Saxon returns to his hometown, Chicago, where one of his oldest pals, cop Gavin Cassidy, has died of a lethal combination of drugs and alcohol in a cheap hotel. But his death might not have been accidental after all—and, while pursuing leads, Saxon must deal with the inner demons that confront him in a cast of friends and enemies from his youth, including his first lover and even his own ex-con father. Had Gavin Cassidy “seen the elephant” and been unable to extricate himself from a life-threatening situation until it was too late?

“Facile but oddly touching in the father-son rapprochement scenes. A semi-hardboiled trip down memory lane, guided by a capable old pro.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Excerpt: The man who opened the door was old, over 70. Somehow I’d expected him to look the way he had the last time I’d seen him, and the fact that he didn’t was a severe shock to me. He was shorter than I remembered, about five seven, but perhaps age had shrunk him an inch or two. He had a full head of coarse, iron gray hair that he’d combed with his fingers, and his day-old beard stubble was white, making him look even older. His eyes were yellow-brown and dull; they’d seen too much in too many years. The skin on his face was puffy and wrinkled, the color and texture of an old grocery bag. He looked at me and his cigarette wiggled a bit as he attempted the smallest of smiles.

“Hello, kiddo. I heard you was in town. C’mon in,” my father said.

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Publication Year: 1992

Pages: 278