Porto Vecchio

About the Book

May 19, 1992 was an unusual day. In Washington D.C., Chris Jenkins’ office is searched by the FBI. About the same time, half way around the world, Sampiero Bussaglia has just completed another bombing of a colonial summer mansion in Corsica. Meanwhile, on the same day, in Chicago Illinois, a teenager takes his life after being outed as gay. One day, three incidents, seemingly unrelated. But are they?

Chris Jenkins, by reputation and his own admission, is one hot-shot of a lawyer in Washington. He knows how to bend the rules and apply pressure to get the achieved result for his client. This life on the edge sometimes requires his clients to send him off to faraway places to avoid being subpoenaed to testify. May 19, 1992, was one of those days. He had just gotten a subpoena quashed. However, he knew the Feds would be back with a proper subpoena and he had to be legitimately on vacation to avoid obstruction of justice charges.

But before Chris leaves Washington, he needs to pay two of his girlfriends a visit. His doctor had advised him of the dangers of his life on the edge when it came to sexual matters. And so he had determined that wherever his client sent him, he would remain celibate. But that was tomorrow.

Tomorrow finds Chris on his way to Corsica. It is France like he wanted. But it also has many separatist movements that engage in bombings and other terrorism. Sampiero Bussaglia, a member of one of those separatist movements, the FLNC, intercepts the FAX with the particulars about Chris’ arrival. Without the FLNC’s consent, Sampiero decides to meet Chris and take him hostage.

Chris, of course, expects to be welcomed into protective custody, and so when the two meet at Campo Dell Oro airport, the hostage issue never comes up. When Sampiero realizes that Chris is in good shape and only in his 30's, he offers the ultimate in client protection, a camping trip into the mountains.

Chris, duty-bound to obey his doctor, is elated by the prospect of being in the mountains and sequestered from temptation. Sampiero, not wanting to raise the hostage issue until the FLNC approved of his plan, is more than happy to take Chris into the mountains. Indeed, both have such a good time that Sampiero never gets the opportunity to tell Chris he is a hostage.

Meanwhile, unknown to Sampiero, the FLNC voted and rejected his plan. They commissioned his long time friend, Irena, to inform him of their decision and their demand that he abort his plan. If he doesn’t do so, he would be branded a renegade and a contract placed on his head.

There isn’t much time. In 72 hours, the world will know. Matters get even more complicated when the camping trip brings back memories of love and love rejected for both Chris and Sampiero. Set against lush backdrops, this novel interweaves contemporary social issues with political strife in the land that invented “vendetta” and is filled with suspense, action, and intrigue.

About the Author

Born and raised in Chicago, the author is a lawyer by profession. As an immigration lawyer, he is no stranger to controversy. In this novel, he has arguably taken on one of the most controversial subjects of the early 21st century. His hobbies include travel, horses, and hiking. After a stint with the federal government in Washington D.C., the author now calls Colorado home. In this his first novel, he blends his 30+ legal experience with his first hand knowledge of Corsica, Washington D.C., and Colorado to tell a tale of intrigue, suspense, and self-reckoning.