Below the surface, the earth burns. You wouldn't know it from looking at the peaceful Appalachian hills of Jackson, Kentucky. And you won't hear about it from the locals. They've been bought off. Or scared into silence. Meanwhile, the toxins being dumped into abandoned mines could turn Jackson into a wasteland if someone doesn't stop it. Someone's going to. EPA Marshal Jack Taggert is going to ferret out who's responsible for poisoning the land. When thugs try to take him out of the action, Taggert adds another line of work to his resume. He's in the butt- kicking business. Business is good.