The first in a whiteknuckled western series from the author of the acclaimed Gunsmith series following a legendary gunfighter taking on the darkest and bloodiest jobs across the WestJohn Locke has been a lawman a bounty hunter and a gunforhire but now hes embarked on a new chapter in his life taking on odd and dangerous jobs that are really only suited to a man of his reputation His first new assignment brings him to Lincoln New Mexico to serve as a bastonero like the Master of Ceremonies to the hanging of a man known for being a vicious killer Ignacio Delgado He spends most of his time in the beginning fending off Delgados men who regard the condemned man as part saint part Robin Hood and a soontobe martyr But as time passes Lockes respect for Delgado grows and he learns that the sheriff has his own reasons for wanting the man dead What ensues is High Noon meets High Plains Drifter in a shootemup showdown