A Necessary Evil

Someone is killing Catholic priests across America-ritualized murders that speak of vengeance and hatred. As the killing spree continues unabated, it quickly becomes very clear to Maggie O'Dell-the FBI profiler assigned to the case-that more than one perpetrator is responsible. As she begins to drill down into the facts, Maggie discovers a disturbing Internet role-playing game for youths who have been victims of male authority figures-including Catholic priests. With the first real lead in the investigation, Maggie wonders if this group has turned cyberspace justice into reality by dispensing their own brand of vengeance. As the ritualistic killings leave America's heartland reeling, Maggie gets a second lead-one that leaves her stunned. For the past four years she has been driven by blind determination to find Father Michael Keller, the human monster whose acts of brutality continue to haunt her to this day. Sick and twisted, the priest seems to have vanished without a trace. But with an irony that only life can offer, now he has become a target.