Lawyer Jay Porter's latest case?representing Pleasantville in the wake of a chemical fire?is dragging on, shaking his confidence and raising doubts about him within this upwardly mobile black community on Houston's north side. Though Jay still believes in doing what's right, he is done fighting others' battles. Once he has his piece of the settlement, the single father is going to devote himself to what matters most?his children. His plans are abruptly derailed when a female campaign volunteer vanishes in Pleasantville on the night of Houston's mayoral election. The accused is none other than the nephew and campaign manager of one of the leading candidates?a scion of a prominent Houston family headed by the formidable Sam Hathorne. Despite all the signs suggesting that his client is guilty, Jay can't refuse when Sam asks him to head up the defense?not if Jay wants that new life with his kids. But he has to win. Plunging into a shadowy world of ambitious enemies and treacherous allies armed with money, lies, and secrets, Jay reluctantly takes on his first murder trial?a case that will put him,