Introduction

Back story: During the 70’s, 80’s and into the early 90’s, a small group of Puerto Rican terrorists was responsible for a number of killings and over two hundred terrorist bombings inside the United States. Their purpose was to force the United States to grant Puerto Rico its independence. Repeatedly and overwhelmingly the Puerto Rican people rejected their violent cause by voting to retain the Commonwealth status. The story: The Puerto Rican FALN terrorist cell in Chicago is infiltrated by undercover FBI agent Frank Durazo, and the leader, Ojeda Sanchez, is sent to prison for twenty-eight years. He’s out and is smacked in the face with the reality that he’s been kicked to the curb by his Cuban handlers and their Russian backers. They no longer support his cause. He blames the United States for his wasted life and has revenge of a massive scale on his mind. The popular JFK type President has just announced he has terminal cancer, will die in office and wishes to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Sanchez plans to attack the dignitaries and world leaders gathered at the funeral site. He acquires the latest DOD high tech weaponry, small robotic dragonflies that are fitted with explosives, and sends the deadly squadron on its way. Durazo is in love with Sanchez’s sister, helps her elude the arrest net in Chicago, and is discredited. He spends the remainder of his career in a dead end job at FBI headquarters. Hints of Sanchez’s plot surfaces and Durazo is brought out of moth balls and given the assignment to track down Sanchez. The smart money says Sanchez is over the hill and no threat, certainly not in the league of Middle East terrorists, but then all the bases have to be covered. Durazo’s on his own and if he fails, so what? As his boss tells the FBI Director, “He’s expendable.” Furman explores the cutting edge issues of today’s worldwide terrorist threat with an added bonus of a spellbinding (if terrifying) introduction of tomorrow's weapons. From the beginning Devil’s super story and fascinating characters will keep you entertained and totally mesmerized. -- Loyd Little, novelist, and winner of the Pen-Hemingway Award for best first novel, The Parthian Shot

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Excerpt

2:41 p.m., Soccer field outside Haymarket, Virginia: The digital read-out of the rangefinder showed the hovercraft was 587 yards away at an angle of 38 degrees. Durazo tossed the rangefinder aside and kneeled at the right front of his 911. His heart was racing and his breathing was fast and shallow. “Slow down, breathe deeply, and exhale,” he said out loud as he steadied himself for the shot. It was too cold for it, but Durazo’s forehead was beaded with sweat and a drop of it was headed for his shooting eye. With his left hand firmly anchored to the roof support he cupped the front stock into it. He pulled the butt of the rifle tightly against his shoulder and brought the scope to bear on the black dot. The dark gray cloud cover was making it difficult to differentiate the black disk from the background, but as he carefully dialed the scope it came into focus. There was a slight wind coming from the west at no more than five mph. Since the rifle was sighted dead-on at 600 yards, he adjusted his aim. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. What did you think the book was about?

2. Throughout the story the main characters made choices that had moral implications. Would you have made the same decision(s)? Why or why not?

3. Did the point-counterpoint actions between the main protagonists draw you into the action?

4. How realistic was the characterization? Would you want to meet any of the characters? Did you like them or hate them?

5. Did the book end the way you expected?

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