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

Leaphorn's niece celebrates her Kinaaldá as Leaphorn retrieves the bodies of the murder victims. Meanwhile, Manuelito and Chee investigate the whereabouts of the missing Mormon family.

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.