A police detective named Howard gets a call from and old friend of his, dying in a hospital, about how a serial killer named Lyle Collins who had murdered the friend's daughter's boyfriend is being released from the mental hospital where he's been confined for 15 years since they were unable to prove his guilt. Howard sets out to track the man.

A couple, the Lanes, moves into an old, country farmhouse and is touched by a sentimental grave to a "Princess Jenny," presumably someone's beloved companion. They tend the grave and make up stories about Princess Jenny as all kinds of magical animal for their young daughter.

One day, a man arrives after being released from a mental hospital, for 15 years, introduces himself as Lyle Collins, and tells the couple it's the grave of his beloved pet, Princess Jenny. He says he was bipolar and homeless after being fired from his job as a university professor and lived in the abandoned house with Princess Jenny, a dog, as his only friend 15 years ago, until she died. He wants to move her body with him. The couple is touched and arranges for him to come back the next day. They dig up the grave and pull out a large bag. However, at that moment Howard comes running in and knocks Lyle unconscious, identifying himself to the couple. He tells them the truth about Lyle. When the couple doesn't believe him, he opens the bag to reveal a suitcase of Lyle's trophies from his various murders. Mrs. Lane says she will never be able to unsee a red streak that was in the basement when they moved in as blood. Howard asks them not to describe his assault on Lyle. Mr. Lane asks if his family was ever in danger. Howard replies “Just so we’re clear, counselor, are you asking me if your family was ever in danger from a homicidal maniac who kills randomly and who has buried his trophy case next to your house?”

Howard had found a similar grave, to a "Princess Anne" long ago in his investigations outside Ann Arbor. He reflects on the ingenuity of hiding such trophies in plain sight, in graves nobody would disturb. He plans to call the Ann Arbor police with directions to the grave the next day.