In Selleck's fifth outing as Robert B. Parker's sheriff of smalltown Paradise, Jesse is hitting the booze a little harder than usual before two investigations occupy his time. First, his Boston buddy Capt. Healy (McHattie) is nearly murdered, and second, desperate Elizabeth Blue (Manheim) visits the town looking for her long-missing son. And as usual, Jesse's unorthodox policing has the town council threatening to suspend or fire him.