The murder of the six-year-old girl from the small town of Cuyama had mesmerized the media for months. Vermilion Blew, just a few years older, was traumatized, mostly because she had known AnnaRose. Now, more than fifty years later, Very becomes embroiled in the investigation of the cold case. Along with Bradley Parker, aka the White Stetson, she prowls the small town of New Cuyama, remembering the places, the atmosphere and the claustrophobia of small-town life. While interviewing those witnesses who are still alive, she tries to tease out the truth. She wants to clear the name of AnnaRose's biological father, but he is keeping secrets, as are a number of witnesses. In the meantime, she has put on hold her planned trip to Canada to search for her missing fiancé.