Blood Work, the New Rugged Cross

Jack Lee is finishing an intense and solitary three year meditation retreat that began shortly after his acquittal on smuggling charges. During the trial, he had received much unwanted attention, and become something of a celebrity. Now retired from the 'herb' Trade, he re-enters the world, and in short order finds love and begins to envision a new life. Then his best friend and old partner in the Trade is murdered in horrific fashion, an event that shakes him to his core and relegates his newly made plans to secondary status. He is driven to find out who killed his friend, and this leads him back into a world he had vowed to put behind him. And from his first backward step into this world the earth threatens to open beneath his feet and swallow him whole. The character of Jack Lee is revealed to the reader through his actions, rather than through interior monologues, or biographical recitation. Moreover, through those same actions, Jack Lee is revealed to himself in startling fashion.