Charles Beale lives happily in the shadows of Washington, D.C., as a respectable rare-books dealer. Or mostly respectable. He has a streak of the gambler in him and when a devoted client dies–a man deeply connected to the Justice Department–Beale eagerly regains the man’s book collection…and soon finds himself with more than he bid on. In one volume, Beale discovers documents incriminating a host of major political figures–blackmail material that might have led to murder. Weighing questions of justice and mercy–and with a bull’s-eye on his back–Beale must untangle a complicated knot of deadly lies and dangerous secrets.A Deadly Game of Justice Versus MercyCharles Beale lives outside the shadow of Washington, D.C. Politics and power matter only when a client crosses the Potomac to visit his Alexandria Rare Books shop. But that all changes when a former client–a man deeply connected in the Justice Department–is found murdered after a break-in gone bad.When Charles reclaims at auction the books he’d once sold, he quickly discovers he’s bought more trouble than he could have ever imagined. Inside one volume are secrets. A collection of sins that, if revealed, could destroy reputations, careers–even lives.Charles soon learns he isn’t the only who knows. Going to the police means ruining a multitude of lives. But staying silent puts a target on his shop, his wife–and himself. Charles must decide:Should one mistake really cost you everything?Paul Robertson is a computer programming consultant and a part-time high school math and science teacher. He is also a former Christian bookstore owner (for 15 years) who lives with his family in Blacksburg, Virginia.