Necessary Evils — Randel Quadros

Necessary Evils is a captivating mystery about exploitation and betrayal set against the war in Vietnam. After graduating from West Point in 1969, Ronald Whitaker, a young ambitious second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, volunteers for Vietnam. A few months after arriving, he unexpectedly finds himself in a fierce battle of his life. But it isn't a battle with the North Vietnamese Army; it's a battle with the U.S. Army that would eternally change his life.

When two soldiers in his platoon falsely accuse Whitaker of recklessly leading his men into an ambush and then cowardly deserting the platoon in the midst of the ensuing fire fight, he faces the destruction of his military career, the death of his life's dream to have a life in the military, and the obliteration of his personal reputation. Although he fights hard to save himself from the bogus charges, he loses and is unceremoniously booted out of the army. Unknown to him at the time was the truth that he never stood a chance to win his case. Nefarious forces had already ensured his fate.

Years later in civilian life, Whitaker unexpectedly learns his court-martial had been a sham. He had been used by the army as a scapegoat. Invigorated by confirmation of his long-held suspicions, he plunges headlong into unraveling the mystery that had haunted him for so many years. But he isn't prepared to confront the truth when he finds it. After encountering a maze of twists, turns, and lies during his search, he discovers that a former friend had betrayed him and was responsible for destroying his military career. Whitaker now struggles with himself and what he needs to do to obtain justice.

A story of courage and tragedy, your eyes will be glued to the pages of Necessary Evils as you eagerly follow every step of Whitaker's quest right up to the explosive and shocking ending.