It's summer and a violent attack on a doctor triggers a series of gay-bashing episodes. The Episcopalian priest Clare Fergusson and Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne, who has been carefully avoiding one another, are thrown together. Still fighting their mutual attraction, Russ rudely bars Clare from taking any part in dealing with the violent homophobia, and from contributing to the investigation. As the reluctant partnership continues, closeness becomes inevitable. The pair find that it's hard enough trying to solve a crime with an assortment of valid suspects; it's even harder to tamp down a powerful personal attraction.