Francis Linn Darling returns to Nicaragua seven years after serving as a U.S. military advisor during the Contrarrevoluci�n in 1985, seeking penitence for his role in several sanctioned killings, unaware that he himself is the target of a murder plot by his former handler. Frank is a living example of traditional Appalachian culture. An extensive knowledge of small arms makes him an asset for covert operations during the Nicaraguan civil war. However, his self-reliance and individuality create friction in the Recon Unit he is assigned to. Although a Marine, he's not a team player. The violence has also brought out another side of Frank-an inner turmoil which leads to being ruthless and cold-blooded. After an incident which led to the slaughter of dozens of people, his CO recommends transfer back to the States. Edward Rettig, the CIA officer responsible for assigning operations, sees an opportunity to take advantage of Frank's skills and recruits him for his own objectives, which include murder. But after returning home, the blood-guilt cannot be resolved by religion, counselors, or family. As a last resort, Frank returns to Nicaragua looking for his lost sense of self. The combination of paranoia over past murders, the sudden disappearance of another officer, and Frank's surreptitious movements convinces Ed he is back for revenge. Although spontaneous, Frank's travels remind him of the man he was, and who he could be again, as he meets new friends, revisits an old priest who shares a common bond of hunting, and falls in love with a woman who also carries emotional wounds from the war. The final confrontation pits Ed and a Nicaraguan colonel against Frank, who must choose who he really is: a trusting, religious and simple-hearted man, or a hardened and brutal killer. Contains strong language, graphic violence and local Spanish/Indian dialects.

Portraits of life in the Swinging Seventies from Jon Bradshaw, the "Indiana Jones of journalism", a forgotten master of longform magazine writing.