PeterCartermeetsofficialresistancewhenhefindshis9yearolddaughterhasbeenthevictimofthepedophilepatriarchofthetown'smostpowerfulfamily                                     JeanCarter,nineyearolddaughterofthetown'snewlyappointedschoolprincipal,PeterCarterandhiswifeSally,isplayinginthewoodswithher11yearoldfriendLucille,whenJeandiscoversshehaslostherpursecontainingher"candy"moneyLucilletellshersheknowswheretheycangetsweetsfornothing,andleadshertoanimposingmansion,fromwhichtheowner,ClarenceOlderberry,Sr,atall,gauntmanof70hasbeenwatchingthegirlsfromawindowThatnightJean,unabletosleep,tellsherparentsthatOldeberrymadeherandLucilledancebeforehimnudeinexchangeforsomecandyCarterfilesacomplaint,butthelocalpolicechief,CaptainHammond,isskepticalofJean'sstoryandwarnsCarterthattheOldenberryfamilyputthetownonthemapandhavefarmorestandinginthecommunitythanthenewcomerCartersOldenberry,JralsotellsCarter