Seventeen-year-old Megan Fowler is trysting at the lake with a married man, Lyle Ridley, when he is killed by an unknown assailant with a high-powered rifle. Garth Williams is an immediate suspect because he has been infatuated with Megan for some time. Buford Fowler, Megan's step-father, is implicated in the shooting because his rifle and muddy boots are found in a closet. Althea Tibbs counsels Garth during this life shattering incident.