As a volunteer at the San Diego Zoo in California, Margaret has been making good use of her psychic ability to communicate with animals such as Zaran, a stubborn tigress who refuses to accept her cub. Late one night, just as she shuts Zaran's cage, Margaret feels a gun in her back. John Lassiter, a former CIA operative, is prepared to use force to ensure that she joins him on a mission to rescue his mentor, CIA agent Sean Patrick. Patrick has been captured by Stan Nicos, a sadistic criminal who once held Margaret captive and killed her friend Rosa. Lassiter intends to let Nicos, who covets Margaret's skills as an animal communicator, think that he's willing to trade her for Patrick while actually keeping her safe. Margaret, who doesn't trust Lassiter at first, has plans of her own.