N R Woodside

MATTERS of FINESSE N R Woodside

Having quit her job as an Alexandria, Virginia cop, young, six foot two Mora Findley lives with her brother. She interviews with Blue Eagle Security Services, meets Madeleine Eagle and Dieter Frost, and realizes this is a firm with work she would like. In heartache over a missing boyfriend, who failed to call after a wonderful night, she wants to redirect her life. When she goes to buy a car, she discovers her identity has been stolen and her credit ruined.

Madeleine agrees to give her a three month probationary job and Mora starts work determined to ace this job opportunity. She starts her first case with partner Nate Thomas, but only after she views her first murdered body, who may link to her missing boyfriend Stefano.

The BESS (Blue Eagle Security Services) members support Mora as a second dead body appears in the parking lot. This publicly made message now means that the police are involved. Mora's shadowed lover returns to protect her - and himself-from the criminal gang involved. Mora has to determine her personal and her professional values and decide how she will respond to her lover.

Survival requires an Internet scam and psychological manipulation by both Dieter and Stefano. Physical danger makes practicality the major virtue. Mora manages to close her first case and follow the gang at BESS as they protect her back. The scam's outcome is not guaranteed; the showdown takes place in a DC warehouse complex during a stormy June night. Mora has made choices and found a tribe, as she favors actions over words.