"Simple Genius" by David Baldacci

A body is found just inside a secret CIA compound and the cause of death is ruled suicide. The man's employer does not believe it so they hire a PI firm to investigate.

Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are partners out of work and almost out of money at the beginning of the story thanks in great part to a near complete breakdown by Michelle. She goes into a bar and picks a fight with the biggest meanest dude in the place and is nearly killed. After settling with the man and paying for the hospital they are nearly broke. Michelle is convinced by Sean to seek help and checks into a facility.

In the meantime Sean goes to an ex for a job and is given one that lands in Northern Virginia investigating the mysterious death of a man found on CIA property. He is stonewalled at every turn and soon learns much more is going on than was first suspected. The victim had a daughter whom he taught a secret code to and the key to solving his death is cracking the code.

Michelle checks out of the hospital and joins Sean in Virginia and they work to solve the mystery . Many complained that the author had Michelle suddenly well, frankly I did not see that part of the story is her dealing with the ghost of her past and how she is going to get well. I also read many complain the author jumps around to much, I did find this to be the case at all. The author did have multiple story lines but that keep the story interesting in my opinion.

In the end the death is solved some rough agents are "taken care" of and Sean and Michelle endure some trials along the way. This was my first Baldacci book and I like it.