Imagine the virtually unlimited resources of a private company rivaling Microsoft Corporation. Now add to that Albert Einstein's genius coupled with all the technology available in 1995. Now imagine the possibilities...
Maria Elisse Mannheim is a professor of Musicology at a university in Vienna, specializing in the study of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his works, particularly his original manuscripts of which numerous forgeries abound. Derek Boswell is a New York City detective investigating the murder of a student under very unusual circumstances. The only clue he has to go on is a letter found in the victim's possession that could have been written by the murderer. Unfortunately, the letter is signed W.A. Mozart.
Boswell contacts Miss Mannheim in an attempt to track down any known forgers that might also be worthy of investigation for possible charges in the student's death. As an authority on Mozart, she feels compelled to leave her job and travel to the United States for a first hand look at this particular forger.
Elisse's investigation takes her to West Texas, where the victim formerly worked for a mysterious corporation before her death. The further Elisse digs into the company's business, the more apparent it becomes that not everything is quite as it seems and she suddenly finds her own life in peril.
Imagine an international company with unlimited resources and state of the art technology run by an ambitious, but unscrupulous woman without a moral conscience. Now add to that the genius of Albert Einstein and the talents of Wolfgang Mozart. Ask yourself the question: What could possibly go wrong?
A reclusive professor of music history becomes unexpectedly caught up in a mystery that leads her to question her own sanity. Leaving behind the comfort and security of her world in Austria, she ventures out to West Texas in search of the author of a mysterious letter brought to her for identification by a detective investigating a murder in New York City. Her quest for the source of the letter and the amazingly Mozartean composer named William Masters places her in the middle of an adventure she will never forget.
Excerpt
“What are you smiling at?” He asked looking down at himself suspiciously. He plucked up the end of the tie and looked at it closely. “It’s the tie, isn’t it?”
“No, no.” She smiled glad to see that he was feeling better. “It’s fine. What time is it?”
“Thermodynamically or psychologically speaking?” He raised both eyebrows and looked at her expectantly. The purple souvenir of the night before looked incongruous on his comical face.
“Does it matter?” She asked.
“Not really.” He smiled.
“Do you feel all right?” She asked him.
“Never better.” He lied. “Let’s go to the library.”
Elisse wanted to talk about Frieda, but he seemed to have forgotten all about her and the terrible few hours he had just spent with the woman.
“Perhaps I should go next door and change?” She got up.
“You look fine.” He shook his head obviously not willing to let her out of his sight.
“Then I’ll just freshen up a bit and we’ll go down.” She went off to brush her hair and check her makeup in his bathroom while he waited.
As they walked along the balcony a few moments later, he commented on her outfit and reached up to touch the ruffles atop the collar.
“Edward said that ‘real men’ don’t wear ruffles any more.” He said regretfully. “Except for the Prince. Do you know him? He writes music and sings or so Edward tells me. Do you know which country this prince is from?”
Elisse frowned then laughed.
“He’s not a real prince.” She told him. “He’s a rock star or was a few years back. His name is Prince or that’s what he calls himself anyway.”
“There certainly seems to be a great many of these ‘rock stars’ around here. Would I like his music?” William asked as they entered the elevator.
“I don’t know.” She said thoughtfully. “His stuff appeals to a younger audience, I think.”
“I suppose I am a bit older than I look.” He laughed. “You know? One day it was very funny. I was having a particular fine argument with Carlo and he said ‘why don’t you stop acting like a baby and act your age?’ so I lay down on the rug and crossed my hands on my chest. He said ‘now what are you doing?’ I said ‘I’m acting my age. I’m de-composing.’” William laughed loudly and then put his hand against his jaw where the lump gave him a painful reminder of his missing tooth.
Elisse tried to imagine Carlo Colletti’s reaction to this joke. It must have made him furious.
“So what did he do?” She asked as they headed for the library.
“The bastard kicked me.” He looked at her incredulously.
“So what did you do?” She asked afraid to hear the answer.
“I bit his ankle.”
“You are impossible!” She laughed as he held the door open for her.
“Don’t say that!” He shook his head.
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