Tom Gabriel retired, or at least he thought he had. All he wants to do is join his dead wife Carrie, but life and death are never that simple. Gretchen Hebb asks him to find her daughter – Mercy – who works as an investigative journalist for the St. Augustine Record. She was investigating missing children, but has now disappeared herself. Tom begins asking questions, but is forced to take cub reporter – Butterfly Raeburn 'Rae' with him. Soon, both are drawn into a dangerous investigation, which will change their lives forever. Little Sally Stackhouse has escaped, and is being chased by Henry Appling – Henry has a hunting rifle.