Thread of Suspicion
When someone sabotages ex-Navy SEAL Luke Baldwin’s “unhackable” software, there’s more than his reputation at stake. Faced with treason charges, Luke turns to Dani Justice, a computer expert and skilled investigator. She’s eager to dive into the challenging case…until she uncovers a devastating connection. The hacker framing Luke has a personal, deadly history with Dani. Luke’s code of honor—and his growing feelings—make him resolved to protect the sweet, strong woman he knows is more vulnerable than she’d admit. But what good are his training or determination against an enemy who can hack into any system, and find them wherever they hide?
Читать Thread of Suspicion онлайн беплатно
FALSELY ACCUSED!
When someone sabotages former navy SEAL Luke Baldwinâs âunhackableâ software, thereâs more than his reputation at stake. Faced with treason charges, Luke turns to Dani Justice, a computer expert and skilled investigator. Sheâs eager to dive into the challenging caseâ¦until she uncovers a devastating connection. The hacker framing Luke has a personal, deadly history with Dani. Lukeâs code of honor and his growing feelings make him resolved to protect the sweet, strong woman he knows is more vulnerable than sheâd admit. But what good is his training or determination against an enemy who can hack into any system and find them wherever they hide?
The Justice Agency: Family and law enforcement go hand in hand
âWhat are the chances that the police will have the hacked computer?â Luke asked.
âVery low, andââ Dani paused to meet his gaze to ensure he was listening ââeven if we do find it, I have no proof that you didnât use this laptop then discard it yourself.â
He fisted his hands. âThen what do you need to clear my name?â
Good question. âAt this point, I donât see anything that will clear your name short of finding the real hacker.â
His shoulders slumped in defeat. He peered at Dani, and the agony in his eyes made her draw in a breath at his vulnerability. She should probably heed the evidence or lack of evidence, but despite nothing pointing to his innocence, she didnât think he was guilty.
Or was she just hoping that the man who sparked something inside her that sheâd thought long dead was innocent of a terrible crime like treason?
SUSAN SLEEMAN
grew up in a small Wisconsin town where she spent her summers reading Nancy Drew and developing a love of mystery and suspense books. Today she channels this enthusiasm into hosting the popular internet website TheSuspenseZone.com and writing romantic suspense and mystery novels.
Much to her husbandâs chagrin, Susan loves to look at everyday situations and turn them into murder-and-mayhem scenarios for future novels. If youâve met Susan, she has probably figured out a plausible way to kill you and get away with it.
Susan currently lives in Oregon, but has had the pleasure of living in nine states. Her husband is a church music director and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law and an adorable grandson. To learn more about Susan, please visit www.SusanSleeman.com.
To every thing there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heavens.
âEcclesiastes 3:1
Acknowledgments
Thanks to:
My familyâmy husband, Mark, who doesnât cringe when I ask for help.
My daughter Emma for helping me plot and edit this book, and Erin for your continued support.
Elizabeth Mazerâyour insight and editing take my writing to the next level.
Ron Norrisâretired police officer with the LaVerne Police Department. You provide me with police, weapon and military details on a timely basis. Any errors in or liberties taken with the technical details Ron so patiently provides are all my doing.
And most important, thank You, God, for reminding me that Your timing is always perfect.
To the brave men and women of the military. Thank you for your heroic service to our country.
Contents
ONE
Luke Baldwinâs training as a Navy SEAL warned him he was in trouble. To pay attention, be still and take precautions. But darkness clawed at his senses, keeping him from fully waking and heeding the warning.
Hoping to get his bearings, he concentrated on the sounds unfolding around him. Cars whizzed by. Horns honked. If he were home in bed where he should be, heâd hear the quiet of suburban life, not Portlandâs bustling traffic.
Digging deeper, he managed to pry his eyes open and look around. He sat behind the wheel of his battered Jeep Wrangler tipped at an angle in the ditch with the hood pressed against an enormous Oregon pine. Thick underbrush had swallowed up his car and spindly pines swayed overhead in icy winds.
âWhat in the world?â He shook his head to clear his mind. Razor-sharp pain stabbed between his eyes. He let the lids fall, hoping to end the blinding intensity. Nausea curled his stomach and burned up his throat as the damp cold of winter seeped to his bones.
How had he ended up in the ditch?
Câmon, Baldwin, think.
He breathed deeply, letting oxygen rush to his brain and stem the nausea. Clarity tugged the edges of his mind, then suddenly it all came flooding back.
Heâd been driving home in the wee hours of the morning to grab a quick shower before todayâs demonstration of his companyâs software. The roads were slick with rain, and fog hovered over the pavement. Driving too fast for the conditions, heâd felt his car start to slide. Heâd pumped the brakes. The pedal had sunk to the floor with no resistance. His car had left the pavement, slipping into the ditch and ramming the tree. With no airbags, his head had slammed into the wheel and everything had gone black.
