Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Sgt. Jim Chee investigate the disappearance of a Navajo boy; Manuelito makes a sinister discovery while adjusting to life on the border patrol; an FBI agent comes to solve a case linked to Leaphorn's recent past.

After a close call, Leaphorn and Chee follow the trail of a new suspect; the discovery of a body sends Special Agent Washington in a different direction; Manuelito puts a target on her back as she digs deeper into the mystery.