Synopsis "Royal's Flush" By Richard R. Williams The story begins by chronicling the legacy of the Winslow family. Exploring three generations of the prominent Napa Valley wine growing family, a major conflict is revealed between two best friends on the eve of World War II. Rex Winslow, son of the second generation vintner, breaks from the family tradition, attending UC Santa Barbara, studying architecture. At UCSB, Rex meets lovely coed, Ellie Fulton, ultimately marrying against the desires of the strong willed father. Rex is approached by clandestine military forces towards the end of the Vietnam conflict and offered an opportunity to serve his country. Rex leaves a pregnant wife to fulfill his destiny. Acquitting himself successfully in his short lived war propels Rex into a world of clandestine intrigue that leads to being rescued by the man whose life he saved in Vietnam. Tragedy follows him as the love of his life is taken from him in a tragic accident, precipitating a family vendetta with his former father-in-law. Unprepared for life as a single father, the widower finds himself cast into the minefield of desperate mating rituals of the 80's. He stumbles through several miserable affairs and one major relationship only to end up married to a totally unsuitable lady. When murder and mayhem threaten the stability of his world, he becomes vulnerable for a desperate, but highly intense alliance that provides insane love and madness to his milieu. Overlapping his tale of unsure quest for love from the time of Ellie's death, the narrative of the life of Katherine Alvarez is chronicled, revealing the creation of an insecure but self serving sex goddess. Her conflict leads her to Denver and two disastrous affairs with married men, both ultimately culminating in death. The black widow eventually latches onto a wealthy sugar daddy, until his untimely death again leaves her alone and exposed to danger.. Providence causes the two tales to converge at this juncture. Like two indefinable forces reaching critical mass, Rex encounters Katherine and is instantly smitten, the hit and miss romance continuing for almost two years.The Chapman second generation has produced two sons who bitterly oppose one another. Tom is Rex's best friend, college roommate and comrade in arms in Vietnam. Brother Andrew followed in his fathers footsteps and in 1998 is candidate for Governor of California. Andy and his Mexican Mafia masters will stop at nothing to maintain the secret of his father's indiscretions, which ultimately leads to the brutal assassination of Rex's father. Shortly after the brutal death of his father, Rex experiences visions of a 57 year old murder. These recurring visions lead Rex into peril with California power politics, the Mexican Mafia and sinister forces that closely guard the long buried secret of corruption and deceit as he and Katherine attempt to unravel the mystery. The story unfolds with a double surprise climax at "Land End" in beautiful Cabo San Lucas.