Backstop

A rogue government agency bent on protecting a terrible secret plot chases a band of guerilla video journalists in a race against time and a life-or-death imperative to make the secret public. Davis Falk's first novel is a thrill ride of speculative alternate recent history so realistic that the reader could easily believe it is a true story of conspiracy and intrigue. While on vacation in Canada, Jacob, an independent videographer, catches a glimpse of a woman he thinks is familiar and snaps a few photos of her. When he checks his research, he finds that she is Julie Foley, one of the flight attendants on American Airlines Flight 11 from Boston on 9/11. He activates his documentary film-making cohorts, and they scramble to get the jump on the story.Because of his involvement in a previous 9/11 conspiracy documentary, Jacob is watched by a dark and mysterious organization within the government, which is also watching Julie. The agency steps up surveillance on Jacob's known associates. It employs ruthless, mercenary contractors in addition to its own assasins. One of these is Liam, who has been a "e;sleeper"e; in Toronto, possibly because Julie is there.The agency wants Julie brought in before Jacob can warn her. Jacob contacts Julie, who does not know who she really is. She has taken on a new identity and forgotten her past. Julie shows up for a meeting with Jacob. But while she waits for him, Liam, a disguised agent, tells her something that flips a switch in her mind. She leaves, which begins a chase involving several agents, Jacob, and his friend Michaelyn. Jacob and his band of guerrilla filmmakers must get Julie's story and help her escape the agents that pursue and control her.