Eve Brookstone is a vocational rehabilitation specialist with Timberfrost Medical Center when she meets patient Russell Stievler. To her, he is merely a patient; to Russella man with a hidden, violent pastEve is an object of fascination. Something about her articulate, mild-mannered ways makes him choose her as the next piece in his grotesque, deadly "collection." Russell's intrusions into Eve's life are viewed initially as a joke. The chief psychologist of the medical center discounts any concerns, deciding it's impossible for any man to stalk a plain Jane like Eve. She then finds support from her good friend, Jordan Keller, and despite his engagement to another woman, Eve gives in to romantic feelings for her friend.