A Case of Agency

Unfortunately natural, unsettlingly suicide, or alarmingly murder? These perplexing questions about six deaths in the past year plague Heartland Home, a full-service care facility located in the Mississippi River town of Davenport, Iowa. Administrators at Heartland are hesitant to report these matters to the police for fear of alarming the over 300 residents. Disingenuously semi-retired private investigator Bertrand McAbee is smooth-talked by his physician, who is also the Medical Director at Heartland, to volunteer his time with four residents in assisted care. Unaware of any irregularities, McAbee and his maimed rescue dog Tipsy, agree to regular sessions with these four residents in the hope of improving their spirits. McAbee, a fixer by nature, exerts his skills to aid the four. However, when one of his charges dies in a suspicious accident, McAbee learns the disturbing concerns that a murderer may be afoot at Heartland. Skeptical at first, McAbee becomes convinced that one or more agents are behind the mysterious deaths. McAbee invokes the assistance of his long-time antagonistically connected comrades, Augusta Satin, Barry Fisk, and Jack Scholz, of his ACJ Agency to delve into the matter. Patterns are investigated to no avail. Finally, with a sudden inspiration, McAbee senses he has found a key to the solution of these murders. After setting a complicated trap, McAbee finds himself in a seeming checkmate as he tries to bring a successful close to the case.