It's 1989 and Ellen Savage, lead investigator, Homicide, Contra Costa County Coroner's Office, is satisfied with her career and proud of her progress. She is an attractive, thirty-two year old, very single woman. She is content in her rut. Out of the blue, her placid life is turned upside down when she is re-assigned from the Coroner's Office to the Felony Investigation Office. Claiming short-handedness, the County District Attorney, Patrick James, assigns Ellen to lead the investigation into the bizarre, occult looking murder of a young woman found dead at the top of Mount Diablo. Overwhelmed, flattered, excited about the assignment, Ellen dismisses the big question: why me? diving into the investigation head first. Along with the assignment comes another unexpected development, a possible love interest. Just like her career, Ellen's lack of romance has suited her fine for a number of years. When Steve Gray is assigned to assist her in the investigation, that too changes. Steve is handsome, unassuming, easygoing and very taken with Ellen. Ellen is caught between her professionalism and an ever growing warm response to Steve's obvious infatuation. It has been a long, long time. Just as soon as the investigation gets off the ground, it is stymied by the D.A., Patrick James. He seems to regret his initial decision, attacking Ellen's investigative competence until she is nearly defeated and even nearer to throwing in the towel. But with a courage she didn't know she had, and the support of her loyal team, she continues, standing up to James and following the evidence where it leads, even when it leads her places she dreads to go.