Autumn 1867. In book two of the Clayton Sharp series, Clay, Annie, and Ward are bound for Utah. They first detour south for Pueblo to inform Ward's sister, Dorothy Benkelman, about the death of their brother, Ben. It is there the travelers encounter trouble. A lawman from the town Dead Elk, named Chemin des Chagrins, has been ambushed and lays dying. The trio find and nurse him back to health, only to discover he is searching for Clayton. Chagrins-or Ray DeSean, as he is better known-is determined to bring Sharp to justice. Meanwhile, Joe and Russ DiMarco are also traveling nearby. They are captured by a local sheriff, then witness his murder by a hidden gunman. After fleeing, they encounter the killer. They know him! By now, Ward has left camp and entered Pueblo to get directions to his sister's ranch. While gone, Clayton, Annie, and Marshal DeSean are kidnapped by the Ute warrior, Antonga. Frantic, Ward attempts to raise a search party, but the locals are out searching for the killer of their sheriff. Providentially, a detachment of Buffalo Soldiers soon arrives. The DiMarcos unexpectedly find DeSean and bring him to the Benkelman ranch. There, the marshal encounters Tehya-a native woman whom he secretly adores. She has been searching for him. Clay and Annie escape to the nearby Benkelman ranch, now besieged by Antonga's warriors. They join with the others to battle the Indians, but the outcome is touch and go.