Decker is visiting his hometown of Burlington, Ohio, when he's approached by a man named Meryl Hawkins. Hawkins is a convicted murderer, the very first, in fact, Decker ever put behind bars. But he's innocent, he claims. Now suffering from terminal cancer, it's his dying wish that Decker clear his name. It's unthinkable. The case was open and shut, with rock-solid forensic evidence. But then Hawkins turns up dead with a bullet in his head, and even Decker begins to have doubts. Is it possible he really did get it wrong all those years ago? Decker's determined to uncover the truth, no matter the personal cost. But solving a case this cold may be impossible, especially when it becomes clear someone doesn't want the old case reopened. Someone who is willing to kill to keep the truth buried and hide a decades-old secret which may have devastating repercussions.