Barely Breathing

Jake Wood receives an e-mail message from his cousin Jana whom he hasn't seen in over a decade. Jana has learned of Jake's tragedy: The seven people dead and the downward spiral of depression and survivor's guilt his life has become. She invites him to leave a bitter cold Iowa winter to visit her in sunny Los Angeles.Jake accepts Jana's invitation but when he arrives, she is nowhere to be found. All Jake knows for certain is that Jana was working for renowned primatologist Dr. Gregory...
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Jake Wood receives an e-mail message from his cousin Jana whom he hasn't seen in over a decade. Jana has learned of Jake's tragedy: The seven people dead and the downward spiral of depression and survivor's guilt his life has become. She invites him to leave a bitter cold Iowa winter to visit her in sunny Los Angeles.Jake accepts Jana's invitation but when he arrives, she is nowhere to be found. All Jake knows for certain is that Jana was working for renowned primatologist Dr. Gregory Mirek, a scientist with a towering reputation and a wide circle of wealthy and influential friends. With the assistance of Jana's best friend Laurie Summers, Jake travels across California and into Las Vegas in search of Jana. It's a path that leads to a desperate real estate developer, a seedy casino owner, and the discovery that Dr. Mirek has ghastly secrets that he will do anything to protect.