Fifty years from now, an elevated highway spans the nation. Initially a response to international terrorism, the US government grounds commercial airline flights and builds "The Black Diamond." The project leader and chief architect is named Jim Maddox. Years pass and Maddox's daughter, Kate, becomes an engineering savant in her own right. Married to Dr. Don McLaughlin, DDS, they have an idyllic relationship; both the top of their fields and highly...