Decades ago, when Humphrey Hammerbacher was managing the notorious "Hump's Bums" squads in the Bronx, his son Howie went missing while doing charity work somewhere on the Dark Continent. At present, Hump whittles time getting high and watching television. There's not much else for an 83-year-old widower to do. But, one morning the phone summons with stunning news: Howie's remains, and those of his colleagues from American United Hands, have been disinterred by workers from a Kraut energy company. Interpol, under the direction of the SS in Berlin, is investigating the crime scene. Hump's not holding out hope them Nazi detectives are gonna turn up trumps in the African shingle. The Krauts have a reputation for being cavalier about genocide, and this isn't the grass filling Hump's head with the noia. In fact, Hump is certain all the pertinent details, whatever they are, will never see the light of the day.

Thus, the journey for Hump begins.