National Network for Equitable Library Service

Cal Claxton is determined to reinvent himself as a small town lawyer in the aftermath of his wife’s suicide. Once a hardcharging L.A. prosecutor, he now lives in an old farmhouse overlooking the Oregon wine country. When a scruffy, tattooed kid shows up asking for help in solving his mother’s cold case murder, Cal wants to say no. But the kid, who calls himself Picasso, has ridden a bike from Portland, and something about his determination touches Cal. It turns out Picasso is a gifted artist. He’s also one of the legions of street kids who are drawn to Portland’s Old Town. A reluctant Cal finds Picasso painting a mural on the side of a health clinic run by an idealistic doctor. Then Picasso is charged with the murder of a major business figure. The evidence is overwhelming. Suddenly Cal finds himself back in the game, pitted against the police, the media and some of Portland’s most powerful citizens. Is Picasso being framed? And if so, is there a connection between the murder of his mom and this new killing?