Water

Back cover: "A powerful political figure is found dead in Denver's South Platte River, the source of vital water sought by farmers, land developers, and politicians. Vic Bengston, a baby boomer returning to the newspaper world after 25 years in the public relations business, is sent to cover the murder. After day one, he's yanked from the story to let the 'pros' take over. That doesn't stop Vic, a relentless investigative reporter. Bucking his new bosses and the cops, Vic chases down leads on his own, taking him to the heights of Colorado political power, into the life and death struggle over water in farm country, and to a deadly confrontation with the killer."