The Kelso/McIvey rehab center is a place of hope and healing for its patients-and for the dedicated staff who volunteer there.

But David McIvey, a brilliant surgeon whose ego rivals his skill with a scalpel, wants to change all that. His plan to close the clinic and replace it with a massive new surgery center-with himself at the helm-means that the rehab center will be forced to close its doors.

Since he is poised to desecrate the dreams of so many, it's not surprising to anyone, especially Oregon lawyer Barbara Holloway, that somebody dares to stop him in cold blood. When David McIvey is murdered outside the clinic's doors early one morning, Barbara once again uses her razor-sharp instincts and take-no-prisoners attitude to create a defense for the two members of the clinic who stand accused.

And in her most perplexing case yet, Barbara is forced to explore the darkest places where people can hide-the soul beneath the skin.