A Bit About "The Sitting Duck." Due out in late 2008.

Al Sicillio is a 17-year-old wise guy. He comes from the toughest neighborhood in Pittsburgh and thinks he's big time. But actually he is a two-bit punk, and a Mafioso plays him for a fall guy - a sitting duck. He sets Al up to take the rap for a rubout of a competitor. Al goes to jail for 20 years. When he is released, he plans to go straight; he learned a lesson. But he inadvertently kills the Mafioso and his henchman in what actually turns into a perfect crime.

In prison, he learned of a contact in Alabama and joins a criminal organization as one of its hit men. The organization is bigger and more widespread than he thought it might be and he finds nobody ever leaves it other than in a casket. He comes close to being killed in a number of 'assignments', enough to convince him that he should get out. A detective provides the wherewithal on how it can be done. But even then, Al and the detective barely escape being rubbed out.

Al's life, from the time he got out of prison, has been one brush with death after another. He knows he isn't going to last long that way and finally manages with the help of the detective and government men to make a break. But to his surprise, he begins a new and equally dangerous journey in life -- the same way he began -- as a sitting duck.