A Wyoming mine worker discovers a human hand bone embedded in a forty million year-old coal seam. Sent to investigate and recover the bone, anthropologist Larry Krafter unearths a human skull. Understanding the controversy his find will raise in the anthropological community, he announces his discovery. Instead of receiving acclaim and setting off a new look at human evolution, entrenched establishment interests seek to discredit him and his find, using whatever means possible - including murder. Initially daunted by the viciousness of the attack against him, Krafter fights back with the glare of publicity. The FBI have little to go on as the killer expands his intimidation to include Krafter's supporters and the woman he loves. Desperate to silence Krafter, his critics make one last attempt while Krafter begins to count the cost of gaining acceptance for his discovery. An explosive expose into the hidden world of academic infighting and the lengths to which the establishment will go to in order to preserve their position and reputations.