In 1979 newlyweds Marie and James Doherty live on the Caribbean island of St. Mark, where Marie teaches school and James is a medical student. When a coup brings a new regime into power, Government refurbishes an old gallows in a show of fist. After a young woman is found raped and murdered, Marie comes up against the powerful new Prime Minister in an effort to prevent the hanging of an innocent man. The clock is ticking as Government tightens its control, and Marie's actions put James and her freedom on the line.