The people of San Angela had no idea Mill Roth left his cattle empire to a woman by the name of Hattie Stamps, the widow of Beaver Stamps, who was Mill's oldest and best friend. Until she showed up claiming the Roth Empire everything was fine. Some of the citizens, other cattle operators and people of high standing were filing section claims and branding cattle as fast as they could be caught. Plat Hargis and Floyd Sutter, both wealthy cattle and land owners were claiming the largest chunks of the properties. Unbeknown to everyone was another group of men working quietly to get it all. Lank Lankford the new sheriff of the town was caught in the middle. He had left New Mexico and his old friend Hawk Haynes to take the job. He soon realized he would need his old friend's help. Hawk Haynes rounded up some of his men and left right away, knowing he had his own problems. A gunslinger by the name of Moody Rim was looking to make a reputation; killing the great Hawk Haynes would do that. His way of choice would be shooting Hawk in the back and telling it differently. When Hawk arrives in San Angela the number of people wanting him and Sheriff Lankford dead increased rapidly. Too many people stood to lose fortunes if Hattie's will was determined legal. Hattie was tough, and unlike any woman anyone had ever met. She spoke her mind and was uninhibited. She had enough men to start a war any size called for, but she wanted to do things the right way if possible. She decided to play along with Sheriff Lankford and Hawk Haynes. In the doing of it all, Hawk discovers something about himself. A man with a reputation carries a fear of being shot in the back, to his surprise that wasn't his worse fear at all.
Hawk Haynes was proud of Porterville Texas, a town he had founded. He had left it to go on a long honeymoon with Elizabeth Trudy, his new bride. When he returned a black cloud had descended upon the town. The peace and harmony was gone, and so was his best friend. Hawk was sure Lank Lankford didn't leave of his own accord. Luke Tanner, an old army buddy had left with Lank, and that told Hawk things weren't right. Lank would never partner up with the likes of Luke Tanner, a born killer. Hawk saddled up and headed out to look for them, little did he know the town's problems had just begun.
Clay Rose, the deputy of Tucson noticed unfamiliar horses in front of the bank. It dawned on him, something was wrong. Suddenly his boss, Sheriff Biggs was stepping fast across the street just as Frankie Giles gang burst from the bank, shooting in all directions. They gunned the sheriff down along with the Marie Ramos, the lady Clay Rose intended to marry. He had been holding her behind him trying to shield her, but in his process to shoot back, a bullet took her. Clay Rose, the deputy of Tucson lost his best friend and the love of his life in just a few blinding seconds. Frankie and his gang didn't know that they had built a fire inside a man that could not be put out when they shot his Marie. They wouldn't be trailed and hounded by a man just doing his duty. They would be hunted by a man consumed with revenge. There would be no place of safety. Even the luxury of daylight would be taken from them without some worry. From Tucson, Arizona to Abilene, Texas the battle would rage. The news of the fight would run ahead of Clay and his partner Billy Bass, a worthless kid that grows into a man before the end of the trail. The talk of the two men chasing the outlaw Frankie Giles becomes such an event, that folks are hoping to meet them along the way. Frankie was running home to Daddy Giles, the judge of Abilene for protection. It would all come to a head in a town filled with people who had come for miles to see the showdown. In the end, Clay would smile through a tear.
Hawk Haynes ruled from his heart, but stayed alive by using his instincts. Hawk was on his way to start a new life in Texas when he runs into burned out wagons.
