A week after Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana attorney Jeb Stuart Johnston is asked to arrange bail for Dr. Rachel Favret, daughter of an influential New Orleans businessman. Jeb has no problem getting her out of jail, but when he discovers she's a material witness to a police-involved shooting, things take a dark turn.

Rachel witnessed a confrontation between NOPD and a street gang which was really just a murder and robbery by the police. The tactical squad involved was already under investigation by internal affairs. Now, it's suspected that they used the hurricane as a cover for the murder. Jeb and Rachel are forced to flee to Jeb's ancestral home, rural Tensas Parish, when it becomes apparent these dirty cops are intent on eliminating all witnesses.

Back home at Promised Land, Jeb just wants to keep Rachel safe, but he can't ignore the old issues of race and privilege that still simmer beneath the surface in his home parish. They may have fled the devastation and danger of New Orleans, but Jeb and Rachel are in no way safe yet.