Night Into Day

Tom Kenney is a recent college grad, who leaves his hometown for a job on Wall Street. Saddled with debts and college loans, he is anxious to make enough money to pay off his bills and start a new life in New York. In the office he is befriended by his supervisor, Jack McNeil who also mentors him. Carol Zidane, a young Muslim American, and the firm's Regulatory Compliance Officer, helps Tom and explains how things are done on Wall Street. Jack is on the way up in the firm and Carol is smart, tough and demands results. Due to the nature of the Street, there is an unhealthy mix of competition and friction in the office. Marcus Meltzer, one of the firm's most experienced brokers, resents Carol's review of his work. One day his frustration boils over and he barges into her office and strikes her. Without hesitating, Tom runs in and saves her from further harm. Angered, Marcus waits for Tom in front of his apartment and assaults him.
Hospitalized Tom is unable to return to work and falls into a downward spiral of alcohol and illegal prescription drugs. Jack tries to help Tom as much as he can while Carol often meets Tom for lunch. At the novel's conclusion, Carol gets a promotion at another Wall Street firm. Comfortable with her new life she still keeps in touch with Tom providing him with emotional support and advice. At novel's end, Tom returns to his hometown in Providence and Carol becomes engaged.