The Honorable Barbara Quincy Pitt has been selected to preside over the trial of a Catholic priest accused of raping twenty-three children in his former parishes.

But the notoriety and horror of the case seem to be the least of the judge's problems. She has become romantically involved with a young law clerk assigned to assist her in this case. Now the young man has disappeared.

Judge Pitt enlists the aid of her former classmate Sheldon Gold to locate the law clerk and prevent a scandal that would destroy her career. Assisting her boss, Mairead O'Clare finds herself caught between defending a client and pursuing justice-and it's not at all clear which will prevail.