. As he reluctantly agrees to get involved, Hap finds himself being propelled back into a world he thought he'd left behind. As they embark on the investigation, Hap and Augie are introduced to the Reed's extravagant and eccentric lives. Teddy, the 'King of the Small Screen,' is more concerned with his TV persona than his wife's tragic demise, while Lily's family and friends paint a very different picture of her as a kind and gentle soul. The investigation unfolds with Hap's natural analytical skills complemented by Augie's street smarts and network of informants. However, as they dig deeper into the case, they begin to encounter the darker side of show business. They're met with resistance from powerful people with secrets to hide and a complex web of lies to keep intact. As Hap becomes more entrenched in the investigation, he's drawn into a world where appearances are everything and nothing is as it seems. Far behind the facade, they expose the dark underbelly of the industry, including addiction, affairs, and desperation, fueled by the pressures of fame and fortune. It becomes clear that the investigation is not as straightforward as Hap initially thought, but a deeper sinister force seems to be at play, threatening the lives of everyone involved. As the investigation unfolds, Hap's skills as a detective are rekindled, but he finds himself struggling to reconcile his past with his desire for a second chance. Augie, too, is drawn into the mystery and finds himself at odds with the Hollywood elite. Their unlikely partnership navigates this treacherous landscape, often putting their lives in danger. Through various twists and turns, Hap and Augie work tirelessly to unravel the threads of the mystery, piecing together seemingly unrelated events to form a larger picture of deceit and betrayal. The once-quaint town is now a hotbed of tension and anxiety, with Hap as the center of attention, a reminder that you can't truly leave your past behind. The story comes to a head with an explosive confrontation that brings the investigation full circle, revealing the shocking truth behind Lily's murder. In a stunning climax, Farber's skills as a detective are called upon once again to bring justice to the victim and to himself. Though still a long way from redemption, Hap finally gets a chance to confront his demons, both old and new.