The Charade of Death

At least Ted Maher can't complain about the view. From a room near his cell, he can look out over the Mediterranean where sailboats heel with the wind and seagulls circle overhead. Gazing downward, he can see a public garden with pine trees, flower bushes and manicured lawns. It's the kind of vista he dreamed of when he accepted what he called the "best job" of his life and moved to the Riviera. Trouble is, the window is located in the Monaco prison, and Maher may spend the rest of his days behind bars.

His life took an irrevocable turn at...