Wealthy industrialist Karl Lindstrom has a bad enviromental reputation. Members of the local Ojibwe Anishinaabe tribe are concerned about the proximity of an ancient sacred expanse of great white pines to his lumber mill. When an explosion at the mill is claimed by the "Eco-Warrior" the disagreement escalates. Then the explosion becomes a homicide when a respected member of the tribe is found charred. The small town is on the brink of war, and the authorities ask Cork O'Conner, former sheriff, and part Anishinaabe to help solve the case. Reluctantly O'Conner lends a hand, finding more hidden enemies and more trouble than he bargained for.