Harlan Steelman owned most of the town of Bear Creek and found his way in and out of every backroom, barroom, and bedroom. When his rival from high school, John Watson, returns to Bear Creek with his wife and son to start anew, Harlan vows to ruin John's life and take Kara, his wife, away from him. When Harlan is found murdered, John Watson is the likely suspect and is taken into custody. What happens next is the trial of the century for the little town of Bear Creek, but it takes a horrible twist at the end.