 Mark s young friend is murdered by Brud, an escaped convict. Brud shows up at the home of his father and mother, Mr & Mrs Avery, seeking shelter. The elderly couple had settled in North Fork and changed their names to escape the notorious reputation of their son. Mark discovers that Joey s murderer is being sheltered by Mr & Mrs Avery, and Brud convinces him to stay quiet in order to protect the Avery s. Mark does so, but Lucas knows Mark is worried about the Avery s, so he rides to the Avery s. Lucas is taken prisoner by Brud. The Avery s must somehow help him if he is to live.