This is book 3 of THE RICHARD TRACY SERIES about a retired detective and his wife, a retired chef. The dog next door frequently digs under the fence between the yards. When Theodore digs up a human bone in Richard's yard, the troubles begin. Circumstantial evidence makes it appear that Richard buried the body there. Thus he is charged with murder.

The situation is further complicated by a piece of evidence that, while it incriminates Richard, does not seem to be valid. Perhaps someone planted it at the murder scene. While Richard's wife and his lawyer work to discredit the planted evidence, Theodore spots a man who he had seen in the yard at midnight during the investigation. Theodore holds the man until the police can find incriminating evidence on him. This free Richard.