Red's work in Lubbock is finished. Jesse Luna is dead, and Red now has all the pieces to the puzzle. At least the important ones. She now knows who was involved in the murders of her family. And she's headed back to Blanco to exact vengeance. In her travels, Red befriended an old woman named Beth, and gained a riding partner named Jacob. "You can come along with me to Blanco," she'd told him. "I'll introduce you to some good people. Kind people, who will treat you not as a whipping boy, but for the kind and gentle man you are." Jacob had his own agenda. Red owned his heart, and he wanted to win her love as well. But for the time being he'd settle for being her friend. Back in Blanco the town banker was also the chief of police. He'd won the role through coercion not because he wanted the job. But rather to prevent an investigation into the murders of Red's loved ones. For he was the mastermind behind the crimes. And John Savage knew, from the day Red set out after Jesse Luna, that she'd learn the truth and come back after him. He had a surprise for her. And he didn't know it, but she had one for him as well.