When Alan Craigs father was shot years ago, there had been no doctor in Coffin Gap to help him. Now Alan has returned with his medical degree to what has become a thriving town. But Jada MacQueens hydraulic mining has polluted all the lowland waterways and killed parts of the range. And poor sanitation and health care may turn an early case of typhoid into an epidemic. Alans efforts are hampered by the two most powerful players in the town, Jada MacQueen and Bowie French. French, once Alans best friend, is now the biggest rancher in the area and abusive husband of Alans former love, Nola. Alan has many challenges to overcome in his hometown, but when he attempts to intervene on Nolas behalf he takes his life in his hands.