As a young boy, he thinks Gem is his conscience, but as he matures, he realizes that Gem is something special - something none of his friends has. Gem helps him throughout his life. He is considered to be a genius and is a star athlete, but without Gem, he would be neither of these. In high school and college, he excels. He receives several job offers, and, for unexpected reasons, wants to accept on in California. This presents a problem for Gem, and Gem in his/hers/its devious way, attempts to create barriers to prevent the relocation to California. This creates the first conflict with Gem. The pressures of a new job on the East Coast and his rapid progression within the Company mitigate the conflict with Gem. Soon a major work-related problem occurs on which he and Gem become co-conspirators. Their ingenious solution to the problem leads to a situation best described by the opening sentence of the proglogue: "How did this happen? How did I get involved in what some would call murder?" Enter the Medical Examiner and his young, enthusiastic staff. Was it an accident? Their efforts to determine the facts will absorb you, and, unless you are particularly observant, the epilogue will twist you. There is something here that, in all probability, has never been done before.