Deadly Trade

Private Detective Deacon Bishop doesn't especially like the missing person case he's assigned. For one thing, he's afraid his client will kill the man if he finds him. For another, something just doesn't feel right. But Bishop's qualms about this case are nothing compared to the troubles that fall on him when a rival detective arrives in his office with his gun out. Bishop finds himself embroiled in murder, blackmail, and what looks like it might be the beginning of a shakeout in the local organized crime outfit as the Portello family may finally be losing its grip. Bishop goes to work, alternating questions with hard fists, to find both the missing musician and to follow clues that might lead to mob leader Frank Portello's missing ledgers. If he can find those--along with the code book that opens their secret, Bishop actually stands a chance of achieving his fondest dream (even fonder than bagging every blond, brunette and redhead in Austin, Texas)--putting the Portello crime family out of business and on death row. Of course, staying alive while he's looking isn't easy--and Bishop quickly piles up a large number of enemies including candidates for governor, mobsters, and a truly dangerous pool-hall operator.