Craven

Thomas Craven is a snappy dresser, art school graduate and antique dealer. He is also a faker and forger, a coward, and an all round detestable person. He is in partnership with Charlie Feathers, also crooked, with whom he once shared a cell. Their two employees are Ray, a middle-aged craftsman, and Cassius, a black rugby player in his early twenties.
The mysterious Mr. Deville contacts their firm and an agreement is made, so Craven and company begin collecting artifacts for the new customer.
The attractive Amanda Hastings and her father are on the trail of Deville, their journey taking them through time and space. Now she is forced to obtain the help of someone she detests, Thomas Craven. Together they follow events to their conclusions, and the terrible purpose Deville plans for two civilizations.
Somehow, Craven turns out to be the unlikely hero in the end.

Gil Jackman was born in Liverpool, England, became Architectural Draughtsman, then joined the Royal Marine Commandos and saw action in Cyprus, Aden and Northern Ireland. Wounded twice, Jackman left the Royal Marines as a SNCO and went to New Zealand, where he joined the NZ SAS and became a SNCO. After Vietnam Gil joined the NZ Police, serving as a Det/Sgt. He then returned to the UK and opened a gym - teaching bodybuilding, karate and general fitness. Later, he found a position on cruise ships as Chief of Security, serving for sixteen years. Besides the UK, Jackman has lived in NZ, France and South Africa.