Farrel is a good small-town cop, but one who has to struggle with personal problems. Divorced four years earlier, he is something of a misogynist and intolerant of others' shortcomings. Things change, however, when he meets a girlfriend of yesteryear, the widow of a gang member murdered by other criminals, and very shortly thereafter, a much younger woman. During police enquiries into the disappearance of another local criminal, he becomes aware that there is something more sinister occurring "on his patch." The dead body of the missing man is found floating in the sea, pumped full of heroin. Later we find the deceased has left a diary, which confirms Farrel is up against a global crime and terror syndicate. Fears that the organization "owns" colleagues in his own force appear true as the syndicate always seems to know of his plans. When the younger of the two women disappears, Farrel is convinced the organization has her, and he knows by now the syndicate removes anyone who may jeopardize its success-this includes innocent people in the local community. The violent showdown occurs at a nearby country house and farm. Why is this Farrel's last case?

Streetwise Rick Johnson takes a detour suggested by a strange hillbilly-type, forcing him to leave the trusted highway and onto a virtually unknown mountain road. This leads him to the Black Mountain, a part of the world he has never before visited. The path of his journey challenges everything he thinks he knows of the world. Who would ever contemplate traveling back into the history of a mountain and its people? Who would expect to meet and talk to people long dead, or nearly get himself killed by a phantom truck, or come face to face with unworldly creatures, intent on tasting his blood? Then there is his experience of a supernatural cleansing inferno. How can he deal with traveling back and forth in time without going just a little crazy? Maybe it's Kate, the beautiful green-eyed blonde in the old township who makes it possible - or is it the influence of the Spirit of Good on the mountain in its battle with the Evil forces there. What is all the talk of a direct line of females since the 17th century who have the 'Talent', and does the lovely Kate have it too? Who is Granma Roberta? What has she to do with things? Is there really a contact back to Salem? Things soon become apparent as to why Rick finds himself on The Mountain, as the residents there reverentially refer to, it. The distant valley dwellers just call it Witches' Mountain.

Farrel is a good small-town cop, but one who has to struggle with personal problems. Divorced four years earlier, he is something of a misogynist and intolerant of others' shortcomings. Things change, however, when he meets a girlfriend of yesteryear, the widow of a gang member murdered by other criminals, and very shortly thereafter, a much younger woman. During police enquiries into the disappearance of another local criminal, he becomes aware that there is something more sinister occurring "on his patch." The dead body of the missing man is found floating in the sea, pumped full of heroin. Later we find the deceased has left a diary, which confirms Farrel is up against a global crime and terror syndicate. Fears that the organization "owns" colleagues in his own force appear true as the syndicate always seems to know of his plans. When the younger of the two women disappears, Farrel is convinced the organization has her, and he knows by now the syndicate removes anyone who may jeopardize its success-this includes innocent people in the local community. The violent showdown occurs at a nearby country house and farm. Why is this Farrel's last case?