The Factory

About the Book

A combined task force made up of federal and state law enforcement agencies have  been working for the better part of a year to close down one of the largest narcotics operations ever encountered in New York. The only part of the puzzle that refuses to fall into place is the location of the factory where the raw product is cut for street use.

In total frustration, they enlist the aid of homicide Detective Sergeant Richard Jerico, a veteran of fifteen years on the force and known for his many contacts in the underworld.

Jerico is disillusioned with the legal system and the failure of the courts to convict the criminals he so diligently brings before them.  His frustration is interpreted by his superiors as anger, and he is constantly admonished for using what they believe to be unnecessary force in his dealings with alleged offenders.

His boss in homicide offers his services to the NARCs with the belief that the change will save his career. With the help of a boyhood friend, Benny Giordano, who operates on the fringe of the underworld, Jerico becomes a rogue cop.  He makes contact with the people running the drug operation, and with the promise of providing them large quantities of uncut product and the statement, "I'm tired of sittin' in the cheap seats, and want to make some money", he earns their acceptance as the silent partner of his friend.

However, they do not completely trust him and to assure that Jerico comes through with his first delivery of ten kilos of raw product, the druggies kidnap Ginger, his one love outside the police force.  This presents a conflicting situation for Jerico that he is not prepared to face.  This being the desire to accomplish his mission of locating the factory and the responsibility he feels for Ginger's safety.  This conflict results in his taking the law  that he no longer has confidence in, into his own hands.

The story combines intrigue, suspense, murder, love, romance, loyalty, devotion and many other emotional situations and moves rapidly to a surprise conclusion.

About the Author

Earl Edenfield retired from the U. S. Coast Guard in 1973 after twenty-six years of service. During his career he commanded both vessels and shore units. Just prior to his retirement he served as Captain of the Port of Jacksonville, Florida, and on the staff of the Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District in Miami, Florida. He resides in Jacksonville, Florida. Edenfield's other works include "GRASS" IS WHERE YOU FIND IT and THE CURSE OF THE AURORA. "GRASS" IS WHERE YOU FIND IT covers the combined efforts of the U. S. Coast Guard and U. S. Customs to stop the smuggling of marijuana into the southeast United States in the early seventies. THE CURSE OF THE AURORA is a side-splitting novel about the fate of a Coast Guard vessel that is cursed by a bona fide witch in the Caribbean.