Friendly Fire

2024 Feathered Quill Book Award winner, Mystery/Suspense category In the tradition of the best legal and politicalthrillers,Friendly Fireisan explosive tale of greed,revenge,treason,andmurder. When Geoffrey Tate, one of the world's richestindividualsand the CEOof Yukon,the country'spreeminentartificial intelligence company, isshot and killed by his youngtrophywife,it's going to grab headlines. And seasonedNewshoundreporterNikByron intends to be the one generating them. But Nik's investigation quickly leads him down a treacherouspath he didn't foresee. The sensational trial that follows Tate's death threatens to derailBullwhip-themilitary's nextgeneration of AI-inspired war machines-and scramblethe fortunesofpolitical heavyweightsandPentagon brassalike. Hisjournalistic instincts aroused, Nik embarksonan uncertain hunt for the truththat takes him deep intothe murky worlds ofWashingtonlobbyists, themilitary-industrialcomplex,andthe Saudi intelligence apparatus. Underminedby a vindictive boss andajealousrival reporter,Nik turns totrustedNewshoundcolleagues,Mia Landry and Patrick "Mo" Morgan-as well asa Pentagon whistleblower-to land his story and unravelthe mystery surrounding Tate's death. But in doing so Nik risks alienatingSamantha Whyte, the chief investigator for the Northern Virginia County Sheriff's Departmentand his lover. Worse still, the storyputs him in the sights ofa contract killer.