Charles Perry finds himself without a job in law enforcement. He has been 'relieved' from office, "Due to the mishandling of a kidnap case the previous summer, Sheriff Charles Perry has resigned under pressure," say the headlines. Two of his trusted employees, Detective Lieutenant Donald Atteberry and Deputy Harry George have resigned in protest. The result finds Perry working as a carpenter, George unemployed, and Atteberry trying his skill at private investigating. Within 24 hours, two employees of the Ravalli County Sheriff's Dept. have been murdered, Deputy Leona Teaworthy has been suspended, and the FBI, in town for the murder/kidnapping trial of Judson Hammond, have decided that the new murders may be linked to the Blodgett fires which were started on federal land. Donald Atteberry becomes involved when the FBI fingers an ex-girlfriend's son for both the fires and murders. From the evidence available, Atteberry is sure that something is amiss and hires Charles Perry and Harry George to help. This fast paced story, with its twists and turns, will have the reader not wanting it to end.