Michael L Piazza

The Seventh Code Michael L Piazza

Publisher Marketing: The Seventh Code is an intriguing suspense thriller revolving around the declining and turbulent circumstances encountered by the MS State Inspector General and longtime auditor Matthew Petricelli. Each day brings new and spiraling challenges as Matt and his assistants chase a swirling case of fraud, corruption and criminal actions. Matt had returned to his home state of Mississippi several years before, leaving a job in Atlanta to work for his college buddy Jack Leonard who had been elected Governor. After a year as the Governor's Budget Officer, Matt was appointed by Governor Leonard to assume the responsibilities of the newly created Inspector General position. For the first few years in that office, Matt and his staff did a tremendous job at cleaning up some fraud, waste and abuse messes. They were so good at their work, their efforts helped Matt's friend get elected to a second term as governor. Suddenly, Matt's longest standing auditor and fraud investigator Herb Jinson was showing signs of 'burning out' with a serious waning of his attention to the details of his job. Herb was in charge of a comprehensive and very sensitive computer investigation that was critical to the State's operations, but was not performing in his usual highly professional manner. Matt's Audit Manager, Sandy Burtron, wanted Herb to be replaced immediately by a fresh auditor who would pay attention to the fast moving details of the investigation. With Herb 'asleep at the wheel' the potential fraud could easily be covered up never to be reopened. Sandy pushed to replace Herb immediately, but Matt convinced Sandy to hold out for a few days until he could determine the cause of Herb's lack of attention. As Matt pursues the situation, Herb goes missing. Matt is hurled into a series of events that uncover a staggering level of fraud, collusion and criminal activities that overwhelms him. After he elicits the help of a former colleague and computer expert, Matt chases the case and its myriad of weird turns 'down the rabbit hole.' His friends seem like enemies, and his enemies appear to be friends. Follow Matt as he investigates the many facets of the case and gets in deeper and deeper at every turn.