Christy Barritt - Shadow Of Suspicion

FRAMED

First, computer specialist Laney Ryan’s accused of kidnapping her neighbor’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 realizes 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?

Another gunshot rang out.

More glass shattered. The tension in her chest tightened as anxiety gripped her.

“Stay here,” Detective James said.

Laney didn’t have time to argue. He pushed away from her, his gun drawn, and approached the door.

Please don’t 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. He’d put her through the ringer at the station. Then again, she supposed he was just doing his job. But still, she didn’t want to see him hurt. Especially not after he’d shown a halfway-human side of himself in the car.

“Sol, put the gun down!” 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.

Dear Reader Dear Reader About the Author Title Page Bible Verse Dedication ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN SIXTEEN SEVENTEEN EIGHTEEN NINETEEN TWENTY EPILOGUE Extract Copyright ,

I’ve always loved spy stories. I think because they’re so out of the realm of my ordinary life that they seem a bit like a thrilling roller-coaster ride—full of high-stakes adventure yet safe. The more dangerous, the better. Bring on the excitement—as long as I can stay safe in my little suburban house!

I’ve gone through the Citizens FBI Academy, as well as my local Citizen’s Police Academy. People have asked me if I’d ever want to go into law enforcement. My answer is always a quick no—I’d 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 isn’t anything like Laney’s, but it’s not fun when people make assumptions about you. I’m comforted by the fact that God loves me and sees me as I am.

I’d like to give a special thank-you to those who serve our country. From police officers to firefighters, to the military and even the CIA—you’re doing a job I could never do. For that, I tip my hat.

Many blessings,

CHRISTY BARRITT’s books have won a Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery and have been twice nominated for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover and a road trip aficionado. For more information, visit her website at christybarritt.com.

Shadow of Suspicion

Christy Barritt

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

—Micah 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

Cover

Back Cover Text FRAMED First, computer specialist Laney Ryan’s accused of kidnapping her neighbor’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 realizes 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?

Introduction Another gunshot rang out. More glass shattered. The tension in her chest tightened as anxiety gripped her. “Stay here,” Detective James said. Laney didn’t have time to argue. He pushed away from her, his gun drawn, and approached the door. Please don’t 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. He’d put her through the ringer at the station. Then again, she supposed he was just doing his job. But still, she didn’t want to see him hurt. Especially not after he’d shown a halfway-human side of himself in the car. “Sol, put the gun down!” 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.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader About the Author Title Page Bible Verse Dedication ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN SIXTEEN SEVENTEEN EIGHTEEN NINETEEN TWENTY EPILOGUE Extract Copyright , I’ve always loved spy stories. I think because they’re so out of the realm of my ordinary life that they seem a bit like a thrilling roller-coaster ride—full of high-stakes adventure yet safe. The more dangerous, the better. Bring on the excitement—as long as I can stay safe in my little suburban house! I’ve gone through the Citizens FBI Academy, as well as my local Citizen’s Police Academy. People have asked me if I’d ever want to go into law enforcement. My answer is always a quick no—I’d 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 isn’t anything like Laney’s, but it’s not fun when people make assumptions about you. I’m comforted by the fact that God loves me and sees me as I am. I’d like to give a special thank-you to those who serve our country. From police officers to firefighters, to the military and even the CIA—you’re doing a job I could never do. For that, I tip my hat. Many blessings,