This is the story of the conflict between a Brooklyn detective and the head of a New York organized crime family. The crime boss is helpful to the Organized Crime Task Force in eliminating his enemies. The detective is appalled by the duplicitous nature of the relationship between the crime boss and the police. Torn by the need for the cooperation from the crime boss and his sense of """"sleeping with the devil"""" the detective struggles with the relationship. On a parallel track, the detective meets the son of the crime boss and is impressed by the youngster, who is conflicted by the way of his father as well as the expectations placed upon him. The detective subtly urges the son not to follow the ways of his father. He strongly encourages the son to follow a legitimate life style. The son comes to admire the integrity of the detective. A level of respect develops. The detective understands the pressure on the son of the crime boss. The son respects the fundamental decency of the detective. The detective, in his own research, learns of a business connection between the head of the crime family and senior politicians. His superiors do not want the connection pursued and strongly direct that the detective cease his investigation The detective's career is threatened. Deeply disturbed by the extent of the corruption, the detective continues to develop the case. Finally, the detective presents a pervasive and compelling overview. Then, faced with a potential revelation of the broad based corruption, the crime boss, with the acceptance of the politicians, decide to eliminate the detective through an unrelated ruse. The son of the crime boss learns of his father's plans and desperately tries to talk his father out of the planned hit, as unnecessary. The son is unsuccessful. The son of the crime boss, moved by the senseless killing, in turn, seeks out the son of the detective and quietly tries to | Brooklyn South by Joseph F. Kelly, Paperback | Indigo Chapters