Newspaper reporter Justin Weaver had originally hoped to use his job at the small-town Bloomington Times as a springboard to something bigger. But after a couple years on the job, dreams of moving to New York or Chicago seem as far away as ever, especially when his newest assignment is covering a memorial service in the rural village of Masontown.
A heroic war veteran and county sheriff for fifty years, Alvin "Pop" McDaniel, Masontown's legendary local hero, was a friend and benefactor to all. Justin is sure the story will be straightforward, but things get complicated when his girlfriend and fellow reporter, Belinda Fanelli, shows up to rock the boat-and Belinda rocks it well.
As he researches the story and the memorial ceremony unfolds, Justin has a funny feeling. He suspects Pop wasn't as perfect as everyone thinks he was. With the help of Belinda and their inside source Andy Kline, a local reporter who proves to be a useful ally, Justin goes on a thorough hunt for the truth. However, digging through the life of a dead man can be dangerous-especially if the dead man had something to hide.