The Soldier's Sister
Someone wants Stephanie Upton dead. A warning to leave town is just the beginning.Fearing for her life, Stephanie turns to Special Agent Brody Goodman for help and protection. But can she trust him when he’s convinced her own brother is a prime suspect? Torn between her devotion to two men—an estranged brother whose trust she yearns to regain and an agent she may be falling for—Stephanie doesn’t know whom or what to believe. As feelings between her and Brody escalate, she’ll have to choose sides to stay alive.
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WHO WILL PROTECT HER?
Someone wants Stephanie Upton dead. A warning to leave town is just the beginning. Fearing for her life, Stephanie turns to Special Agent Brody Goodman for help and protection. But can she trust him when heâs convinced her own brother is a prime suspect? Torn between her devotion to two menâan estranged brother whose trust she yearns to regain and an agent she may be falling forâStephanie doesnât know whom or what to believe. As feelings between her and Brody escalate, sheâll have to choose sides to stay alive.
Military Investigations: Serving their country and solving crimes
Brody continued to grip her hand as if he feared sheâd ignore his request.
Drawn to the controlled strength of his hold, she glanced up once again, finding his gaze haunting. There was something under the surface that Brody wasnât willing to share, something more than his concern for an injured soldier. In that fleeting moment, she glimpsed an unspoken need. For what, she wasnât sure.
A flash of awareness passed between them. He pulled in a breath and released her hand.
The separation jarred her. Surely she hadnât wanted him to continue holding her hand. Or had she?
Surprised and angered when tears pooled in her eyes, she blinked them back. What was it about this man that caused such a mix of emotion to well up within her?
DEBBY GIUSTI
is a medical technologist who loves working with test tubes and petri dishes almost as much as she loves to write. Growing up as an army brat, Debby met and married her husbandâthen a captain in the armyâat Fort Knox, Kentucky. Together they traveled the world, raised three wonderful army brats of their own and have now settled in Atlanta, Georgia, where Debby spins tales of suspense that touch the heart and soul. Contact Debby through her website, www.debbygiusti.com, email [email protected], or write c/o Love Inspired Suspense, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.
Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
âPsalms 34:3â4
Heartfelt thanks to Ann Yingling, AW2 Advocate, Atlanta Metropolitan Area and North Georgia, and Nancy Carlisle, AW2 Advocate, Fort Benning, Georgia, for providing invaluable information about the Army Wounded Warrior Program.
With gratitude to LTC Stony Lohr, U.S. Army Retired, for his help with the Military Investigations series.
Contents
ONE
The gathering dark clouds had mirrored Stephanie Uptonâs mood since sheâd returned home to Freemont, Georgia, two days earlier. Grateful as she was to get the job as the Army Wounded Warrior advocate at nearby Fort Rickman where her brother Ted was convalescing from his war injuries, she was frustrated that he had refused to see her or answer her phone calls.
So much for a happy homecoming.
The August storm hit just as she left town, heading back to post. She leaned forward in the driverâs seat, wishing sheâd replaced the old windshield wipers that failed to clear the heavy downpour. Squinting, she could barely make out the yellow dividing line on the road.
A small strip mall appeared in the distance. She turned her Corolla into the parking lot to wait out the deluge and reached for her cell phone. Glancing at her client file on the passenger seat, she tapped in the number for Private First Class Joshua Webb and smiled, remembering her younger brotherâs high school friend.
âJoshua, this is Stephanie Upton, Tedâs sister,â she said when the call went to voice mail. âIâm back in town and took the position at Fort Rickman as the AW2âArmy Wounded Warriorâadvocate. I know this is short notice, but youâre on my caseload. Since we need to schedule an appointment, I thought Iâd stop by now while Iâm the neighborhood and see how youâre doing.â
She glanced at her watch. âIâm about ten minutes from your house. As soon as the rain lets up, Iâll head your way. Looking forward to seeing you soon.â
Joshua and Ted had served in the same unit in Afghanistan and both had been injured by an IED. Josh had lost his legs, while her brother had sustained burns on his stomach and lower extremities. The two friends had been medically evacuated to hospitals in the United States and finally sent back to Fort Rickman.
Eventually, Josh would learn to walk with prosthetic legs, but for now he was wheelchair bound, which was probably the reason he hadnât answered her call. Hopefully, he would retrieve the message before she arrived on his doorstep.
Three years ago and just a few weeks after both guys had graduated from high school, Stephanie had left Freemont, never expecting to return. At least not so soon. Over time her feelings had mellowed and eventually taken a backseat to helping her brother through his current recuperation.
