All That Was Once Hidden - Paperback

by J. N. Banta (Author)

Michael Campbell received the fateful call of his wife's murder while in Siena, Italy, on his latest work project. Caroline was the love of his life, notwithstanding their recent marital challenges. He knew she was unhappy, he knew he was struggling, but what he couldn't know, couldn't have predicted, was that she was nearly eight weeks pregnant. Caroline's last words to him were a text- "I'm looking forward to that discussion we planned"-that ended with a heart emoji. She never used emojis in her texts, especially hearts. Cynically, Michael hadn't replied, believing his attorney wife was eager to deliver a legal exposé on his shortcomings as a husband.

Caroline had apparently interrupted a random, unprofessional burglary in their Georgetown home, one they were renovating in the upscale neighborhood of Washington, DC. The police said cash and jewelry had been taken from the home, but her $15,000 Rolex was left on her arm, and the alarm system had been disabled with no evidence of tampering. Both were red flags for Dan Healy, the dogged detective working the case. Healy's prime suspects became the short-list of those that knew the alarm code: An arrogant home contractor, a strong-willed cleaning lady and her drifter brother, a work colleague, and even Michael himself.

But are any of these truly capable of murder? The suspense builds as the shocking motive is revealed and older crimes and deceptions are uncovered. From upscale Georgetown to historic Vatican City and ancient biblical lands, a tangled web of deceit is unraveled, and redemption is realized only when personal demons and hidden crimes are confronted and resolved.