Tommi Poag, dumped by her lawyer husband after 33 years of marriage, works in an insurance office where she meets Nina Sellars who's come to transfer her husband's million dollar policy from California to Oak Ridge NC where they now live. The two women discover that Tommi's ex-husband is a first cousin to Nina's father Frank, but neither woman knows why the men have not spoken to each other in over thirty years. A few months later, after Tommi and Nina have become fast friends, Nina is accused of killing her husband when their car is pushed into Lake Brandt and Cap drowns. When Tommi's ex, Bernard, becomes Nina's attorney, Tommi decides to surreptitiously do some investigating, not sure Bernard is capable since he practices corporate, not criminal, law. Nina's father, Frank, becomes involved in the sleuthing with her. Another murder, a fire at Tommi's condo, and an attempt on her life fail to deter them. Devastating truths are unlocked as they delve into the family relationships.