by M. Clement Hall (Author)
An injured derelict receives inadequate attention and dies in Milltown Hospital. He's found to be a Federal agent The hospital will be forced to close unless their emergency surgical care is improved. Trauma surgeon, Simeon Macdonald, joins their staff. He performs a life-saving, damage control operation in the Emergency Department on a severely injured truck driver but is crudely criticized by the chief of surgery. The trucker recovers and then surprisingly dies, the cause of death is not established. At the inquest improprieties with the trucker's wife are implied, resulting in criticism of Simeon's personal behavior. Simeon's previously thriving practice falls off. Due to severely reduced income, Simeon's wife decides to return to her former work running her family owned exotic car salesroom. She complains bitterly she's "tied to a loser" and demands separation with double indemnity life insurance in her name. Simeon's nurse has an accident while driving his car, found to be sabotaged. Further attempts on Simeon's life and further law suits raise the questions: Who wants Simeon dead? Will he lose his license to practice? Why was the Federal agent killed?
With a pistol tucked into his waistbelt, Simeon sets out to find the answers.