Across the ranchlands and cities of his home state, Rory Yates's discipline and law enforcement skills have carried him far, from local highway patrolman to the honorable rank of Texas Ranger. He arrives in his home town to find a horrifying crime scene, and a scathing accusation. He is named a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife, Anne, a devoted teacher whose only controversial act ever was deciding to end her marriage to a ranger.