Vermont State Police Major Crime Investigator Lieutenant Donald Dark has a lot on his mind. Failures in his personal life and growing concerns about the value of dying in a police action related to the unstoppable illicit drug epidemic in America have him doubting his career. Investigating the likely drugs related homicide of a young state trooper greatly amplifies his uncertainty.

Early in his investigation the Lieutenant has a remarkable, brief encounter with a woman whose words echo some of his own views. Her possible involvement puzzles him. Wanting to know more about her and feeling an attraction exists between them launches the troubled Lieutenant on a dangerous odyssey to find her. Despite being advised by others to move on the Lieutenant is unable to restrain himself, even to the extent of challenging his professionalism.

Combining his personal quest with the homicide and drug crimes he is investigating leads Dark, and unfortunately others, into a series of exactly the life and death settings that have been worrying him. Not surprisingly, it also threatens to destroy Dark's only female relationship over the years.

Part mystery, part search for love, part psychological drama, in this tale Donald Dark's immediate future becomes anybody's guess…including his own.

Robert Karp

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