Synopsis: (From the back cover of the Ace Books first edition:) Life's tough for Detective David Silver. His marriage is on the rocks. A serial killer's on the loose. And his new partner looks like a seven-foot stingray and smells like fresh limes. The Elaki have come from the stars to offer humankind a helping hand. Homicide investigations included. The last thing Silver wants is an alien assist. Until a simple, if grisly, murder case leads to a conspiracy that threatens Earthlings and Elaki alike. Silver needs all the help he can get. Human or otherwise.