Private investigator James Pinter expects mostly bail jumper and larceny cases after opening his new P.I. business and accepting a position as expert consultant to the Navajo Tribal Police. But no sooner has James settled into the job when George Morris-a familiar face from James's last case-goes missing. A day later, James finds out why. George is suspected of murdering an Albuquerque judge and his wife.

James's connections to the reservation make him a sought-after asset and he is quickly called up to work on the double homicide case. But he immediately hits a snag. Something is wrong with the crime scene, and what's more, an informant is convinced that the police are going after the wrong man.

Then another call comes in from George Morris himself begging James to prove his innocence. But James isn't convinced George is as blameless as he claims. As James untangles the knots leading George to the judge, he's drawn into a web of political deceit involving some of the most secretive and powerful people in New Mexico. With his new P.I. business on the line, James realizes that someone is trying to set him up to take the fall on a case that was botched from the beginning. The only thing left to do? Find the real killer. And fast.