Al Barker had been an atomic scientist. 

Now he was a fugitive from justice. 

Knowing he had to watch every step he made, he still became fatally entangled with people. 

These were some of them:

Nickie-the beautiful girl who needed money for an abortion. 

Finn-a toy department buyer whose own favorite play- thing was alive and kicking. 

Dolly-a cruel, unnatural woman on the edge of a crackup. 

Tom-a trusting kid who thought Al was a hero. 

Sally-a woman tired of her husband and looking for new game.

This is a brilliantly told story, furiously paced. 

Beneath its fascinating surface is a bitter and compelling theme. 

For Barker was fleeing from the human race because his conscience couldn't bear man's inhumanity to man.