With his military career ended in boot camp by an accidental shot to the head, Sam McCain returns to Black River Falls to work for the court of Judge Esme Ann Whitney. But two of Sam's oldest friends are caught up in battle. Veteran Steve Donovan brutally belittles and savagely beats his old friend, veteran Will Cullen, for joining an anti-Vietnam War group. When Cullen is found murdered, Steve is the obvious suspect. But Sam has serious doubts.