September 12, 2001. Four members of the Klasser family are found dead outside Dallas, Texas. In the wake of 9/11, the Klassers’ neighbor, Omar Jones―an American citizen of Arab descent―is convicted of their murder.A month before Jones’ execution, attorney Lije Evans searches for evidence that will prove the man innocent. But Evans’ quest goes deeper than solving one crime. He is determined to find the secret behind the dark history of sleepy Swope’s Ridge―and how it ties into his wife’s murder.Interlocking mysteries lead Evans and his team to the battlegrounds of former Nazi Germany, the dirt roads of Kansas, and a rusty cargo ship in the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, they discover a secret that offers the promise of great power―and the greatest temptation they’ve ever faced.In the second book of the Lije Evans Mysteries series, bestselling author Ace Collins immerses readers in an intricate and deadly international plot. Racism, betrayal, and death-defying escapes compound an adventure that knows no bounds in this harrowing novel for suspense lovers everywhere. September 12, 2001. Four members of the Klasser family are found dead outside Dallas, Texas. In the wake of 9/11, the Klassers' neighbor, Omar Jones--an American citizen of Arab descent--is convicted of their murder. A month before Jones' execution, attorney Lije Evans searches for evidence that will prove the man innocent. But Evans' quest goes deeper than solving one crime. He is determined to find the secret behind the dark history of sleepy Swope's Ridge--and how it ties into his wife's murder. Interlocking mysteries lead Evans and his team to the battlegrounds of former Nazi Germany, the dirt roads of Kansas, and a rusty cargo ship in the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, they discover a secret that offers the promise of great power--and the greatest temptation they've ever faced. In the second book of the Lije Evans Mysteries series, bestselling author Ace Collins immerses readers in an intricate and deadly international plot. Racism, betrayal, and death-defying escapes compound an adventure that knows no bounds in this harrowing novel for suspense lovers everywhere. Ace Collins is the writer of more than sixty books, including several bestsellers: Stories behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, Stories behind the Great Traditions of Christmas, The Cathedrals, and Lassie: A Dog’s Life. Based in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, He continues to publish several new titles each year, including a series of novels, the first of which is Farraday Road. Ace has appeared on scores of television shows, including CBS This Morning, NBC Nightly News, CNN, Good Morning America, MSNBC, and Entertainment Tonight. Swope's Ridge By Ace Collins ZONDERVAN Copyright © 2009 Andrew Collins All right reserved. ISBN: 978-0-310-27953-2 Chapter One October 11, 2001 Waxahachie, Texas It was just past eight and, as usual, Omar Jones was running late. As he glanced at the clock, the twenty-eight-year-old computer programmer picked up a half-filled cup of coffee and splashed a last lukewarm gulp down his throat. He heard Charlie Gibson on Good Morning America voicing yet another story on the attacks in New York and Washington. Had it already been a month? He still couldn't begin to fathom how anyone could fly a jetliner into the World Trade Center towers or the Pentagon. Why would anyone become a terrorist? Why would anyone choose to die like that? Jones switched off the TV and set down his coffee. He had thirty minutes to get to work, and traffic was sure to be snarled due to construction around Desoto. Hurrying toward the door, he stopped in front of a mirror to make sure his coal-black hair was neatly combed and his thick mustache showed no sign of the oatmeal he had just eaten. Satisfied, he pushed open the side door of his modest three-bedroom track home. The scene that met him in the carport nearly caused his heart to stop. There, no more than ten feet in front of him, stood a police officer pointing a gun at his chest, with a dozen other officers - all heavily armed with weapons aimed and ready - spread out behind him. "Omar Saddam Jones?" A man in a black suit stepped toward him. Unable to manage a verbal response, Jones simply nodded. "Put your hands on top of your head. Now." Jones quickly did as he was told. Three men rushed up behind him, forcefully pulled his arms behind his back, slapped a pair of cuffs around his wrists, and patted him down. Then he was pushed twenty feet toward a squad car. Only then did Jones speak. "What's this about?" His voice sounded almost childlike to his ears. "You must have the wrong guy. I've done nothing!" A large man in a dark suit walked to the car, leaned over, and said, "You know the Klasser family." Jones nodded. "Sure, they're my neighbors." "They were your neighbors," the man said. "Someone killed them. A month ago. Even the baby was murdered. Where have you been?" Albert Kl