The Rope Diamond

A recent graduate of Southern Tier University, Tom McEnearney is working as a reporter for Arnett Newspapers in Rochester, New York. Working for the local section, he is bored covering town council meetings and writing obituaries. His girlfriend, Rachael, is also a reporter. She is a rising star and has interviewed celebrities like Neil Young and Robert Goulet. Rachael's neighbor is found dead, hanging in her basement. The police rule it a suicide. Tom suspects foul play. His investigation hits many roadblocks, including corrupt cops and people who know what Tom needs to know winding up with a bullet in their heads. These deaths are connected to a diamond that was embezzled several years prior. Receiving death threats himself, Tom needs to draw on his adroit skills as a marksman and a pugilist to prevent his own life from being snuffed out. A successful investigation would lead to the best story of his young career.