Cuchulainn Gray, nicknamed Cuch, a theology student, and a fellow classmate find the corpse of a newly ordained deacon, apparently bludgeoned to death. The seminary powers that be fearing a scandal allow a cover-up thus the death is treated as accidental.An earthquake brings temporary closure to the seminary giving Cuch time to search for his friend's killer. The victim's mother invites Cuch, her son's best friend, to spend his free time at her family home in Redlands. The mother remains under the impression her son's death was accidental. Cuch convinces her foul play occurred. Barbara, the victim's sister, elects to join Cuch in his mission suggesting they make the family farmhouse in the Imperial Valley their base of operations. The identity of the killer is discovered, not the identity of the person who fronted the money for the pay-for-murder scheme. Surely in this case the means justify the ending.