Veterinarian Kent Stephenson and a local Native American leader put aside their differences as they conspire to defend their town from a greedy corporation that is desecrating their river. Doctor Stephenson's day-to-day routine of caring for animals is shattered by the apparently random murder of his lifelong friend. He and his hound, Lucinda, are drawn into the investigation. Kent soon suspects that small-town politics surrounding a new riverside resort have led to murder, and that it won't end with just one victim. When a nameless toddler is found wandering alone by the river, all bets are off. Before long, Kent is mired in a conflict between Native American beliefs and modern-day avarice. As he unravels the mystery, Kent struggles with the emotional upheaval of a new love interest, and a crushing sense of helplessness, as he fights the medical battle of his career to save the life of his daughter's prize stallion. Along the way, Kent is forced to face a gut-wrenching reality--traditional Native medicine is saving animals that are dying in his hands.