A great buildup to introducing Steve Vail, the unique character, who emerges after several FBI agents are killed in a twisted plot of extortion and madness. The story unfolds with ever increasing challenges through a maze of set ups that fool the FBI, and leads Steve Vail deeper into a web of anger, greed, and romance. However, the developing romance between Kate and Steve could have been handled with more sophistication at the end to make a truly great read.