Terri Reed - Protect And Serve

PERSON OF INTEREST

When rookie K-9 officer Shane West and his German shepherd partner find the lead police dog trainer murdered, he’s determined to bring the killer to justice. But then he discovers Gina Perry hiding nearby—a pretty junior trainer who had the motive, means and opportunity to kill her boss. Gina insists her troubled brother is the real murderer…and this isn’t the first time he’s killed. And when Gina’s brother comes after her, Shane is assigned to protect her and uncover the truth. Suddenly, Shane—a cop who always hoped to join a big-city force—vows to stay by Gina’s side as a murderer lurks in the small-town shadows.

Rookie K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners.

Gina had almost been killed.

Shane ran a hand over the back of the truck’s seat. Applying a little pressure on the backrest, he could feel the sharp tip of the arrow where it had gone through the metal of the truck. So close. He breathed out a prayer of thanksgiving.

Another inch and the arrow would have skewered Gina in the back.

Gina came out of the police station. “Tell me what’s happening.” She spotted the arrow sticking out of the back of the cab and gasped. “Do you think… Did my brother do this?”

Shane wouldn’t sugarcoat the truth. “Unless there’s someone with a vendetta against the K-9 trainers, which I doubt, I can’t think of anyone else who wants you dead. Can you?”

She wrapped her arms around her middle. “No.”

Shane didn’t like her standing outside, making herself an easy target if her brother had followed them to the station. “Come on, let’s get back inside.”

Gina followed Shane into the station and sank onto a bench.

Bella, Shane’s K-9 partner, went to her and put her chin on Gina’s knees.

That told Shane a lot.

ROOKIE K-9 UNIT:

These lawmen solve the toughest cases

with the help of their brave canine partners

Protect and Serve—Terri Reed, April 2016

Truth and Consequences—Lenora Worth, May 2016

Seek and Find—Dana Mentink, June 2016

Honor and Defend—Lynette Eason, July 2016

Secrets and Lies—Shirlee McCoy, August 2016

Search and Rescue—Valerie Hansen, September 2016

TERRI REED’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly top twenty-five and Nielsen BookScan’s top one hundred lists and have been featured in USA TODAY, Christian Fiction Magazine and RT Book Reviews. Her books have been finalists for the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award contest, the National Readers’ Choice Award contest and three times in the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Carol Award contest. Contact Terri at terrireed.comor PO Box 19555, Portland, OR 97224.

Protect

and Serve

Terri Reed

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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For God has not given us a spirit of fear,

but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

— 2 Timothy 1:7

To my family and my critique partners

for your encouragement, love and support.

And to my editors Emily Rodmell and Tina James

for inviting me to write this book and for believing in me. Thank you!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text PERSON OF INTEREST When rookie K-9 officer Shane West and his German shepherd partner find the lead police dog trainer murdered, he’s determined to bring the killer to justice. But then he discovers Gina Perry hiding nearby—a pretty junior trainer who had the motive, means and opportunity to kill her boss. Gina insists her troubled brother is the real murderer…and this isn’t the first time he’s killed. And when Gina’s brother comes after her, Shane is assigned to protect her and uncover the truth. Suddenly, Shane—a cop who always hoped to join a big-city force—vows to stay by Gina’s side as a murderer lurks in the small-town shadows. Rookie K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners.

Introduction Gina had almost been killed. Shane ran a hand over the back of the truck’s seat. Applying a little pressure on the backrest, he could feel the sharp tip of the arrow where it had gone through the metal of the truck. So close. He breathed out a prayer of thanksgiving. Another inch and the arrow would have skewered Gina in the back. Gina came out of the police station. “Tell me what’s happening.” She spotted the arrow sticking out of the back of the cab and gasped. “Do you think… Did my brother do this?” Shane wouldn’t sugarcoat the truth. “Unless there’s someone with a vendetta against the K-9 trainers, which I doubt, I can’t think of anyone else who wants you dead. Can you?” She wrapped her arms around her middle. “No.” Shane didn’t like her standing outside, making herself an easy target if her brother had followed them to the station. “Come on, let’s get back inside.” Gina followed Shane into the station and sank onto a bench. Bella, Shane’s K-9 partner, went to her and put her chin on Gina’s knees. That told Shane a lot. ROOKIE K-9 UNIT: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners Protect and Serve—Terri Reed, April 2016 Truth and Consequences—Lenora Worth, May 2016 Seek and Find—Dana Mentink, June 2016 Honor and Defend—Lynette Eason, July 2016 Secrets and Lies—Shirlee McCoy, August 2016 Search and Rescue—Valerie Hansen, September 2016

About the Author TERRI REED’s romance and romantic suspense novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly top twenty-five and Nielsen BookScan’s top one hundred lists and have been featured in USA TODAY, Christian Fiction Magazine and RT Book Reviews. Her books have been finalists for the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award contest, the National Readers’ Choice Award contest and three times in the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Carol Award contest. Contact Terri at terrireed.com or PO Box 19555, Portland, OR 97224.

Title Page Protect and Serve Terri Reed www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. — 2 Timothy 1:7

Dedication To my family and my critique partners for your encouragement, love and support. And to my editors Emily Rodmell and Tina James for inviting me to write this book and for believing in me. Thank you!

ONE

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TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

“Georgiiiinnnaaa!”

Gina Perry froze midstride in the center of her bedroom. An explosion of panic detonated in her chest. She recognized the unmistakable singsong tone of her brother.

Oh, no. No, no, no. Tim had tracked her to Desert Valley, Arizona.

Frantic with alarm, she whirled around to search the confines of her upstairs bedroom. The sliding glass door to the terrace stood open, allowing the dark March night air to fill her house.