Palm Beach Gold

Book excerpt: Jake Fox, an aviation accident attorney, graduated from law school during a break from his Air Force tour of duty. He served as a pilot in the Viet Nam War avoiding injury or death flying the high risk missions out of Thailand into North Viet Nam. Upon release from the Air Force, he begins his legal career handling uninspiring minor injury cases until a more substantial case provides him with the funds necessary to move his practice to Palm Beach. After three years handling small property cases in Palm Beach, he is retained by a wealthy Palm Beach gold merchant, Trey Fielding, with respect to a minor federal air regulation violation. Jake fortunately wins the case and the two men strike up a friendship. When Trey Fielding loses his life while flying his single engine airplane, his very attractive wife, Michelle, retains Jake as her attorney to represent Trey's family for the loss of a husband and father. The Fielding case against the aircraft and engine manufacturer becomes a highly publicized, high value target for the many parties eager to get a slice of the pie. Jake battles not only the able defense attorneys on the case but also the various interests that are trying to assume control of the case. While preparing for trial, Jake must also deal with growing allegations that Michelle was a knowing participant in creating the conditions that led to her husband's death. The novel winds its way through the many challenges of the trial to the final outcome of the case and the realization on Jake's part that doing the right thing is not always an easy choice.