Book excerpt: Stuart Sterling is the mayor of St. Louis, Missouri, with his eye on a bigger political prize. What is he willing to sacrifice for his ambition? His familys happiness? The code of honor handed down to him from his Scottish ancestors? This novel takes readers across boundaries of time and culture as it explores the people and events that have made Sterling who he is and affect the decisions he makes, decisions that lead to tragic consequences. This is a thought-provoking investigation of morality punctuated by forays into the worlds of sports, business, romance and especially politics, where the curtain is lifted to reveal the fascinating inner workings of the Electoral College.