White Flame

A disappointing finale mars this otherwise strong thriller from Grady (Thunder, 1994) about two FBI agents and a cop trying to prevent the assassination of a high-profile black activist. Thanks to a wiretap, the Justice Department knows in mid-January that someone close to Faron Sears has hired a killer to slay the charismatic ex-con around Valentine's Day. To discover who wants Sears dead, FBI agents Dalton Cole and Sallie Pickett, joined in their quest by D.C. homicide detective Nick Sherman, infiltrate Sears's organization and chase after a clever, egotistical assassin as he makes his way from Idaho to the planned killing ground in D.C. Grady delivers a crisp story that gains density through several subplots, involving Cole and Sears's shared history, romances, Sherman's drinking problems; and an investigation into Sears's business practices. But despite excellent writing and a great buildup, the initially high-powered finale falls flat when the motive behind the assassination is revealed; until then, however, this white flame burns brightly. 40,000 first printing; film rights to Tri-Star, IndieProd and Danny Glover Productions; simultaneous Dove audio; author tour. (May)