In this the fifth installment of the Babineaux series, we find John coping with news of his father’s serious illness. John’s father takes the news of his illness in some unexpected directions and his strength serves to teach life lessons to his son at a time when the illness leads towards an unwanted but predictable path. A brutal attack on a close friend and the kidnapping of another brings sadness and fear front and center for John and the entire community. Recovering from his brutal attack, Robert Allison seeks John Babineaux’s assistance as they both cope with loss in their lives. Rekindled tragic memories for both men have surprising results. The solution to the attack on one and kidnapping of another remains unsolved way too long until unusual weather reveals a dreaded secret and sets into motion a series of events that includes confrontation with law enforcement officials in order to force the guilty forward.