Son of the former governor of Florida, Jack Swyteck's first job out of law school had been a four year stint
with the Freedom Institute, a group of lawyers who only work on defending the guilty on Death Row. For 4 years
Jack filed petitions for stays of execution to keep Theo Knight alive. Finally DNA tests proved Theo innocent.
They became best friends. After Jack resigned from the Freedom Institute
(The Pardon) he became a
Federal District Attorney, but finally left to become a criminal defense lawyer in Miami, Florida.
Jack's former girt friend, Jessie Merrill, asks him to take her case against Viatical Solutions. When she had
been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease, which is fatal, she sold her 3 million dollar life insurance
policy to a group of investors for $1 1/2 million. They were to receive the $3 million death benefits when she
died. The doctor got the diagnosis wrong and she wasn't going to die.
Viatical Solutions is suing to recover their money. Jack wins the case for her, but he discovers that both he
and Viatical are victims of an elaborate scam by both Jessie and her doctor.
When Jessie's nude body is found in his bathtub, Jack becomes the prime suspect. A powerful consortium is
willing to go to any lengths to recover their money. Jack must search for the killer who seems bent on framing
him. His discovery comes as a great shock and surprise.
This is another excellent legal thriller with plenty of excitement and suspense. The characters, both good
and bad, are well portrayed with human flaws and weaknesses. The relationship between Jack and Theo is engaging
and refreshing. The atmosphere of Miami is portrayed with much local color.