It is one of the oldest covert operations in our nation’s history. Deeply buried in ordinary enterprises it has remained hidden for more than seven decades. Now, to prevent a global catastrophe, it must risk exposure to find a man who has vanished with a terrifying secret.
There is one person who can help them and he is a killer. He has avoided capture for many years but he is now in grave danger. A small handful of eccentric individuals 
must keep him alive if they are to find a hellish device and the man who built it.
It won’t be easy. They are not trained agents, they don’t have guns, and no one in power will admit that they exist.
From Accountable, Chapter Twenty-Four:
“You lost someone you loved. You were full of grief and rage and so you struck out at the world – at least that part of it that was associated with Mike Henderson. You took justice into your own hands and assigned guilt. Civilization is all about not doing that.”
Ed looked out the window and listened. There was nothing to say.
“—I’m sure I could kill to protect my family, but I’d like to think I wouldn’t do what you did. The jury thought there was reasonable doubt. They determined that the state failed to prove Henderson’s guilt, but you took it on yourself to overrule them, to decide guilt and punishment. You broke the contract that separates us from savagery. It’s not okay to do that.”
Ed was silent. He had never talked to anyone about the killings. For ten years he had wanted to. He had wanted to explain himself to someone. He wanted someone to understand why he had done it. It did not seem likely now, that it would ever happen. To understand Ed Connor, one would have to be Ed Connor.
“I can understand grief and rage, but that won’t justify what you did. Maybe Lillian Xiao’s life was worth more than the lives you took, but that can’t be your decision. It can’t be up to you or any other single individual. Henderson’s crime was against Lillian Xiao. Yours was against all of us. I can’t absolve you. I don’t think anyone can, and I’m sorry because you seem want that.”
Al had privately reflected that Ed Connor was really not so different from his society. In big high profile cases, the media routinely decides guilt or innocence – whichever makes the better story. They tell one side and slant the coverage of the trial in that direction. They conduct polls to validate their conclusions with popular public opinion. If the jury comes back with a different verdict, they will whip the public into a fury of moral indignation. Justice is denied! Sometimes then there is a lynch mob or a demonstration turns into a riot; justice by referendum; truth determined by the will of the majority. In half a million years, Al thought, we have not yet outgrown that. Ed Connor had been his own lynch mob. He had decided.
…“I know he killed her. The others covered it up. I didn’t make any distinction because I didn’t see one.”
“Yes and I’m sure the good people of Salem were all absolutely certain that all the people they killed were witches. …I think you make a very bad Grand Arbiter of Justice, Dr. Connor. I think you should resign.”
Reviews of Accountable
“An enjoyable read! I love a good mystery. Several plots twists and turns, I’m looking forward to the next one. There will be a next one, right? I will recommend this book to family and friends.” – Ervin, Amazon
“This book doesn’t neatly fit into any genre, except GOOD READS! The characters are interesting, the plot is unexpected and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommended.” – Madelene Loftin
“I really enjoyed the book. I never knew that accounting could be so exciting. Looking forward to reading more from this author.” – James Barlow
