On April 18, 1986, a newspaper article in the North Jersey Gazette reports that a boy believed to be six to eight years old was discovered in a forest near Westville, New Jersey. The boy knows English but not his name. There is no other information available to match the child with any family or existing records.

On April 23, 2020, a high school boy named Matthew Crimstein observes his classmate Naomi Pine being bullied. This is a regular occurrence, with minimal intervention from teachers. Another boy named Crash Maynard is the main instigator. A week later, Naomi disappears. 

Hester Crimstein is a very successful defense attorney; she has a television show, Crimstein on Crime. In this episode, she is discussing an ongoing case involving a controversial viral video. Hester defends the legal system, dismissing the social media outcry.

As the debate rages, Hester notices her grandson, Matthew, waiting backstage for her. Because Matthew lives far away, Hester is concerned by his arrival. Matthew’s late father, David, was Hester’s son. Matthew requests that Hester look into Naomi’s disappearance.