Michael A. Black, A Final Judgment

A Final Judgment

Michael A. Black

Five Star, October 2006, $25.95

ISBN 1594144265

In Chicago, attorney Rick Walters hires private detective Ron Shade to conduct an investigation in support of a wrongful death lawsuit in Cook County. Rick's clients, parents of deceased Laura Gooding, are suing their former son-in-law Todd, acquitted in a Cook County case, of killing their daughter. Ron, a contender for the heavyweight title of the World Kickboxing Association, looks at the files and cannot see how the husband was acquitted, as the evidence stacks up that he killed his wife, and there were no mistakes by the cops or the prosecution. The other side has the elite of lawyers Mason Gilbert and the legend of sleuths Big John Flood.

Ron's nemesis Police Lieutenant Bielmaster asks Ron to do him a favor; Ron, who blames Bielmaster for getting him kicked off the police force plans to say no, until he sees the cop looking frail as he lies in a hospital bed recovering from bypass surgery. Beilmaster's eighteen year old daughter Grace is Yale bound if they can keep Tim Knop away from her. Three years ago Tim impregnated Grace who gave up the child for adoption, and her boyfriend went to jail for sexual abuse of a minor.

Besides wondering if Ron will finally fight for the title, as he was injured twice before doing his day job (see A KILLING FROST and WINDY CITY KNIGHTS), fans will enjoy Ron work the two assignments while also training. The storyline is fast-paced in and out of the gym, as Ron begins to uncover fraud in the judicial system, while Rick's two female employees react differently towards him; one seems to hero worship him, while the other thinks he is a muscular bum.