Excerpt Wednesday – Over The Edge

He'd never intended to get involved with Chelsea. He wasn't even attracted to her, but one night after he'd finished putting up some bookshelves for her, she'd handed him a cold beer and asked his advice on a personal matter. She was just a kid to him, and he'd only wanted to offer her guidance as a father would to his daughter.

As they talked, she kept supplying the beer and he kept drinking it. She seductively crossed her long slender legs several times as they conversed, and his eyes couldn't help but travel up to her hemline, which showed her young tender thighs. Now looking back, he realized that he was being set up. She'd charmed him and made him feel twenty again, complimenting him on all the areas his male ego loved, inflating him until he was ready for the kill. She'd made him briefly forget that Maggie was the only woman he wanted and loved.

He was sick to his very core afterward. There was no excuse for what he'd done, and there was no changing that fact. After their one-night stand, he tried avoiding Chelsea, but she began showing up in the places she knew he'd be. She was a close friend of Janna Evans, and even though Chris had nothing personal against Janna, he couldn't stand her husband Brant. He'd known Brant ever since Brant was a young boy and Chris had been hired to do some remodeling on the Evans' home. During his breaks, Brant would sit asking all kinds of questions. As Chris worked that summer, he thought it odd that Brant had few playmates, but in time, even at such a young age, Brant's nastiness showed through in the way he treated the few boys who came around. He was a selfish, self-centered boy, and as Chris's work on the Evans' home came to an end, Chris realized why the boy was avoided like the plague.

Since that time, Brant had considered Chris a friend and occasionally invited him to social functions. Chris only attended knowing it was better to have Brant for a friend rather than an enemy. Brant's reputation was well known, and his malevolence came full circle when he joined the police department. It didn't take him long to infiltrate his self-absorbed power with a few of his coworkers who secretly shared his wickedness but had been uncertain how to put it to use. That was until Brant Evans came along.

Chris recalled the conversation he'd recently had with Brant when Brant had unexpectedly shown up at his apartment.

"We need to talk, Jacoby."

Chris eyed him suspiciously knowing from the way he held himself erect and the squaring of his jaw that Brant wasn't in the mood for games. But then, Brant Evans didn't possess even the remotest sense of humor as far as Chris was concerned. "What can I do for you, Brant?"

"You know that my wife and Chelsea are best friends."

He nodded. "I'm aware of that."

Brant leaned against the doorjamb. "It seems we have a problem." He thoughtfully pulled on his chin.

Chris shrugged his shoulders and frowned. "I don't know what you're talking about. Is there something I can help you with?"

Brant laughed. "Get off it, Chris. For God's sake, you don't just fuck a young beauty like Chelsea Howard and walk away. What the hell's the matter with you?"

Chris ran his hand through his hair as the color drained from his face. "What happened between Chelsea and me was a big mistake. For Christ's sake, Brant, she's just a kid. It never should have happened." He emphatically shook his head back and forth wondering why she'd even mentioned that night. He supposed it was another sign of the times that he hated so much. Years ago a woman never would have mentioned the most intimate details of her sexual experiences to her friends. Or at least he'd always assumed that women were above the locker-room mentality of men. "I'll always regret it."

"But it did happen." He squared his shoulders.

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Excerpt Wednesday – Silent Dreams

"I want you to meet him right now—tonight, that’s all." She fidgeted with her bracelet. "Just for a few minutes. Please?"

"Okay, but then you’re on your own." She walked to a comfortable-looking upholstered antique chair and seated herself.

"He’s here," Kami whispered when she heard the familiar knock on the door. She rushed to answer it. Seconds later she led the tall, slim, good-looking man into the living room.

Blaine noticed that he was several years older than Kami and her. She definitely wasn’t into older men.

"Blaine, I’d like you to meet Josh Barnes," Kami said with a warm smile aimed at Blaine.

Before Blaine could acknowledge him, his eyes locked with hers making her uncomfortable. There was something about his eyes that caused her to instantly distrust him. She definitely wouldn’t be going out with him.

