Finally home after weeks in the hospital following a near-fatal shooting, Officer David Kennison faces the dispiriting prospect of a long recovery period. However, rapidly unfolding crises draw him back to active duty prematurely-and place him into constant conflict with his frightened wife. First the Heron Lake Police Force is reduced to a dangerous low when a virulent flu epidemic cripples the town. During this time, a request from a local high school teacher brings David to the station in an unofficial capacity. While there, he overhears the dispatcher take a dangerous emergency call and soon learns that he's the only officer available to respond. Then David receives a visit from Sheralyn Ames, a psychic artist whose sketches forewarn of imminent, life-threatening situations. When Sheralyn takes out her drawing pad, it's a déjà vu that fills David with dread, a dread that quickly turns to panic as he recognizes the depicted victim-the boy who recently saved his life.