The married couple George and Felicity return home to Santa Rita - his first vacation in 20 years. They are apalled that their son, Kevin, plans to marry Melinda in 14 days. Melinda is a Mexican-American waitress at the local Country Club, and her father hates to see her marry an 'anglo'. At the same time Kevin asks Dianne, a young defense attorney, to run against Judge Stinson at the upcoming election. Dianne's old 'flame', Mike Chulack, returns from 10 years in prison to the very deep dismay of her husband, Bruce. A criminal gets away from robbing a drugstore.

Detective Jerry Kuntz who is the leader of the police investigation of the Bruce Christenson murder has elbowed his way into this position, and he seems very eager to let Tommy Simmons out of the scope. Some very special sunglasses were found beside the dead body, Kuntz delivers them back to the owner, Tommy, but a photo from the night of the murder shows Tommy wearing them on his forehead - in Mike Chulack'z presence. Again the investigation is focused upon Mike.