Lynette Eason - Trail Of Evidence

SAVING HIS SON

Why is a dead woman’s phone—evidence in a murder investigation—in Jonas Parker’s son’s bedroom? Dangerous thugs are after that phone and his terrified teenager, so the single father turns to Capitol K-9 Unit officer Brooke Clark. Years ago, Brooke broke Jonas’s heart without explanation. But he has to trust her and her highly trained golden retriever to keep his son safe. When the boy goes missing, Jonas and Brooke must make peace with their past to find the teen—before increasingly desperate criminals get to him first.

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

“I hate to ask this, but…”

Brooke looked uncomfortable.

“What?” Jonas asked.

“Your son had a dead woman’s cell phone in his room. Do you think he had anything to do with her death?”

Jonas stepped back, her words hurting more than if she’d slapped him. “What? No. Of course not.” He raked a hand through his hair, hating the flash of doubt that raced through him. “No. I mean my son has been getting in some trouble lately, but he’d never hurt—kill—someone over a stupid phone.”

She held up a hand. “Just had to ask.”

The anger fizzled as fast as it had flamed. “I understand why you might ask that, but no. It’s not possible.”

“Then how did the phone wind up under his mattress two months after its owner was found murdered?”

* * *

CAPITOL K-9 UNIT:

These lawmen solve the toughest cases

with the help of their brave canine partners

Protection Detail—Shirlee McCoy, March 2015 Duty Bound Guardian—Terri Reed, April 2015 Trail of Evidence—Lynette Eason, May 2015 Security Breach—Margaret Daley, June 2015 Detecting Danger—Valerie Hansen, July 2015 Proof of Innocence—Lenora Worth, August 2015

LYNETTE EASON is a bestselling, award-winning author who makes her home in South Carolina with her husband and two teenage children. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and teaching at various writing conferences around the country. She is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). Lynette can often be found online interacting with her readers. You can find her at facebook.com/lynette.easonand on Twitter at @lynetteeason.

Trail of

Evidence

Lynette Eason

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.

—Romans 9:8

Dedicated to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank You for giving me the passion to write and to write for You.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text SAVING HIS SON Why is a dead woman’s phone—evidence in a murder investigation—in Jonas Parker’s son’s bedroom? Dangerous thugs are after that phone and his terrified teenager, so the single father turns to Capitol K-9 Unit officer Brooke Clark. Years ago, Brooke broke Jonas’s heart without explanation. But he has to trust her and her highly trained golden retriever to keep his son safe. When the boy goes missing, Jonas and Brooke must make peace with their past to find the teen—before increasingly desperate criminals get to him first. Capitol K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners.

Introduction “I hate to ask this, but…” Brooke looked uncomfortable. “What?” Jonas asked. “Your son had a dead woman’s cell phone in his room. Do you think he had anything to do with her death?” Jonas stepped back, her words hurting more than if she’d slapped him. “What? No. Of course not.” He raked a hand through his hair, hating the flash of doubt that raced through him. “No. I mean my son has been getting in some trouble lately, but he’d never hurt—kill—someone over a stupid phone.” She held up a hand. “Just had to ask.” The anger fizzled as fast as it had flamed. “I understand why you might ask that, but no. It’s not possible.” “Then how did the phone wind up under his mattress two months after its owner was found murdered?” * * * CAPITOL K-9 UNIT: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners Protection Detail —Shirlee McCoy, March 2015 Duty Bound Guardian —Terri Reed, April 2015 Trail of Evidence—Lynette Eason, May 2015 Security Breach —Margaret Daley, June 2015 Detecting Danger—Valerie Hansen, July 2015 Proof of Innocence—Lenora Worth, August 2015

About the Author LYNETTE EASON is a bestselling, award-winning author who makes her home in South Carolina with her husband and two teenage children. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and teaching at various writing conferences around the country. She is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). Lynette can often be found online interacting with her readers. You can find her at facebook.com/lynette.eason and on Twitter at @lynetteeason .

Title Page Trail of Evidence Lynette Eason www.millsandboon.co.uk

Epigraph This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. —Romans 9:8

Dedication Dedicated to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank You for giving me the passion to write and to write for You.

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Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

Veterinarian Jonas Parker jerked from his slight doze and lay still in the recliner where he’d crashed only a few minutes earlier shortly after midnight. He’d spent the night treating a longtime client’s Doberman, who’d gotten hit by a car. A few lacerations and a couple of broken bones later, the dog now rested in the kennel at the office and Jonas had come home to get some much-needed rest. Only now he was hearing things. His ears honed in on the noises of his house and he frowned, wondering what had awakened him.

Silence echoed back at him.

Annoyance rushed through him. He’d just gotten relaxed enough to maybe fall asleep, and his house settling had disturbed him. He snorted. Earplugs might be a good investment. He closed his eyes and let out a low breath.

Crash.

Jonas shot into a sitting position as his blood pounded through his veins.

That wasn’t the house settling. Someone was in his house. Upstairs.

Felix! He had to get to Felix, his thirteen-year-old son. He froze, his thoughts scrambling. No. Wait. It was Saturday night. Felix was sleeping over at a friend’s. A flash of relief, then determination made his heart kick up speed.

Who was it? What did the intruder want? Money? Jewelry? Moving as silently as possible, Jonas rose from the recliner and stood, fingers clenching and unclenching at his sides.