He receives a call from Larry Conway, his childhood friend who he hasn't heard from in 20 years. Larry asks him to represent Raymond Walker, who is accused of killing Brian McHugh, local college football star who would be a future All American. Walker is a troubled young man. His mother died when he was young; his grieving father turned to drink and threw him out of the house. Conway's son, Evan, befriends him and persuades Conway to take Walker into their home.

    For old times sake Francis agrees to take the defense of Walker. The evidence against him is circumstantial: no gun is found, and the money he allegedly stole is missing. Walker declares his innocence. Francis is convinced of Walker's innocence, and his investigation brings to light evidence that McHugh was not the sterling character portrayed. He had an undisclosed imprisonment for manslaughter, and he may have been in league with a bookmaker to shave points in the football games. Further discoveries lead Francis to the suspicion that he had been set up by Conway with the real killer closer to home. But all is not what it seems. After Walker's trial Francis is shocked by a startling revelation.

    The plot is filled with twists and turns and contradictions that leave the reader in a state of confusion. The reader is taken through Francis' investigations and his thoughts, coming to the same conclusions, only to be as surprised as the lawyer, at the end. The story is a testimony to how a person can be made a pawn by manipulative people. The character of Francis is well developed with his feelings of justice and friendship.