PeterCartermeetsofficialresistancewhenhefindshis9yearolddaughterhasbeenthevictimofthepedophilepatriarchofthetown'smostpowerfulfamily. JeanCarter,nine-year-olddaughterofthetown'snewly-appointedschoolprincipal,PeterCarterandhiswifeSally,isplayinginthewoodswithher11-year-oldfriendLucille,whenJeandiscoversshehaslostherpursecontainingher"candy"money.Lucilletellshersheknowswheretheycangetsweetsfornothing,andleadshertoanimposingmansion,fromwhichtheowner,ClarenceOlderberry,Sr.,atall,gauntmanof70hasbeenwatchingthegirlsfromawindow.ThatnightJean,unabletosleep,tellsherparentsthatOldeberrymadeherandLucilledancebeforehimnudeinexchangeforsomecandy.Carterfilesacomplaint,butthelocalpolicechief,CaptainHammond,isskepticalofJean'sstoryandwarnsCarterthattheOldenberryfamilyputthetownonthemapandhavefarmorestandinginthecommunitythanthenew-comerCarters.Oldenberry,Jr.alsotellsCarter..bbb