First Counsel

Michael Garrick is a young man with a dream job. As a lawyer in the White House, he rubs shoulders with the top men and women in the country. And that includes Shadow, the Secret Service code name for the First Daughter, Nora Hartson, who likes Michael a lot. It's difficult dating the First Daughter; Michael and Nora are never alone, and Nora has a rebellious streak about the constant surveillance she is under, so it is no surprise when she encourages Michael to lose the tail when they are out one evening. But when they see Edgar Simon, the President's chief advisor and Michael's boss, in a gay bar, they decide to follow him. What they see will put Michael's career--and his life--in danger.Back at the White House, Michael talks to one of his colleagues about the legal and ethical issues of the Edgar Simon situation. She says she will get back to him, but before she does she is murdered, and Michael is on the list of suspects. Nora could corroborate his alibi, but suddenly it's impossible to get hold of her. She doesn't answer his calls and, when Michael finally does speak to her, she doesn't want to be involved, leaving him baffled and vulnerable.This is a roller coaster of a thriller, one with a unique view of the day to day dealings in the most powerful house in the world. --Otto Penzler