Patterns of Abuse: a Novel of Politics and Power

There has been a cover-up in Washington-a conspiracy that will rock the White House to its foundation. On the eve of a top-secret raid by the United States to rescue hostages in Lebanon, Charles Sampson, a young and ambitious reporter, learns of the plan and intends to disclose it before the actual raid. Exposure will abort the painstakingly detailed mission. Yet despite a personal plea from President Hoskins, the popular leader seeking reelection, the reporter refuses to sit on this scoop. Out of desperation, the President makes an arbitrary, unilateral decision to "confine" Sampson until the rescue mission is completed. But he does not reckon on the reporter's accidental death en route to a safe house. The raid is successful and Eugene Hoskins, more of an American hero than ever before, coasts into the White House for a second term. Meanwhile the murky details of Sampson's sudden death disturb his unscrupulous editor, George Stevens. His self-serving maneuvers set into play a series of events that threatens to destroy established careers and topple an administration.