Absolution
Set against the backdrop of increasing international tension. Absolution tells the story of seven lives put on a collision by fate.
When seven life stories and destinies converge on the same critical path; an adventure will ensue, and many deaths will follow. Helen Goldstone terminates her pregnancy and leaves her husband. Finally accepting the marriage is over, Strauss decides to spend time with his drug dealing cousin Morgan in the USA. Morgan lives with volatile Hispanic ex-prostitute, Daniella, he has his own problems. The problems escalate when Strauss is murdered. In fear of his own life, Morgan's decides to assume Strauss' identity and escape to England.
In London, Alex, Strauss' brother is disillusioned with his career as a barrister. In a particularly bizarre seven day period, Alex discovers he's in love with his enemy, Claire Bristol. He loses his job and his drug dealing American cousin turns up. Believing life cannot get any worse, the two cousins go the wrong pub on the wrong day. After exchanging harsh words with Morris, the local drug baron. Morris is found dead in the street twenty minutes later. The manner of his execution and the proximity of the Goldstones at the time, lead the public to believe the Goldstones are gangsters. Locally, the cousins are hailed as the new rulers of the manor. The rest of the world are more concerned with China's invasion of North Korea.
Alex at least has one good thing going, he finally develops a serious relationship with Claire Bristol, the Queen's Counsel. To further complicate life, her father Harry Bristol is the corrupt cop trying to muscle in on the profits from their gangster empire. The harsh realisation is, the Goldstones are in a situation from which there can be no escape. The cousins have no choice, they are on a treadmill, they have to build their empire. They import Daniella, the mad Hispanic woman to supervise their prostitution operation. The Goldstone's fresh but bizarre approach to gangsterism brings unprecedented success. They acquire; two bars, a car-wash, a solicitor's office, a finance house, a guest house and even a thoroughbred racehorse.
On finding out his daughter has married Alex (and Russia has broken off diplomatic relations with USA), Harry Bristol loses the plot, dedicating his life to bringing the Goldstones to book. His attempts to plant and fabricate evidence fail, it seems the cousins are too smart for him. Unbeknown to Harry, his daughter Claire hates him with a vengeance, blaming him for her mother's suicide and seeks revenge at all costs.
Just to keep everybody on their toes, Strauss' estranged wife Helen is on the prowl, she wants a reconciliation before the divorce is finalised. She doesn't know her real husband's body is in a freezer in California, the man she is seeking is really his cousin Morgan. If they ever meet face to face, the game is up.
Working independently, each with different agendas Claire, Alex and Morgan manufacture the perfect opportunity to find freedom. Alex can get Harry off his back. Claire can exact her revenge on her father. Morgan can return to Oakland, and Strauss can finally rest in peace. The stakes are raised when their racehorse mysteriously vanishes.
Keeping the registrar busy throughout the journey with one birth, twelve deaths and a marriage. The characters want to be free of the sins of the father. In one form or another, they all seek Absolution. Daniella just wants to be a soccer mom and Claire's best friend Adele secretly lusts after her husband, Alex. Just as things are falling into place, previously unknown bastard siblngs turn up. First Georgia and then Sylvia remind them, there's no denying the sins of the father. The question is raised how can Absolution be the answer to their problems, he's just a horse. Then again, in the greater scheme of things what is actually important?
Whilst the characters obsess with their own lives the world has carried on turning. The USA have given an ultimatum to China. China have sent their reply.