The Aremac Project — Gerald M. Weinberg

Young genius Roger Fixman is unprepared for what happens after inventing Aremac, a machine that extracts pictures from people's minds.

The legal system is thrown into chaos. Corporations play dirty tricks on Fixman to steal the patent and grab the profits. Terrorists holding Chicago hostage want to destroy Fixman's machine before the FBI discovers their plans by using Aremac to interrogate a captured bomber.

When the prisoner is murdered in custody, the FBI accuses Roger's cousin. Though his wife, Tess, knows the identity of the real murderer, a programming flaw in Aremac has rendered her unable to move or communicate.

Can Roger correct the bugs and save Tess before her body fails? Can he prevent Aremac from falling into unscrupulous hands? Or will, once again, age and treachery triumph over youth and hope?