Chapters 1-5 Summary

Dismas Hardy looks into the death of a friend, Eddie Cochran, at the request of the deceased brother in law. Hardy finds it hard to believe that the man he knew had killed himself as the police seem to believe. Through investigation and instinct, Hardy is able to uncover the truth behind Eddie's death, bringing both peace and dismay to those involved.

In chapter one, Dismas Hardy, a 38-year-old bartender returns to San Francisco from a two week vacation in Baja. Hardy had hoped to do some soul searching and had traveled alone, afraid that if a friend had gone he might not be able to break away from the rut his life had become. At home, Dismas sits quietly, contemplating his life. At one time he had been a father, a husband, a police officer and an attorney. Though not...