A Troublesome Affair

Against the historic backdrop of the U.S. Punitive Expedition into Mexico in 1916, A Troublesome Affair is a mystery with intricately connected characters caught up in a turbulent current of racial and military conflict. Rueben LeCroix, a highly decorated Negro sergeant, is in the guardhouse at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, accused of raping and attempting to murder a white officer’s wife. Morgan Westphal, a civilian private investigator, is surprised when he is asked by the regimental commander to investigate the crime. As a civilian, Morgan at first has no wish to become involved in what he believes is a purely military matter with unwelcome racial overtones. He changes his mind after being told LeCroix is the man who saved his life in Cuba during the Spanish American War 18 years before. Feeling morally obligated to help LeCroix, Morgan puts aside his intense dislike of the sergeant, overcomes his latent racial prejudice and ignores his doubt the accused is not as innocent as he claims to be. Morgan’s investigation barely starts when the regiment is suddenly deployed to Mexico as part of the Punitive Expedition in pursuit of Pancho Villa. By the time Morgan is able to identify Sophia Parmenter’s assailant, he will make a long, solitary and dangerous horse-back ride deep into a turbulent Mexico, risk his life during a deadly encounter with Mexican bandits and re-examine his feelings concerning racial equality.