The war is over, Sanderson is home, and life is good ... until the Army comes knocking. They've charged him with murder and in order to clear his name, he's been ordered to track down the notorious outlaw, William "Bloody Bill" Quantrill with the help of Jerry Thomas -- or face the hangman's noose. Meanwhile, Charlotte is left in Minerva's hands to endure a complicated pregnancy and battle a rash of hydrophobee that threatens the countryside, Achilles, Cotton and her Sanderson.