Liquidation Preference

A suspicious murder and a cryptic message threaten to uncover a secret group entrenched in the federal government that is plotting to destroy and recreate America by influencing a fundamental tenant of representative democracy — the right to choose our leaders.

The biennial national election is in full swing. Most political polls report an equally divided Country between most of the candidates. However, technologist Wayne Tran discovers it doesn’t matter how people vote.

Wayne deduces influential people are involved, and now, since he knows about the conspiracy, he assumes he is in mortal danger. Fearing for his life, Wayne emails his best friend, Bill Ockham. An hour later, Wayne is brutally murdered, reportedly by a drive-by gang shooting.

A month later, Bill receives a cryptic email from Wayne. How could that be? Is the email an ingenious way to get Bill’s attention that Wayne knew something was wrong?

Wayne’s demise adds another tragedy to Bill: a string of personal misfortunes. Three years ago, a rogue wave washed his wife out to sea, his college roommate advised him that he was too old to work in Silicon Valley, and now one of his best friends died under suspicious circumstances.

With the help of Computer Scientist Marcie Conover, Bill dedicates his time to uncover the circumstances behind Wayne’s death. They didn’t expect their quest for the truth to extend to the upper echelons of the federal government.