Natalie Dvorak #17:
On a special assignment out of state, Detective-Sergeant Natalie Dvorak of the Vermont State Police is reunited with her former partner, now a US Marshal. Together, they travel to Minnesota's Lake Country to interview a man in the Federal Witness Protection Program. A murder disrupts their assignment and the case is worked by the local police. When the prime suspect turns up dead as an apparent suicide, Police Chief Kate Petrovic is not satisfied but the case is closed. She is soon subjected to pressure from the mayor, whose reelection is jeopardized by the murder-suicide, and is forced to reopen the investigation. Kate's personal life becomes more complicated and is soon tainted by tragedy. A family friend's dark past is uncovered just as Kate finds the strength to overcome adversity. Natalie returns to Minnesota for a celebration, but she becomes involved in the final act of a dangerous killer.