Addendum to my last post - I faked my way and hit the bull's eye (pretty much anyway)- my loose cannon character is indeed turning out to be a Sociopath.  The definition from Wikipedia pretty much describes the man who refers to himself as Sterling; the character I am creating who has no redeeming qualities whatsoever, the man who draws pleasure from irritating the local mob and police force.

With my luck, he'll turn out to be the "break-away" villain of the story...we'll have to wait and see!