John Abeln

The Arena: SoftWaters European Series, No. 1 - Softwaters European Murder Mystery John Abeln

Two Americans, who have a successful healthcare software company, want to branch out into the European market seeking distributors in Italy and Spain. The Americans run on guts and nerve and little understanding of Europe. The Italian Giancarlo is from the stifling upper class of Rome, with unsavory political connections. He decides to steal the proprietary information from the Americans and use it to establish a new business. The Spaniard Enrico has a growing healthcare software business and sees the Americans and their products as complimentary and exciting partnership. Through negotiations -and cultural stumbling- Ed and Gannon succeed in getting the distribution contracts. At the end of the negotiations, Ed goes to Italy to visit a customer, but dies. By who? Whom can Gannon trust? He forms a tentative alliance with the Spaniard. With Ed?s death, the FBI pursues Gannon?s potential responsibility for his death, since he is the beneficiary. Gannon deals with his insecurities, the Italian and the U. S. government as he tries to piece back his shattered world. How does he explain this to his family and keep them safe? He feels as if in an arena, not knowing who is the beast and who is the matador. The fast paced conclusion culminates in the mountains of Utah, a showdown of nerves and intelligence.