Delores Fossen: Laying Down The Law

A Texas lawman must face his past and bring a serial killer to justice

DEA agent Cord Granger knows evidence doesn’t lie. And he knows the serial killer in custody—his biological father—is the Moonlight Strangler. With news of a similar attack, Cord takes the victim, rancher Karina Southerland, into his protective custody.

Marred by the Strangler’s hallmark slash across her cheek, Karina is sure Cord’s father is innocent. The real killer is still out there—and he’s coming to finish what he started. At least they can agree that their smoldering attraction is real. Now, if there’s any hope for a future, Cord must solve this murderous puzzle. Before the Moonlight Strangler strikes again.

“I went outside to check on the horses,” Karina continued after she’d gathered her breath. “When I stepped into the barn, he hit me over the head. I didn’t even see him. Didn’t know he was there until it was too late.”

Cord jumped right on that. “But you could tell for sure that it was a man?”

“Yes,” she said without hesitation.

Damn. “What happened next?” he pressed when she didn’t continue.

Karina closed her eyes a moment. Shuddered. “I screamed as I was falling, and he cut my face.” She reached to put her fingers there, but the paramedic moved them away.

It was the slice on her cheekbone. And the signature of the Moonlight Strangler.

Laying Down the Law

Delores Fossen

www.millsandboon.co.uk

DELORES FOSSEN, a USA TODAY bestselling author, has sold over fifty novels with millions of copies of her books in print worldwide. She’s received a Booksellers’ Best Award and an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. She was also a finalist for a prestigious RITA® Award. You can contact the author through her website at www.deloresfossen.com.

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CAST OF CHARACTERS CAST OF CHARACTERS Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Extract Copyright

Cord Granger—A tough DEA agent who believes his birth father is a notorious serial killer, the Moonlight Strangler, but Cord’s quest for justice puts him on a collision course with danger and

a woman who believes his birth father is an innocent man.

Karina Southerland—The last thing she needs is to feel an attraction for Cord, the hot cowboy lawman who’s gunning for someone she loves, but Cord is also the one person who can save her from a killer.

Willie Lee Samuels—Cord’s birth father, who’s in jail and charged with being the Moonlight Strangler.

Rocky Finney—Karina’s ranch hand, who has plenty of secrets, and one of those secrets could be the reason Karina’s in danger.

Harley Kramer—This businessman wants nothing more than for Karina to drop charges against him for breaking and entering. But how far would he go to force her to back down?

DeWayne Stringer—A cattle baron who’s had run-ins with Karina and Willie Lee for years. Did he frame Willie Lee for the murders?

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Texas lawman must face his past and bring a serial killer to justice DEA agent Cord Granger knows evidence doesn’t lie. And he knows the serial killer in custody—his biological father—is the Moonlight Strangler. With news of a similar attack, Cord takes the victim, rancher Karina Southerland, into his protective custody. Marred by the Strangler’s hallmark slash across her cheek, Karina is sure Cord’s father is innocent. The real killer is still out there—and he’s coming to finish what he started. At least they can agree that their smoldering attraction is real. Now, if there’s any hope for a future, Cord must solve this murderous puzzle. Before the Moonlight Strangler strikes again.

Introduction “I went outside to check on the horses,” Karina continued after she’d gathered her breath. “When I stepped into the barn, he hit me over the head. I didn’t even see him. Didn’t know he was there until it was too late.” Cord jumped right on that. “But you could tell for sure that it was a man?” “Yes,” she said without hesitation. Damn. “What happened next?” he pressed when she didn’t continue. Karina closed her eyes a moment. Shuddered. “I screamed as I was falling, and he cut my face.” She reached to put her fingers there, but the paramedic moved them away. It was the slice on her cheekbone. And the signature of the Moonlight Strangler.

Title Page Laying Down the Law Delores Fossen www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author DELORES FOSSEN, a USA TODAY bestselling author, has sold over fifty novels with millions of copies of her books in print worldwide. She’s received a Booksellers’ Best Award and an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. She was also a finalist for a prestigious RITA® Award. You can contact the author through her website at www.deloresfossen.com .

CAST OF CHARACTERS CAST OF CHARACTERS CAST OF CHARACTERS Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Extract Copyright Cord Granger—A tough DEA agent who believes his birth father is a notorious serial killer, the Moonlight Strangler, but Cord’s quest for justice puts him on a collision course with danger and a woman who believes his birth father is an innocent man. Karina Southerland—The last thing she needs is to feel an attraction for Cord, the hot cowboy lawman who’s gunning for someone she loves, but Cord is also the one person who can save her from a killer. Willie Lee Samuels—Cord’s birth father, who’s in jail and charged with being the Moonlight Strangler. Rocky Finney—Karina’s ranch hand, who has plenty of secrets, and one of those secrets could be the reason Karina’s in danger. Harley Kramer—This businessman wants nothing more than for Karina to drop charges against him for breaking and entering. But how far would he go to force her to back down? DeWayne Stringer—A cattle baron who’s had run-ins with Karina and Willie Lee for years. Did he frame Willie Lee for the murders?

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Blood.

Special Agent Cord Granger’s stomach tightened into a knot.

Since he’d worked for the Drug Enforcement Administration for the past nine years now, he’d seen plenty of blood before at various crime scenes. And a lot more of it than the drops that were here on the floor of the barn.