Shadow Of Suspicion
FRAMEDFirst, computer specialist Laney Ryan’s accused of kidnapping her neighbour’s daughter—and now someone’s trying to kill her. The police don’t believe Laney’s story…except for Detective Mark James, whose instincts say Laney isn’t guilty.Together, Mark and Laney must figure out who really abducted the teen and uncover why they’re framing Laney. But when their search for the truth turns deadly, Mark realises his feelings for Laney aren’t strictly professional and that he’ll stop at nothing to keep her safe. With a dangerous suspect swiftly closing in, can they find the missing girl and clear Laney’s name…before their possible future together is fatally cut short?
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FRAMED
First, computer specialist Laney Ryanâs accused of kidnapping her neighborâs daughterâand now someoneâs trying to kill her. The police donât believe Laneyâs story...except for Detective Mark James, whose instincts say Laney isnât guilty. Together, Mark and Laney must figure out who really abducted the teen and uncover why theyâre framing Laney. But when their search for the truth turns deadly, Mark realizes his feelings for Laney arenât strictly professional and that heâll stop at nothing to keep her safe. With a dangerous suspect swiftly closing in, can they find the missing girl and clear Laneyâs name...before their possible future together is fatally cut short?
Another gunshot rang out.
More glass shattered. The tension in her chest tightened as anxiety gripped her.
âStay here,â Detective James said.
Laney didnât have time to argue. He pushed away from her, his gun drawn, and approached the door.
Please donât let him get killed, she silently prayed, her palms pressed into the cool tile floor of her entryway. Shards of glass lay around her, a reminder of the gravity of the situation. Would they make it out of this alive?
The detective had been a thorn in her side, to say the least. Heâd put her through the ringer at the station. Then again, she supposed he was just doing his job. But still, she didnât want to see him hurt. Especially not after heâd shown a halfway-human side of himself in the car.
âSol, put the gun down!â Detective James yelled.
Laney sucked in a quick breath. Sol? Sol was shooting at her? Had the man lost his mind? Was this what grief did to a person?
Laney knew the answer to that question: yes.
Iâve always loved spy stories. I think because theyâre so out of the realm of my ordinary life that they seem a bit like a thrilling roller-coaster rideâfull of high-stakes adventure yet safe. The more dangerous, the better. Bring on the excitementâas long as I can stay safe in my little suburban house!
Iâve gone through the Citizens FBI Academy, as well as my local Citizenâs Police Academy. People have asked me if Iâd ever want to go into law enforcement. My answer is always a quick noâIâd be terrible doing those jobs!
I hope you enjoyed getting to know Laney and Mark. Their stories certainly intrigued me and kept me guessing as I wrote. Laney was falsely accused and was desperate to both clear her name and to rescue her neighbor.
Have you ever been falsely accused? Maybe your situation isnât anything like Laneyâs, but itâs not fun when people make assumptions about you. Iâm comforted by the fact that God loves me and sees me as I am.
Iâd like to give a special thank-you to those who serve our country. From police officers to firefighters, to the military and even the CIAâyouâre doing a job I could never do. For that, I tip my hat.
Many blessings,
CHRISTY BARRITTâs books have won a Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery and have been twice nominated for the RT Reviewersâ Choice Best Book Award. Sheâs married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks sheâs hilariousâbut only when sheâs not trying to be. Christyâs a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover and a road trip aficionado. For more information, visit her website at christybarritt.com.
And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
âMicah 6:8
This book is dedicated to those who put their lives on the line in order to protect others: police, firefighters, military and countless others. Thank you.
Contents
Laney Ryan paused, her fingers poised over her keyboard midstroke. A noise outside her suburban home caused her spine to clinch and a moment of fear to seize her thoughts.
She was being silly. The sound was probably her neighbor across the street returning home. Or maybe a deliveryman was dropping off a package. It was nothing to be concerned over.
Her instincts blazed, and she was unable to believe either of those scenarios. Something was going on outside her houseâsomething she needed to prepare for.
Quickly, she turned off her computer and stashed it in the locked drawer hidden beneath her desk. Wasting no time, she stood. She had to get to her bedroom to grab her gun.
Sheâd only taken one step in that direction when her front door burst open.
A flash bang exploded in her entryway, and smoke filled the house. Feet stampeded across her floor as an unseen army invaded her space. As enemies breached her territory. As danger closed in.
She ducked by the dining room table and stifled a scream, unwilling to give away her presence even though panic rushed through her. She grabbed the edge of a chair, unable to see. Smoke blocked her vision, filled her lungs, burned her eyes.
