Sam Ryan is under great stress when she learns that she may have a tumor. As a result, she starts to question her judgment when she misses a possible explanation in determining the time of death in the case of Lloyd Dupen's wife, an apparent suicide. She's not convinced however that everything is above board and agrees to undertake a second autopsy at the request of the dead woman's mother. She's also asked by Bishop Craig to perform an autopsy on the remains of Sister Constance, a beatified nun who died forty years ago and is under consideration for canonization. The results of the autopsy will have an impact on the religious order as well as many of those in the community who see the commercial advantages of having a local saint.

Sam's medical condition seems to worsen as rumours fly about her losing her job due to bad judgement.