Her last chance
Brooke Ramsey is running out of time. She needs to save her fatherâs reputation before she loses him to illness. That means finding the painting that went missing while in his care. Fast. Which is why she teams up with Victor Gage, owner of Treasure Seekers agency.
The charming private detective has more at stake than uncovering a lost masterpiece. Heâs investigating his wifeâs death, and the artwork holds the answer. As Victor and Brooke draw closer to each other, so does a murderer. Someone wants the past to remain buried and will kill again to keep it hidden.
âWhy donât you tell me the truth?â
Brooke started. âI am telling you the truth.â
âNot all of it,â Victor said. âI can see in your face thereâs something you donât want me to know.â
âI thought you were a heart surgeon, not a psychiatrist.â
He laughed. âGood research on your part, but Iâm also pretty skilled at reading faces.â Truth was, he did not understand why he had the feeling he knew her. He kept his voice low and soft, but he could see she caught the intensity anyway. âSo go ahead and tell me. You want to find the painting because it belongs to your father. Whatâs the other reason that brought you here?â
She took a deep breath and straightened, looking somehow more vulnerable. Vulnerable, small and scared. âI came to you because I believe you are the only person who can help me find that painting. Andâ¦â
âAnd what? Letâs have it, Ms. Ramsey.â
âAnd I think someone isâ¦â
âIs what?â
Her voice dropped, so he had to lean closer to hear.
âFollowing me.â
DANA MENTINK
lives in California, where the weather is golden and the cheese is divine. Her family includes two girls (affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo). Papa Bear works for the fire department; he met Dana doing a dinner theater production of The Velveteen Rabbit. Ironically, their parts were husband and wife.
Dana is a 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year finalist for romantic suspense and an award winner in the Pacific Northwest Writers Literary Contest. Her novel Betrayal in the Badlands won a 2010 RT Book Reviews Reviewerâs Choice Award. She has enjoyed writing a mystery series for Barbour Books and more than ten novels to date for Harlequinâs Love Inspired Suspense line.
She spent her college years competing in speech and debate tournaments all around the country. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching elementary school and reviewing books for her blog. Mostly, she loves to be home with her family, including a dog with social anxiety problems, a chubby box turtle and a quirky parakeet.
Dana loves to hear from her readers via her website at www.danamentink.com.
Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
â2 Timothy 1:14
To my faithful readers who have come along with me for this Treasure Seekers series. You inspire me to make each book better than the last.
ONE
Victor Gage saw beneath the determined expression that Brooke Ramsey was hiding something. Although her red hair and splash of freckles lent her an impish quality, she was deadly serious at the moment.
She lifted her chin, her hands clasped together tightly. âDr. Gageâ¦â
âPlease call me Victor. I havenât been a practicing surgeon for four years.â He still felt the familiar twinge when he said it out loud. Though he smiled gently at her, she did not respond. Something about her seemed familiar.
Her words were measured and calm, but there was a strong current of emotion throbbing underneath. âI want to hire you to find a treasure.â
He raised an eyebrow. âWhy me?â
She glanced around the richly appointed office. âBecause Treasure Seekers is your agency.â She crossed her legs, long and lean, a dancerâs body. âYouâve found things for people before. Yours is the only business in California that does this kind of work, Iâve heard.â
âTrue, but weâre not really a public agency. We are very selective. The cases weâve taken on were strictly through private recommendation. Friends of friends generally. Iâm surprised youâve even heard about us.â
âYou found that Vermeer six months ago. Youâre the only one who can help us,â she said.
For Victor the thrill came in unearthing the treasure, not the publicity that inevitably followed, but the Vermeer had made international headlines in spite of his refusal to be interviewed. âUs?â
âMe. I meant me.â
He cocked his head. âThere are plenty of good detective agencies you could go with. Why am I the only one?â
She shifted in the chair. âYou have connections to Bayside College. Your family funded some buildings there.â