Interrupted Lullaby
SAFE BY THE LAWMAN’S SIDEMaggie Slade’s been on the run since witnessing her husband’s murder, hiding from a killer who wants evidence he believes she has. A killer who was dressed as a LaMar Pond policeman. And she’d better run fast, because it’s not just her life on the line—Maggie now has year-old twin babies. But then she’s attacked again, and rescued…by a LaMar Pond cop. Trusting Lieutenant Dan Willis is frightening. Letting him take her back to LaMar Pond to find her husband’s killer is terrifying. But to protect her babies, she’ll risk anything. Even her life. And, as she grows closer to Dan and learns to trust again…she may even risk her heart.
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SAFE BY THE LAWMANâS SIDE
Maggie Sladeâs been on the run since witnessing her husbandâs murder, hiding from a killer who wants evidence he believes she has. A killer who was dressed as a LaMar Pond policeman. And sheâd better run fast, because itâs not just her life on the lineâMaggie now has year-old twin babies. But then sheâs attacked again, and rescuedâ¦by a LaMar Pond cop. Trusting Lieutenant Dan Willis is frightening. Letting him take her back to LaMar Pond to find her husbandâs killer is terrifying. But to protect her babies, sheâll risk anything. Even her life. And as she grows closer to Dan and learns to trust againâ¦she may even risk her heart.
The window shattered as a bullet hit it. Two inches from Maggieâs head.
Maggie screamed and pulled a shrieking Rory from the car.
âRun!â Dan bellowed. With a runnerâs sprint, she hurtled toward the trees. Dan was on her heels, cradling baby Siobhan tightly in his arms.
A car screeched into the parking lot, bullets spewing from the open window. Dan looked back in time to see a bullet hit a gas pump.
âFaster!â he barked. Ducking his head, he forced himself to hold the baby tighter and push forward.
The pump exploded. Dan yelled as the back of his leather jacket ignited. âTake her!â
Maggie grabbed the baby and Dan dived for the ground, rolling until the flames were out. He thanked God with all his heart that his jacket had taken the worst of the fire. He had, however, twisted his knee when he dived to the ground. Forcing himself to stand, he limped next to Maggie.
He had never seen anything more beautiful than her tired face, scratched by broken glass, but otherwise uninjured. And the babies. Wailing. Fat tears dribbled down their faces. But they were alive. He hadnât let them down. Not like beforeâ¦
DANA R. LYNN grew up in Illinois. She met her husband at a wedding and told her parents she had met her future husband. Nineteen months later, they were married. Today, they live in rural Pennsylvania with their three children and enough pets to open a petting zoo. In addition to writing, she works as an educational interpreter for the deaf and is active in several ministries at her church.
Teach me, Lord, your way that I may walk in your truth, single-hearted and revering your name.
âPsalms 86:11
To my mom,
who taught me about unconditional love and sacrifice.
And to my Lord and Savior.
May this work bring glory to Your name.
I am so grateful for the many people who supported me so that this labor of love could happen. First, to my husband, Brad, and our kids. Thanks for allowing me time in my writing cave/dining room table. It meant so much! Amy and Dee, my dearest friendsâ¦you kept me sane. My critique partners and fellow Killer Voices authors, how would I have done this without bouncing ideas off you?
A special thanks to my editor Elizabeth Mazer and my agent Mary Sue Seymour. I have been blessed by your guidance and humbled by your faith in me.
Contents
âI know where Margaret Slade is.â
Lieutenant Dan Willis held the phone receiver away from his ear and stared at it, shocked. His colleagues Lieutenant Jace Tucker and Chief Paul Kennedy halted their lively discussion on the upcoming football game to watch him. Jace raised his eyebrows. Paul leaned forward. Dan pressed a button, putting the caller on speaker.
âMargaret Slade, you said? Youâve seen her?â Dan nodded as Jace whistled silently. Maggie Slade had vanished more than eighteen months ago in suspicious circumstances. Although he had never stopped looking for her, he had all but given up hope of ever finding her. Alive, anyway.
âYes, Officer.â The callerâs voice quavered. In Danâs mind, he was picturing someoneâs sweet white-haired granny. âI went to the post office two days ago. Maybe three. I saw some of them missing persons flyers. I thought one of them looked real familiar. It wasnât until this morninâ when my neighbor was puttinâ out her trash that I realized it was her.â
âAre you sure? How long has she lived there?â Calm down, Dan reminded himself. This could be another dead end. Dan couldnât help it, though. Hope rose up in his soul.
âSheâs not the real owner. Nameâs Mary Connors. Hairâs different than the photo, and she keeps to herself. She moved in almost a year ago, renting, I suppose. I would go ask her, but her carâs not in the driveway.â
âIf she does return, please donât confront her with your suspicions. And donât let on that youâve talked to the police.â
The caller agreed, her tone colored with reluctance. People loved to get involved in police business. Especially if they felt they could accept some of the credit. Maybe he was cynical, but heâd seen it happen before.
