Plot Summary:Harlan Hawkes is a very rich but very ill man who needs a heart transplant. He had a transplant two years ago and his doctor, Mac McEnerney isn't sure the review board would approve another. Hawkes has invested heavily in McEnerney's research and development of an exocardial frame, a mechanical device wrapped around the heart, and now expects his payback. Hawkes is ruthless and only cares only about himself, using his money to keep himself alive for as long as possible. Hawkes has cheated death more than once and there is a power at work seemingly intent on terminating him. When Mac is presented with a young woman, 18 year-old Jessie Wells, who would benefit from the new technology he comes under pressure from his colleague Dr. Anne Crain - Jessie is her future sister-in-law - to give her the new device. He refuses but comes to a decision about Hawkes.