Act of Atonement

When Dr. Jim Bob Brady goes to visit his uncle Howard on the eve of Howard's liver transplantfor cirrhosis and cancer at University Hospital, Uncle Howard tells Brady a shocking story: he murderedhis best friend in his younger days, back when he was a vagabond and rode the rails. Fearing he mightnot survive the surgery he asks Brady to try and locate the family of the victim and make amends as bestas possible. Unfortunately, Howard's fears are realized, and he dies in surgery. In his uncle's honor,Brady decides to undertake the daunting task of identifying a murder victim from thirty years ago withonly a nickname and a location.While Brady investigates, Howard's family decides to sue University Hospital for negligence, and Brady istorn between loyalty to his hospital and loyalty to his uncle's family---Brady's family. Was there medicalnegligence? Should his uncle even have been a candidate for the transplant in the first place? And whois the mysterious technician who may have played a part?Brady calls on his son J.J. and J.J.'s private investigation firm to help ferret out fact from fiction. As thestory unfolds, and with the help of his beloved wife Mary Louise, Brady tries to determine whether hisefforts will result in a colossal waste of time or in an act of atonement for the murderous deeds of hisdeceased uncle.