Sometimes you go after a bandit and find something different.

Ira Beard signed on as bounty hunter. He's going after Joaquin Murietta, the worst desperado in California. The reward is one inducement. Another is that his reputation as a lawman is on the line.

Trying to find Joaquin, he learns some people think he's a hero, not a badman. Ira needs to see for himself, even if it means a gun fight.

Octavia de LaLuz has met Joaquin. She's not sure if he's hero or villain. She will save Ira Beard's life three times. She knows the country needs heros but will never run out of bad men.

Octavia wants to bring life to a land of sudden death. She will not let Ira go any more than he can let go Joaquin. The question remains, whose head will end in a pickle jar?

Now read the book and travel to a time past, which haunts us yet today.