Karen Morino finds her fifteen year old daughter, Nikki, lying in their foyer dead. There are no signs of a struggle but all evidence points to murder. A neighbor saw Jared Davis leaving the Morino home near the time of the murder. Davis is nineteen years old, mentally challenged, with Down syndrome. Conrad Confidential is hired to investigate her murder. Until a forensic report comes back, the Akron Police Department hesitates to make an arrest. The neighbors are livid and fearful for the safety of their children. Prejudice escalates and the Davises are victimized daily.

Father Flannery, a priest in Atlanta, is shocked by an anonymous confessor to a girl’s murder. However, he is sworn to secrecy by the Covenant of Confession.

Conrad’s team will eventually unlock the mystery of the girl’s murder, but the pre-judgments and impulsive reactions of neighbors have created a wake of hard feelings that will take time to heal. Lives and hearts will be changed forever.

Meanwhile, a wealthy and gorgeous widow from Doug Conrad’s high school class walks into Conrad Confidential to renew a past friendship. Conrad’s children are troubled by this.

Donna Gifford, a Conrad investigator, finds herself a target for murder by a Connecticut prison escapee with a vendetta against her. She is in grave danger, and it is dubious whether help can reach her in time.

Doug Conrad’s life had finally stabilized only to find it in upheaval once again.