Joe DeMarco is a troubleshooter for the Speaker of the House.
A lawyer himself, he is on the staff of the Speaker and has a very small office in the Capitol building. His primary job is not helping to write bills but to look into "small matters" for the Speaker. The fact that these matters usually do not stay small is the main reason this series has its place in this compendium.
Though he is legally able to practice law, he has never actually done so. The son of a member of the Mob with ties to the underworld too close to make most law firms willing to bring him onboard, DeMarco was at a loss for what to do when his mother called in a favor with the Speaker, John Mahoney. She had worked with the Representative long before he had attained his position of power and they had been close. Whether they had been intimate as well is something DeMarco does not care to think about and certainly the brusk manner that Mahoney demonstates shows a lack of closeness. Nevertheless, Mahoney used his authority to create a new position on the Congressional staff but not connected with either him or his position. This degree of separation in a CYA manner fits Mahoney's style and does not bother DeMarco. He is content to show up at his small closet of an office in the basement of the Capitol and await the occasional directive from his unofficial boss.
DeMarco is not a trained agent nor is he particularly bold or brave or capable of taking care of himself. This does not mean he is meek or mild in any way as he will be forceful when it is needed and certainly headstrong at times it might best be otherwise. Put plainly, he is a fairly normal man, albeit with a very smart head on his shoulders. He is also lucky. And he has some help.
Having a co-starring role that is almost enough to get her own entry is the very capable, very enigmatic Emma. This handsome woman somewhere in her mid 50s is a former DIA operative, a spy for many years. She seldom talks about what she had done or seen but the trouble she is able to take care up for DeMarco speaks plenty for themselves.
This series has a bemused feel to it at times, largely because the main character has seen enough to not have any delusions about the government in action. He has not yet moved into the cynic stage of life but he cannot find it in him to be in awe of anyone or any institution. Perhaps it starts with his own boss, the Speaker, who works tirelessly for the People but isn't adverse to a little kickback now and then, drinks like a sailor while able to preach like a thumper, and loves his wife of 40 years with great devotion and has numerous liaisons with others from time to time.