Linked by the Spirit River, the two towns couldn't be more different: in Barron, a powerful research corporation enriches its residents, while in blue-collar St. Croix, victims of that company's carcinogenic waste struggle to survive. When Ashlynn, daughter of the corporation's president, is found dead and a St. Croix girl, Olivia Hawk, is accused of the crime, the enmity between the towns escalates into warfare. Olivia's best hope is her estranged father Christopher, an attorney from the city. As he struggles to save his daughter, Christopher uncovers secrets that endanger the residents of both towns.