During a violent dust storm, Ocher and the vaquero from Tyler Gomez's ranch are ambushed. The horses, they are driving west, are stolen. Ocher sets off alone to recover the herd. He isn't alone for long. He finds an injured Apache boy, meets up with an old friend, and recovers the horses. During his chase to recover the herd, the Pinto is stolen. His walk through the desert to El Paso, Texas reveals another secret. A noisy one. Ocher's hope, that his life will become uneventful, is shattered when Holt, beaten almost to death, shows up at the ranch, with a message. "We have Stacey, bring the jewels or she dies."