Cavanaugh Encounter

In USA TODAY bestselling author Marie Ferrarella’s sensational new Cavanaugh Justice novel, two detectives must track a lethal serial killer

Playboy detective Luke Cavanaugh O’Bannon isn’t excited to be paired with his polar opposite, introverted Francesca “Frankie” DeMarco, on a case. But when Frankie’s cousin is found dead of a suspicious drug overdose, she and Luke must work together to pursue a serial killer who’s struck again. And though they try to fight it, the two opposites attract...passionately!

After several false leads, their investigation points them to an online dating site where Frankie, despite Luke’s objections, offers herself up as virtual bait. Will the killer reply with dinner and a deadly proposition? Will Luke realize he’s met his match—offline?

“I want you, O’Bannon.”

“Words I’ve been waiting a lifetime to hear,” he quipped, smiling at the petite blue-eyed brunette standing before his desk. He had no idea who she was, but he certainly intended to find out. The fact that she had just said she wanted him sounded promising.

“Well, you can continue waiting,” she informed him coldly, “because I didn’t mean them that way.”

Luke leaned back in his chair. His eyes slowly passed over her, taking careful measure of every attractive inch. No doubt about it. She was the best looking woman he had seen in a long time. The annoyed expression on her face just made her that much more of a challenge as far as he was concerned.

“And just what way did you mean them?” he asked her. His smile only grew wider.

* * *

Be sure to check out the next books in this exciting miniseries: Cavanaugh Justice—Where Aurora’s finest are always in action

Cavanaugh Encounter

Marie Ferrarella

www.millsandboon.co.uk

USA TODAY bestselling and RITA® Award–winning author MARIE FERRARELLA has written more than two hundred and fifty books for Mills & Boon, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com.

To

The memory of My Mother, Who got me hooked on Agatha Christie, And always said that there was nothing She liked better Than a good, clean murder. This one’s for you, Mama.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Prologue

“Oh, thank goodness you’re here. I didn’t know who else to call.”

Twenty-five-year-old Amanda Culpepper was shaking as she threw open the front door of the apartment she shared with her roommate. The same roommate who was facedown and sprawled out on the living room floor. The young woman appeared to be unconscious and was totally unresponsive.

Detective Francesca DeMarco hardly spared the tall blonde by the door more than a quick glance. Her attention was entirely focused on Kristin Andrews, the young woman on the floor with the syringe in her arm.

Her cousin.

Years ago, she would have anticipated this call. But not now. Not when Kristin had been clean for so long. This didn’t make any sense to her.

“How long has she been like this?” Frankie asked her cousin’s roommate. Amanda was hovering nervously behind her.

“I don’t know,” Amanda cried breathlessly, wringing her hands. “I was away for three days with my boyfriend. I just walked in the door and found her like this.” Amanda was struggling not to break down in tears. “I tried to rouse her, but when Kris wouldn’t wake up, I called you immediately.” Amanda was shifting from foot to foot, as if unable to put any weight down. “Kris is going to be all right, right?” she asked, growing more and more distraught and agitated.

Frankie hardly heard the other woman. She was looking for Kris’s pulse. She pressed her fingers against the side of her cousin’s neck, then on her wrist. Unable to find a pulse, she put her head against Kristin’s chest, praying she would detect at least a faint heartbeat.

There was none.

Adrenaline surging through her body, Frankie began applying CPR. “Call 911,” she ordered Amanda.

Amanda looked confused. “But you are 911,” the young woman protested.

“But I can’t pull a damn ambulance out of my pocket,” Frankie snapped. She was silently counting off numbers in her head as she applied compressions to Kristin’s chest. Despite her efforts, her cousin still wasn’t coming around. “Call 911 and tell them to send an ambulance to this address!” she ordered. “Now!”

Snapping to attention, Amanda hurried to make the call.

“C’mon, Kris, open your eyes!” Frankie begged as she continued pushing against her cousin’s chest. “Do it for me. Please!”

All sorts of thoughts charged in and out of her head. The last words she and Kris had exchanged. The time she had bullied her cousin into rehab. Teaching her cousin how to ride a bike. All that and more whisked through her brain with the speed of a bullet, all while she worked over her cousin’s prone body.