When Sheriff Ike Schwartz's fiance, Ruth Harris, is involved in a near-fatal automobileaccident, Ike is convinced the crash was rigged. Even though he is embroiled in a close election, has no jurisdiction over the investigation, and can find no support in the usual law enforcement community, he places himself on leave and goes rogue to seek the person or persons responsible for putting Ruth in a coma. His efforts attract help from unexpected and irregular sources, and before it ends, his investigation will lead him to states' rights organizations and to several zealots and dissident academics.