CJ Hand, haunted by an image he does not understand, flees the prairie to work in picturesque western Washington. Here he encounters job troubles that destroy his family life. The divorce and his child moving away from the hate-filled marriage results in seething anger and alcohol abuse.

During an investigation, he kills a suspect. Under continual job pressure, his sharp instincts begin to cloud. When all seems hopeless, a friend calls for CJ's help with the real cause of his son's death.

CJ grabs the opportunity to return to Nebraska, where he once thrived, and build a new life. He envisions a calm and unobtrusive investigation while enjoying the solitude of rural life. And helping his close friend can bring peace to that small family, now lacking a son who died in a quiet river valley.

But what he finds are deceit and political greed. The deadly circles begin to unravel under his probing. The sinister plot of influential people for their own personal gain unfolds and reveals more deaths and serious, far-reaching plans.

He finally brings focus to why he long ago fled Nebraska for the West Coast.