Police Line-Up #1

Andy "Squint" Sheridan, a feared enforcer with a history of violence, rises through the ranks of New York’s underworld, from a troubled youth to a top hitman for Dutch Schultz. As his past catches up with him, a mysterious murder on the waterfront draws the attention of Special Agent Potter, who sets a trap to expose the killer using a lineup of suspects.

In 1938, Wally Marvin, a seemingly kind and helpful newcomer in a small midwestern city, wins the affection of Sally and the trust of his neighbors, especially the church community. When a bartender is killed in a robbery, suspicion briefly falls on Wally, but he avoids detection—until a wounded survivor survives and identifies him, leading to a dramatic confrontation.

Irene Schroeder and her reluctant accomplice Glen Dague flee across the country after a string of robberies, evading police while growing increasingly desperate. As their escape leads them through small towns and narrow escapes, tensions rise between the two, especially when Irene’s violent impulses clash with Glen’s fear. Their final run toward the Mexican border ends in a high-speed chase that leaves their fate hanging in the balance.

A historical overview traces the evolution of incendiary weapons from ancient Greek-fire, a volatile mixture used by Byzantine forces to repel Saracen invaders, to the flame-throwers of World War II, highlighting how centuries-old principles were revived in modern warfare. The story examines key developments, from the use of sealed jars by Mongolian armies to the strategic deployment of flaming missiles during the defense of Constantinople.

Michael Strong, the private eye, is drawn into a deadly game when Princess Iona of Sumaria, a woman with a hidden agenda, hires him to protect a priceless diamond en route to the British Museum. As the plane crosses the Atlantic, a series of mysterious deaths unfold, each tied to the gem’s dark legacy and a fanatical cult known as El Kara. With danger mounting and trust shattered, Strong must unravel the truth before the next life is claimed.