The past is never fully buried. 

The 1959 Veterans Reunion is the perfect excuse for San Francisco private investigator Kerrigan to escape the tedious desk work of his latest case. There’s even a surprise honorary guest - the governor of California, who announces an ambitious fund to benefit the brave soldiers. 

One month later, Kerrigan receives a call from the governor’s chief of staff about a highly sensitive missing person situation. An intern has disappeared from the governor’s mansion - along with the entire raised fund. But what’s most shocking is that Kerrigan knows the guy.

Iwo Jima, March 1945. Private Norling’s breakdown unwittingly saved Kerrigan’s life when artillery exploded the packed convoy he’d just exited. Later, as the lone witness at the court martial hearing, Kerrigan decided to give Norling the benefit of the doubt, granting the young man a future. And he seemingly took it to become a frugal, honest lawyer and the governor’s bright and altruistic intern. 

Or is he a con artist and a thief? The more Kerrigan looks into Norling’s background, it doesn’t add up. Yet the evidence is damning. Does Norling’s neck need saving once again? The repercussions of that fateful night in 1945 continue to ripple through many lives. 

And someone will commit murder to hide the truth.