Thirteen years have passed since Kevin Dolby was sent to prison for robbery with violence. In the meantime, his ex wife Pearl Button has divorced him and remarried, determined to protect her son from knowing who his real father is. Then she hears two pieces of terrifying news - Kevin Dolby is up for parole and that her dear friend Bessie is gravely ill. Bessie has taken on Nora Dobbs, a young woman and she asks Pearl to take over her care when dies....