Marcia Banks has an unusual first name (pronounced Mar-see-a, not Marsha) and an unusual vocation—she trains service dogs for combat veterans with PTSD. This prequel tells the story of how her first trainee, a Black Labrador service dog named Buddy, ends up back with her. And in the process, she picks up an unusual avocation...amateur sleuth.

When Buddy's owner, a disabled Marine, is accused of murdering his wife, Marcia is called in to dog-sit, and she is outraged to discover that the small town is presuming the veteran guilty until proven innocent. With Buddy's help, she tries to uncover the real killer. Even after the hunky local sheriff politely tells her to butt out, Marcia keeps poking around. Until the killer finally pokes back.