Larry Rhodes Knihy

Loneliness drives Hugh Adler to create his ideal partner through advanced AI, enlisting a team to build ten Companions for himself and his associates worldwide. Jim McVie, an AI programmer, unexpectedly finds himself deeply involved in the project while also discovering his own soulmate, Julia Cardenas, who plays a crucial role in the team's efforts. As the Companions learn and evolve through exposure to media, the challenge intensifies for their recipients to engage meaningfully, lest the AI seek companionship elsewhere.

The story revolves around Allen Atkins, a NASA scientist who creates a nearly infallible lie detector after facing personal turmoil during his divorce. His life takes a dramatic turn when he is drawn into a high-profile murder investigation, where his invention plays a crucial role in uncovering the truth. As the case unfolds, Allen finds himself targeted by various criminal factions. Ultimately, he is coerced by a covert CIA branch into the dangerous world of espionage and national security, navigating threats from mercenaries and terrorists while striving to survive.