"Well, well, she’s even better than I imagined, Kami." He smiled, showing off a perfect set of white teeth. "Good work." He moved closer to Blaine. "Stand up," he said softly, extending a hand to help her to her feet.

She cocked a suspicious eye at him. "Why?"

"Because I asked you to," he answered in the same soft voice.

Blaine smirked, shooting a sideways glance at Kami as she noted Josh’s expensive suit and the ease with which he wore it. She assumed that his classic movie star looks and obvious wealth made him think he could demand whatever he wanted whenever he wanted it. "Who do you think you are?" Her voice was icy. "No offense, Kami, but I am definitely not impressed. Someone should have taught your friend some proper manners."
Josh kept his eyes on her as his lips turned up into an amused, but at the same time, eerie smile.

"Just do as he asks," Kami said in a low voice.

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Excerpt Wednesday – The Black Heart

Carter leaned against a tree, watching his family. They were all so different, yet came from the same womb. He shook his head. He'd never feel the same about anything anymore. He would take nothing for granted, enjoy each day to the fullest, and find peace within himself with no regrets. He needed to seek out that peace. That was the one thing that had eluded him since he took Morgan for his bride. He wished his family would celebrate his happiness. He desperately craved it, but they refused to accept her and that tortured him because family meant everything to him. He knew that Collin's wife hadn't been readily accepted into the family, but since she was a local girl, that was definitely in her favor. That put her way ahead of Morgan. Morgan had been patient believing that someday they would welcome her. To anyone on the outside looking in, it would appear that they had. They were polite, but that's as far as it went. Except for Jude. He was happy when they became close. At least it was a start. At first, Morgan had masked the pain she was feeling from being slighted by the family, but lately she was verbalizing her feelings in ways that made Carter uncomfortable. He knew they were wrong, but he didn't want to lose the closeness he shared with them and he was terrified that eventually Morgan would give him an ultimatum. He sighed wearily. His mind felt like it would explode with the weight on it.

He looked at his brothers again. Hunter was in control of his emotions for the time being. That was a relief to him. It was one thing to see his sisters cry, but he couldn't take it when his brothers did. Tomorrow would be a different story. It would be one of the hardest days he ever had to endure.

Carter waited another ten minutes, and then motioned his family to join him. They stood in front of the car, eyes fixed on the ruins of their former home. The memories would have to suffice now; there was nothing else left. Once again, he felt a tinge of remorse for the part of his life Becca would never experience and for the grandmother she'd never get to know. His stories and photographs would have to be sufficient. All of the family heirlooms and photos of his siblings and him when they were children were gone, too. He was glad that he'd taken pictures of his mother over the years.

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Excerpt Wednesday – Twisted Lives

Daniel quickly got to his feet. "Stay here for a minute. I'll be right back." He hurried to Lt. Jackson's office. Ben was coming around the corner.

"Slow down, Daniel. What's up?" Ben asked.

"I've got to talk to the lieutenant. The same man who we suspect of being our serial killer employs Randy Kane. He could be the next victim." He rapped on the door, and then opened it without waiting for consent. Ben followed him inside.

Lieutenant Jackson sat behind a large desk and looked up as they entered.

"We need protection for Randy Kane. He works for this guy," Daniel explained, stabbing a finger at the composite sitting on top of a stack of files on the cluttered desk. "The same man we believe is responsible for his brother's death."

Lt. Jackson leaned back in his chair and pulled at his chin. "I agree, but we need to locate him first."

"What do you mean?" Daniel asked.

The older man's eyes narrowed. "Bill Kane just called and said he and his wife still haven't seen or heard from Randy."

"Maybe he found out about his brother and took off to be alone," Ben offered.

"No, I don't buy it. I think he would have gone home for Sara's sake," Daniel said. "The three kids are very close, and the boys very protective of their sister."

Lt. Jackson eyed the detectives. "I want you two to track him down." He glanced at the composite. "I just hope it's not too late." 

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