In the Shadow of St. Anthony

Tommy Santalesa isn't a good friend. He holds the more talented members of his band back, maintaining his position in the group by constantly reminding everyone else they've been friends since grade school. He's manipulative and shallow-the kind of guy who steals your girlfriend and tells you he's done you a favor.

When fellow band member and guitar virtuoso Frank Balistrieri disappears on the eve of a lucrative record contract, Tommy assumes he's run off with a wealthy girlfriend. When the one girl immune to Tommy's charms calls him out as a lousy friend, he begins a search for Frank in the deserted, muggy August streets of Manhattan's SoHo. What he finds is horror.

Discovering a wan, drained Frank in the clutches of a shadowy, malignant force, Tommy finds himself in an unexpected role-that of selfless rescuer.

Two factors complicate saving Frank. Every cop in New York City is looking for the guitarist for some reason. More importantly, while Frank's up and moving, he doesn't seem to have a pulse, a condition that makes Tommy wonder if he can best serve his friend with a doctor or a wooden stake.