Debby Giusti - Person of Interest

WOMAN ON THE RUN

While babysitting a young servicewoman’s infant, Natalie Frazier hears a murder in the neighboring army duplex. Convinced her former commander is behind the crime, the ex-soldier bolts with the baby. But who will believe her story? Army investigator Everett Kohl deals only with the facts, but this time his gut instincts can’t be denied. Is the attractive Natalie a cunning killer, as his ranking officers believe, or an innocent victim? Ordered to bring her in, Everett has a decision to make. Helping her could cost him his job…but not protecting Natalie and the baby could get all of them killed…

Military Investigations: Serving their country and solving crimes

“Keep your head down.”

Everett pulled off the roadway onto a dirt path. “We’re being followed.”

It’s him. The killer. She didn’t give voice to her suspicion. Couldn’t.

He stopped behind a thick stand of trees. “Stay here. I’ll go check.”

Seconds after he disappeared into the woods, brakes squealed in the distance. Cuddling the baby tighter, she heard a crack of a gunshot cut through the stillness.

A lump of fear filled her throat.

No. Surely Everett hadn’t been shot. Then a new realization hit her. The shooter could follow the tire tracks. She and the baby were easy prey.

She stepped from the car and ran, clutching the baby close.

Leaves rustled behind her. Footfalls came closer. Her toe caught, she started to fall and someone grabbed her.

“I’ve got you.”

It wasn’t the killer, but Everett.

DEBBY GIUSTI is an award-winning Christian author who met and married her military husband at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Together they traveled the world, raised three wonderful children and have now settled in Atlanta, Georgia, where Debby spins tales of mystery and suspense that touch the heart and soul. Visit Debby online at debbygiusti.com; blog with her at seekerville.blogspot.comand craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com; and email her at Debby@DebbyGiusti.com.

Person of Interest

Debby Giusti

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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I love you, Lord, my strength,

Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer,

My God, my rock of refuge,

my shield, my saving horn, my stronghold!

—Psalms 18:2

In thanksgiving for

The Seekers

My twelve Sisters in Christ

who spread God’s message of

love and mercy

through their wonderful stories.

I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you.

—Philippians 1:3

Tina Radcliffe

Mary Connealy

Janet Dean

Audra Harders

Ruth Logan Herne

Pam Hillman

Cara Lynn James

Myra Johnson

Glynna Kaye

Sandra Leesmith

Julie Lessman

Missy Tippens

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text WOMAN ON THE RUN While babysitting a young servicewoman’s infant, Natalie Frazier hears a murder in the neighboring army duplex. Convinced her former commander is behind the crime, the ex-soldier bolts with the baby. But who will believe her story? Army investigator Everett Kohl deals only with the facts, but this time his gut instincts can’t be denied. Is the attractive Natalie a cunning killer, as his ranking officers believe, or an innocent victim? Ordered to bring her in, Everett has a decision to make. Helping her could cost him his job…but not protecting Natalie and the baby could get all of them killed… Military Investigations: Serving their country and solving crimes

Introduction “Keep your head down.” Everett pulled off the roadway onto a dirt path. “We’re being followed.” It’s him. The killer. She didn’t give voice to her suspicion. Couldn’t. He stopped behind a thick stand of trees. “Stay here. I’ll go check.” Seconds after he disappeared into the woods, brakes squealed in the distance. Cuddling the baby tighter, she heard a crack of a gunshot cut through the stillness. A lump of fear filled her throat. No. Surely Everett hadn’t been shot. Then a new realization hit her. The shooter could follow the tire tracks. She and the baby were easy prey. She stepped from the car and ran, clutching the baby close. Leaves rustled behind her. Footfalls came closer. Her toe caught, she started to fall and someone grabbed her. “I’ve got you.” It wasn’t the killer, but Everett.

About the Author DEBBY GIUSTI is an award-winning Christian author who met and married her military husband at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Together they traveled the world, raised three wonderful children and have now settled in Atlanta, Georgia, where Debby spins tales of mystery and suspense that touch the heart and soul. Visit Debby online at debbygiusti.com ; blog with her at seekerville.blogspot.com and craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com ; and email her at Debby@DebbyGiusti.com.

Title Page Person of Interest Debby Giusti www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse I love you, Lord, my strength, Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, my saving horn, my stronghold! —Psalms 18:2

Dedication In thanksgiving for The Seekers My twelve Sisters in Christ who spread God’s message of love and mercy through their wonderful stories. I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you. —Philippians 1:3 Tina Radcliffe Mary Connealy Janet Dean Audra Harders Ruth Logan Herne Pam Hillman Cara Lynn James Myra Johnson Glynna Kaye Sandra Leesmith Julie Lessman Missy Tippens

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

TWENTY-ONE

EPILOGUE

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

Natalie Frazier’s heart raced as she woke with a start and struggled to get her bearings. Blinking her way back to reality, she recognized the Joneses’ living room on post at Fort Rickman, Georgia, instead of her own apartment in nearby Freemont.

Outside, wind tangled through the giant oaks. Branches creaked in the September night and scraped against the two-story brick quarters. The sound added to her unease as lightning flashed through the windows, followed by thunder that buffeted the house.

She closed the book that lay open on her lap and hesitated, listening for the baby’s cry. Relieved that the little one hadn’t awakened, she placed the textbook on the coffee table. How to Manage the Middle School Classroom was required reading for her teaching degree and had undoubtedly lulled her to sleep.

But what had awakened her?

Natalie had accepted the two-week nanny position caring for Lieutenant Wanda Jones’s five-month-old daughter while Wanda was away for training, and she planned to use the time to catch up on her classwork.

As prior military, with six years on active duty under her belt, Natalie was usually unfazed by new circumstances. Tonight was different.

In hopes of calming her anxiety, she hurried into the foyer and insured the front door was locked before she stepped to the nearby window. Easing back the curtain, she stared for a long moment at the narrow, two-lane road that ran through the military housing area. A porch light from one of the duplexes across the street cast a yellow glow over the few cars parked at the curb.