Mark Darrow grew up with no real advantages beyond his intelligence and his athletic ability. But thanks to the intervention of a Lionel Farr professor at Caldwell the local college Darrow became an excellent student and trial lawyer. Now Farr asks his protégé to consider becoming Caldwell’s new president. Darrow accepts but returning to his alma mater opens old wounds. Sixteen years ago he discovered the body of a black female student named Angela Hall. His best friend was charged with Angela’s murder and sent to prison for life. But Darrow now discovers that the case against his friend left crucial questions unanswered. Darrow opens his own investigation into the case and soon becomes convinced that Angela’s killer is still at large.