Hang Fire

Book excerpt: Ben Hunnicutt’s planned ‘together time’ in Alaska with FBI Agent Liz Nichole is interrupted by her recall to Norfolk, Virginia to work a major dope smuggling case. He reluctantly accompanies her, expecting a romantic interlude, and finds that the smugglers are operating on the lands and rivers where he grew up. His familiarity with the local people and countryside are utilized by the FBI to help in cracking the smuggling ring. During the round-up, Ben causes the death of one of a pair of murderous Irish twins who were ringleaders of the smuggling gang. On his return to Alaska, he learns that the surviving twin has escaped prison and is stalking him with vengeance in mind. His stalker is an explosives and bomb-making expert, and devises various diabolical threats designed to keep Ben in a state of fearful anxiety. FBI Agent Liz returns to Alaska to help contrive a trap, using Ben as bait, to apprehend the escaped murderer before he can carry out his scheme. The wary killer manages to stay a step ahead of his hunters, and seems destined to achieve his goal of destroying Ben. The culmination of the plot gives new meaning to the Shakespearean quotation, “Hoist by his own petard.”