NO WITNESS

Social justice takes center stage when an Oregon lawyer takes a case at the intersection of immigration and investigation.

Cal Claxton’s law office in Dundee, about 25 miles outside of bustling Portland, is a bread-and-butter practice, working a wide gamut of cases ranging from criminal court to disputes between divorcing pet parents. But Cal’s a longtime social justice advocate and pro bono lawyer for those who need him, too, and he definitely has enough work to share when an eager young man shows up at his door looking for a job. Timoteo Fuentes has hustle and business cards and declares that he can’t wait to work for Cal. Under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, Timoteo is grateful to have opportunities his parents never had as they lived their lives under the radar, and he shares some of his story with Cal. Before Timoteo’s work can begin in earnest, however, tragedy strikes: His sister, Olivia, is gunned down while trying to pick him up at work. Now Timoteo needs more than Cal’s support as an employer; he needs his investigative skills to figure out who had a motive for killing Olivia. In fact, he could use the help of Cal’s latest lady friend, Zoe, a counselor who might be able to support his mother in her grief. Surprised by his own interest in Zoe beyond the case, Cal wonders if he’s finally ready to get serious about a woman or if he’ll continue to let the ghost of his wife figuratively haunt his love life.

Not enough mystery in this installment of an otherwise solid series.