Demons in Good Intentions

In this tale from the Judah Halevi Journals, demons unleashed by deeds done with the best of intentions threaten to destroy the best of men. Vienna, 1804. The Baron von Tedesco has become a powerful figure in the Austrian Court by protecting the interests of his Emperor. Now the Baron suspects that the coded messages among the Allies against Napoleon are being copied on their way to Vienna. He deploys his most trusted associates, Lieutenant-Commander Robert Parker and the Spanish doctor, Judah Halevi Nieto, to uncover the plot. The primary suspect is a member of The Riding Club, an exclusive retreat for the powerful elite who seek pleasures with other men. Parker and Nieto enter that world to nab their prey. Nieto plans to bait the trap with the man their suspect desires most—the redheaded youth known as Cat. Cat's appeal lies in his chameleon-like ability to be everything his clients desire, but, underneath his charming facade, lies a deep sadness studded with rage. Trafficked into prostitution as a young boy, Cat has survived by pleasing others. Through the years of abuse, he has held onto a precious dream: someday he would be rescued by his real family and finally be protected and loved. Nieto promises to find Cat's family after the young man does his bidding to entrap the suspect. But when Cat's full story is finally revealed, the young man's dreams crumble into dust and Judah Halevi can no longer avoid the pain of what he has done in his passionate pursuit of justice.