Identity Unknown
Missing MemoriesWhen a John Doe washes up on the shores of Calico Bay, no one knows who he is—including him. But one thing's instantly clear to deputy sheriff Audrey Martin: the man's marked for murder. And she's the only one who can protect him from the assassins who lurk at every turn. The arrival of a team of men claiming he's Canadian Border Services officer Nathanial Longhorn only further complicates the matter. As his memories slowly start drifting back, Nathanial's determined to work with Audrey to uncover who wants him dead and why. But he's tangled in something that threatens to submerge them both. And unless Audrey can help him figure out what, this Christmas might be their last.
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MISSING MEMORIES
When a John Doe washes up on the shores of Calico Bay, no one knows who he isâincluding him. But one thingâs instantly clear to deputy sheriff Audrey Martin: the manâs marked for murder. And sheâs the only one who can protect him from the assassins who lurk at every turn. The arrival of a team of men claiming heâs Canadian Border Services officer Nathanial Longhorn only further complicates the matter. As his memories slowly start drifting back, Nathanialâs determined to work with Audrey to uncover who wants him dead and why. But heâs tangled in something that threatens to submerge them both. And unless Audrey can help him figure out what, this Christmas might be their last.
âYouâre beautiful.â
Startled, Audrey whipped around to find herself staring into the dark eyes of John Doe. His lopsided grin sucked the breath from her lungs. Sheâd never understood the term roguishly handsome until this moment. Even groggy and on pain meds, he affected her on an elemental level. Which made her extremely uneasy. What would he be like fully conscious?
Heart pounding, she stepped closer to the bed. âWho are you? Whatâs your name?â
His eyelids fluttered, and he said something unintelligible.
She reached for the button to call the nurse when his fingers closed over her wrist, pressing against her skin where the sleeve of her uniform rode up. Strong hands, and calloused, she noted in a bemused way that made her twitchy.
âYou look like a Christmas ornament.â His words were slurred. âShiny. Pretty.â
His hand dropped away as if he could no longer hold on. His head lolled to the side and his eyes closed.
âHey,â Audrey said, giving him a slight shake. âMister, I need you to wake up.â
But heâd gone out again.
TERRI REEDâS romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on the Publishers Weekly top twenty-five and Nielsen BookScanâs top one hundred lists, and have been featured in USA TODAY, Christian Fiction Magazine and RT Book Reviews. Her books have been finalists for the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award, the National Readersâ Choice Award and three times for the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award. Contact Terri at terrireed.com or PO Box 19555, Portland, OR 97224.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
âJoshua 1:9
To my family for always believing in me
and to Leah for friendship and laughter.
Contents
âTwo guards at the south entrance.â Canada Border Services Agency officer Nathanial Longhorn spoke into the microphone attached to his flak vest.
On the cold December morning, Nathanial stared through the scope on his C7 assault sniper rifle from his perch on the southeast corner of a warehouse overlooking the commercial shipping port of Saint John Harbour, New Brunswick. The overcast sky shadowed the world in a gray haze.
His breath condensed into a white cloud, obscuring his vision in the threatening chill of an impending snowstorm. A whiteout was the last thing his team needed. He prayed the bad weather held off for a few more hours.
âCopy that.â Through Nathanialâs earpiece came the reply from his friend and fellow Integrated Border Enforcement Taskforce team member, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Blake Fallon.
Blake motioned and two members of the team below split off to subdue the guards.
Nathanial kept an alert eye for anything that would impede or jeopardize the IBETs members on the ground as they stealthily made their way down the street to another warehouse a block away.
They were determined to bring down an arms dealer and his network of smugglers who illegally brought small and large weapons across the border between the two countries. The latest intelligence reported a shipment of handguns would be brought into Canada tonight.
The men who made up the IBETs team were from various law enforcement agencies on both sides of the international boundary line between Canada and the United States. Nathanial was proud to be a part of the team and would give his life for each and every one of the other team members regardless of their nationality.
The successful completion of this mission would be a welcome Christmas present, indeed.
He intended to head home to Saskatchewan for a much-needed respite with his family. Though he doubted the visit would be very relaxing. His mother and grandmother would be on him about fulfilling his destiny and settling down to provide grandchildren.
An old sorrow stirred, but he quickly tamped it down.
Despite his grandmotherâs certainty that there was a soul mate out there for him, Nathanial was skeptical about love and marriage. Heâd come close once with his high school sweetheart, but that relationship had ended in tragedy and heartbreak. Heâd decided then going it alone was better than opening himself up to that kind of pain again.
