At the cemetery following his mother's burial service, Ryan Fleet, eighteen, fires a .38-caliber revolver twice in rapid succession, hitting Joe Fleet, his father, and Heather Prentice, his father fiance. They were to be married that night in Las Vegas. The injuries create lifelong handicaps for both. Denied bail and awaiting trial, abruptly the criminal charges against Ryan are withdrawn by both plaintiffs. Seven years later Doctor Ryan Fleet is in court facing a civil suit filed by Heather Prentice.