Sam wished he could tell Kristen what he was doing.
Lying to her about the mysterious text message had bothered him a hell of a lot more than keeping it a secret from the rest of the police. Sheâd put herself on the line for him and his daughter, more than once. She deserved his trust.
She deserved the truth.
But he couldnât tell anyone what he had planned. Not until he had his little girl safely back in his arms. The past few days had turned their lives upside down, but one thing hadnât changed: he would do anything in his power to protect his child, whether it was from a mystery assailant or a mercurial, enigmatic police detective with a troubled past.
If only the phantom touch of Kristenâs mouth wasnât still lingering on his lips.
For Melissa, who surprises and challenges me daily.
Iâm lucky to be your aunt.
Alabama native Paula Graves wrote her first book, a mystery starring herself and her neighborhood friends, at the age of six. A voracious reader, Paula loves books that pair tantalizing mystery with compelling romance. When sheâs not reading or writing, she works as a creative director for a Birmingham advertising agency and spends time with her family and friends. She is a member of Southern Magic Romance Writers, Heart of Dixie Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America.
Paula invites readers to visit her Web site, www.paulagraves.com.
Kristen TandyâThe small-town detectiveâs tragic past comes back to haunt her when sheâs assigned to protect a child who has become a pawn in a deadly game of cat and mouse between the childâs father and a faceless enemy.
Sam CooperâThe county prosecutor has more than one enemy. But which one is trying to use his four-year-old daughter against him? And can he trust Kristen, whose aversion to children is apparent, with his daughterâs fragile heart?
Maddy CooperâA mysterious assailant almost takes the four-year-old from her home, gravely injuring her babysitter in the process. Does Maddyâs memory of the night in question hold the key to the kidnapperâs identity?
Jason FoleyâKrisâs work partner worries that sheâs not cut out for working with children like Maddy. Will his doubts put Krisâs bodyguard assignment at risk?
Carl MadisonâThe captain of detectives is also Krisâs foster father. Has he let his love for his foster daughter cause him to give her a job sheâs not prepared for?
Nora CabotâSamâs ex-wife hasnât seen their daughter in four years. Why is she suddenly so interested in visiting the child she abandoned as a baby?
Graham StilsonâThe Maryland attorney is up for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Could the attempted kidnapping of his new wifeâs daughter be connected to his campaign?
Carlos CalderonâYears earlier, Sam successfully prosecuted the Sanselmo drug lordâs eldest son, who was recently murdered in prison. Is Calderon out for revenge?
Darryl MorrisâWhen Morrisâs son was killed in a collision, he urged Sam to throw the book at the man responsible. Has his anger at Sam for taking a plea deal instead driven him to desperate measures?
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Epilogue
Blue and cherry lights strobed the night sky as Sam Cooper muscled his Jeep into a tight turn onto Mission Road. Ahead, a phalanx of police cars and rescue units spread haphazardly across the narrow road in front of his house.
He parked the Cherokee behind the nearest police cruiser, his pounding heart outracing the pulses of light. Ignoring the gaggle of curious onlookers, he took the porch steps two at a time and pushed past the uniformed cop standing in the doorway.
âSir, you canâtââ
Sam ignored him, scanning the narrow foyer until he caught sight of his older brotherâs terrified face. âJ.D.?â
J.D. Cooper turned at the sound of his name. The look on his face made Samâs stomach turn queasy flips. âIs Cissy okay?â he asked J.D. âWhereâs Maddy?â
J.D.âs gaze flickered back to the paramedics working over the unconscious body of his teenage daughter lying on the woven rug in the middle of the foyer. âCissyâs alive but they canât get her to respond.â
Samâs heart skipped a beat. âWhat the hell happened? What about Maddy?â
J.D. looked at him again. âWe donât know.â
The panic Sam had held in check broke free, suffocating him. He started toward the stairs up to the bedroom, where heâd last seen his daughter when he kissed her good-night before leaving for his business dinner.
J.D. caught his arm, jerking him to a stop. âSheâs not up there. We looked.â
Sam tugged his arm away. âMaybe sheâs in another roomââ J.D. gestured at the obvious signs of a struggle. âCissy didnât just fall down and hit her head, Sam! Someone did this to her! Someone took Maddy.â