Jackpot Justice — Marilyn J. Wooley

Winner of the St. Martin's Malice Domestic First Novel Award

When Cassandra Ringwald, a psychologist, accepts an offer from an attorney to do a psychological evaluation on one of his clients, she thinks it will be good for her budding career. Cassie has no idea that she might end up nearly paying with her life.

Cassie is hired to evaluate Homer Johnson, a young Native American man who has been brought up on kidnapping charges. The first time that Cassie meets with him, she is repulsed by his attitude and also by the swastikas that he has on his shoes. She is also semi intrigued by his character--he is clearly more intelligent than the skinheads that he hangs out with, but he seems to want to protect them.

As the story of what happened the night Anerd Woods disappeared continues to unravel, with little help from Homer, Cassie becomes even more determined to find the truth. She wants to know why Homer is staying so quiet when his whole life is hanging on the line.

Cassie sets out on her journey to find more answers. The deeper she digs, the more she learns that there are many hidden aspects of this case--greed, self-interest, private agendas and danger to her and those around her.