Conflict of Interest

by Terry Lewis

Ted Stevens is a capable, respected trial attorney whose drinking problem and pending divorce have sent him on a downward slide. His appointment as defense counsel in a high-profile murder case seems to offer a chance at redemption. This opportunity, however, is not without risks. The victim—a local newspaper reporter known for her loose lifestyle and willingness to take risks to get a story—was not only a former client but his secret lover as well. Ted must choose between concealing evidence that would be helpful to his client or revealing it, thereby becoming a suspect himself. As the case progresses toward trial, Ted's personal and professional lives begin to unravel, and he becomes more and more reckless in his efforts to keep suspicion away from himself. The stakes are raised when an anonymous caller informs Ted that his secret has been discovered. Ted and his blackmailer begin a cat-and-mouse game that puts Ted further in jeopardy. When it appears that he is about to be exposed,