A former official in the Confederate army, George Macallan has spent more than two years in prison for espionage during the War of Secession—until an unexpected visit brings a twist of fate. Jasper Daniels, governor of the state of Nebraska, offers him a deal: he’ll set Macallan free, but only if he can solve a strange series of murders that’s causing panic in the town of Elkhorn. Macallan has no choice but to head towards a destiny as uncertain as the Code of the West.