Navajo Tribal Policeman Joe Leaphorn must solve a series of crimes and partners with new deputy Jim Chee, who is back on the reservation for the first time since he was a child.

Leaphorn and Chee interview the surviving witness of the Big Rock Motel murders; Chee meets with the coroner but the cause of death still remains a mystery, but Sgt. Manuelito makes a chilling discovery of her own.

With a major suspect in custody, Leaphorn discovers that there is more to this crime than he would have ever imagined; Manuelito faces her worst fears; Chee must make a choice between his career and his people.