Sally Redfern and Phae Lewis, poets and partners, are leisurely driving from Murphy to Manteo when their vacation takes an unexpected detour. When the two set up camp next to Emerson Chadwick at Jordan Lake, the chance meeting at first seems fortuitous: Phae wants a baby to complete their family and Emerson, a fellow writer, is an ideal candidate. Emerson achieved fame with his signature novel, but failed to come up with the promised sequel. His inner demons, fueled by alcohol, have cost him his family as well as his career. But, after meeting Phae and being considerably cheered by their affair, Emerson backs off from his original intent to commit suicide. The women devise a scheme whereby Emerson can assume a new identity and go on his way. The plan works--too well. The fake crime scene is accepted at face value by the local police and the search is on for the murderers. Sally and Phae are quickly arrested and their protests that the murder was an elaborate prank are disregarded by all except Norma Rae Smithers, a neophyte reporter with the Glamorgan Gazette. Norma Rae convinces her mentor, veteran crime reporter Evan Parris, that the women's innocence can be proved if they find the elusive Emerson. Evan agrees, knowing that the scoop of the year - at least to the Gazette's loyal readership - could save both their jobs on the newspaper's dwindling staff. They take off for Myrtle Beach, where the women swear they left Emerson alive and well. But Emerson is a chameleon, changing his name and appearance as he sinks deeper into the anonymity of the resort town. Will Norma Rae and Evan find him before the women are condemned? Or will Emerson, reading of the women's ordeal, reveal himself at the risk of being forced back into his hated former existence?