Pelican brief summary

" The book begins with the assassination of two Supreme Court Justices, by the names of Rosenberg and Jensen. The general populace can see no connection between the two, nor can they speculate as to why either would be killed--Rosenberg was rapidly approaching death by natural causes, and Jensen had never seemed to be too opinionated. The FBI is baffled; the Oval Office is in a state of chaotic stress. The list of suspects seems far too obvious, and proves to be filled with dead-ends. However, Tulane law student Darby Shaw begins an investigation of her own--stirring up whirlpool of suspense and terror. Darby researches Rosenberg and Jensen's court records, searching for a similarity in beliefs, something that would give someone a cause to kill them both. Once she has found her answer, she composes a brief, explaining the identity of the man who hired the assassin, his motive, and his position. She conjectures that it was Victor Mattiece, a man who had an upcoming appeal to regain oil-drilling land that had formerly been protected due to the endangered brown pelicans on the territory. Jensen and Rosenberg, both staunch environmentalists, would have decreased his chances of winning the appeal had they stayed on the Supreme Court. Being friendly with the president, Mattiece knew that he would appoint new justices that would rule more in his favor. Darby gives a copy of what she names "The Pelican Brief" to Thomas Callahan, her lover and Constitutional Law professor. After he reads it, he passes a copy to his friend Gavin Verheek, a lawyer with the FBI. Verheek then passes it on to FBI director Voyles, who, in turn, passes it on to the president and vice president. Shortly after, a bomb, intended for Darby, is placed on Callahan's car while the two are in a restaurant. Darby does not enter the car, telling Thomas that she will walk home due to his lack of sobriety. Immediatley after starting the car, it explodes, killing Callahan instantly. After going on the...