Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
The first body is torn apart, blood and flesh discovered across both state and federal lands. As the victims multiply, a pattern emerges—each is related to past cases investigated by Laurel Snow, with the assist of Huck Rivers, Washington Fish and Wildlife captain. When friends and loved ones are targeted, things become even more chillingly personal.
As Laurel and Huck team up again to navigate the gruesome and increasingly bizarre killings, they must also keep a safe distance from Laurel’s half-sister, Abigail, a dangerously clever sociopath. Ever since their father reappeared in town, Abigail has been convinced she must protect Laurel from his malignant narcissism—a scourge she’s sure they’ve both inherited. Huck is not spared either as a shocking development in the case touches his own life.
With the murders, and the suspects, multiplying around them, and the lives of everyone in their orbit at stake, only Laurel’s sharp analytic skills, Huck’s deep gut instincts, and their growing bond will enable them to face the demons within and the threats without—before they’re next on an elusive killer’s hit list .
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Chapter 1
Icicles hung like sharpened spikes along the eaves of the hospital as FBI Special Agent in Charge Laurel Snow ducked her head against the biting wind and strode across the crunchy snow to enter the building. The door shut behind her with a grinding screech. She shivered and brushed snow off her shoulders. Winter had extended her reign into the beginning of April, which wasn’t unusual for the sleepy town of Genesis Valley, and yet the chill factor seemed to be worsening.
Her footsteps echoed hollowly through the vacant waiting area, and she hastened at the sight of the unmanned reception area. The nurse was known to be a barracuda who liked to block people, so Laurel skirted the desk and hustled down the northern hallway.
Her phone buzzed, and she paused, lifting it to her ear. “Agent Snow.”
“Hey, Laurel,” Walter said. “I just got your message. Do you need me at the hospital?”
“No. You keep packing. I’m fully equipped to handle this.”
Walter cleared his throat. As her second-in-command, he’d been injured several times in the last few months, and she was pleased he and his girlfriend had won a vacation to a sunny and relaxing locale.
“I don’t like that Jason Abbott wants to see you in the hospital. Do you have backup?” Walter asked.
Laurel’s service weapon felt snug at the back of her waist. She looked down the empty hallway, noting one of the fluorescent lights buzzing in the far distance. “The Genesis Valley Police are guarding Jason Abbott,” she said. “I have plenty of backup. Please continue your preparations for your time off.”
Walter exhaled heavily through the phone. “I can’t believe he tried to kill himself again.”
Abbott’s actions didn’t fit with his pathology, but perhaps the lack of hope was enough to make the serial killer want to avoid trial. Laurel had gathered enough evidence against him that he would certainly be convicted of brutally murdering successful women, cutting off their hands, and leaving them frozen in icy graves. This was the second time he’d attempted suicide while awaiting trial.
“What did he say when he called?” Walter asked.
The buzzing from the far light increased by several decibels.
Laurel swallowed. “He called our office and said that he wanted to talk about additional victims.” Apparently the hospital had let him use a phone, which was something she would address after she spoke with him. “He waived his right to an attorney as well.”
Walter crunched on something, probably ice. “Isn’t that surprising? He has a good lawyer.”
“He’s an angry narcissist who believes he’s more intelligent than everybody else.”
Walter snorted. “Even you?”
She leaned against the wall, trying to keep herself out of sight of the nurses. The place seemed deserted. “Especially me. I’ll report back what I discover. You continue packing.”
Walter chuckled. “All right, boss. Give me a call after you meet with the lunatic.”
She clicked off and slid the phone into her pocket before looking in both directions and hurrying toward the end of the hall. Evading that nurse had become imperative. Laurel turned the corner in time to see a uniformed police officer step into room 113. Irritation clocked through her. As a dullard, the local sheriff might not be teaching his officers proper procedure. Unbuttoning her coat just in case she needed to reach for her weapon, she strode toward the doorway and walked inside.
“Officer, return to your post,” she said to his broad back.
He stood looking down at the figure in the bed, his shoulders wide and his fists clenched at his sides. She could comprehend his anger. Jason Abbott was a brutal killer, and many people wanted him dead.
“Officer,” she said.
He pivoted suddenly.
She recognized him, but it was too late.
He slammed her against the wall and shut the door, one hand clutching her throat, the other covering her mouth.
Jason Abbott.
She gulped several times, her hands loose at her sides, and then looked beyond him to the figure in the bed.
“The officer,” he affirmed.
“Is he deceased?” she said against the palm over her mouth. He had her backed up to the wall, close enough that she couldn’t quickly reach for her gun. The heavy metal bit into her back, just waiting for her to move into action.
He shook his head. “Not yet, but he’s full of sedatives.”
Jason stood at least a foot taller than she, and his dark blue eyes sparked with anger. Even furious, he was a handsome man, with his closely cut beard and his broad shoulders. Solid, with a high percentage of muscle mass compared to fat, he’d obviously been working out these months in jail.
She swallowed, refusing to show fear. He needed the fear and wanted it desperately. So she rolled her eyes.
He blinked and then slowly removed his hand.
Her throat ached, but she kept calm, glancing at the bandages covering his wrists. “You didn’t cut very deeply.”