The war is over, Sanderson is home, and life is good ... until the Army comes knocking.  They've charged Sanderson with the murder of Lt. Lantz, his former captor, and sentenced him to hang unless he can track down and kill the notorious outlaw, William "Bloody Bill" Quantrill. With the help of Jerry Thomas, Sanderson must prove his worth to the United States by getting to the outlaw before any bounty hunters reach him first. Meanwhile, Charlotte is left to endure a complicated pregnancy alone while battling a rash of hydrophobee that threatens the countryside -- her Sanderson included.