Jake Tanner's assignment as a United States Federal Marshal in the newly minted state of Colorado is complicated by an influx of trappers, mountain men, and prospectors. Added to this collection of immigrants are settlers filing homestead claims and cattlemen looking for free grazing land. Jake, in addition to keeping the peace, takes advantage of the Desert Act of 1877 and acquires enough land to start a cattle ranch of his own. Success as a federal marshal and cattle rancher is assured until mysterious events occur. Although relatively minor at first, these episodes become increasingly serious until the lives of Jake's family are threatened and innocent people are killed. Has Jake's former life as a federal marshal in Kansas finally caught up with him? To find out, Jake devises a plan to find his adversary and bring him to justice. Simple as that plan seems to be, though, catching his ghostly opponent is far more complicated than foreseen. Will more people die before the identity of Jake's diabolical antagonist is disclosed and justice is served?