Sharon Dunn - Cold Case Justice

RUNNING FOR HER LIFE

After witnessing the murder of her child’s father, Rochelle Miller flees. Ten years later, she and her son are still on the run. Now, the killer has tracked them to Montana and will do anything to silence Rochelle. When he gets too close, Rochelle is seriously injured, and EMT Matthew Stewart is the first responder on the scene. He vows to protect her, but it’s not just her life on the line. Rochelle and her son have only ever counted on each other. Are they ready to rely on someone new when their future is at stake?

“What if the police say that there is no reason to provide protection?” Rochelle asked.

Again, Matthew wondered exactly what she was up against. She looked as though she might cry. Compassion flooded through him. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. I’ll stay with you now. You need to focus on your recovery.”

She looked up at him for a long moment, probably trying to figure out why he was going to all this trouble. “Can I have your phone, so I can call my son? I need to know that he’s okay.”

He placed the phone in her hand. “Everything is going to be all right. I’ll see to it that you get well so you can take care of that kid of yours. It would help if you told me why these men are after you—”

Matthew heard the thud of a single footstep. The blow to the back of his head caused an explosion in his brain.

The last thing he heard as his cheek collided with the floor was Rochelle’s anguished scream.

SHARON DUNN

has always loved writing, but didn’t decide to write for publication until she was expecting her first baby. Pregnancy makes you do crazy things. Three kids, many articles and two mystery series later, she still hasn’t found her sanity. Her books have won awards, including a Book of the Year award from American Christian Fiction Writers. She was also a finalist for an RT Book Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year Award.

Sharon has performed in theater and church productions, has degrees in film production and history, and worked for many years as a college tutor and instructor. Despite the fact that her résumé looks as if she couldn’t decide what she wanted to be when she grew up, all the education and experience have played a part in helping her write good stories.

When she isn’t writing or taking her kids to activities, she reads, plays board games and contemplates organizing her closet. You can reach Sharon through her website, www.sharondunnbooks.net.

Cold Case Justice

Sharon Dunn

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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For I am the Lord, your God,

who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

— Isaiah 41:13

This book is dedicated to all the women and men who work tirelessly to help teen moms have a fighting chance in life.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text RUNNING FOR HER LIFE After witnessing the murder of her child’s father, Rochelle Miller flees. Ten years later, she and her son are still on the run. Now, the killer has tracked them to Montana and will do anything to silence Rochelle. When he gets too close, Rochelle is seriously injured, and EMT Matthew Stewart is the first responder on the scene. He vows to protect her, but it’s not just her life on the line. Rochelle and her son have only ever counted on each other. Are they ready to rely on someone new when their future is at stake?

Introduction “What if the police say that there is no reason to provide protection?” Rochelle asked. Again, Matthew wondered exactly what she was up against. She looked as though she might cry. Compassion flooded through him. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. I’ll stay with you now. You need to focus on your recovery.” She looked up at him for a long moment, probably trying to figure out why he was going to all this trouble. “Can I have your phone, so I can call my son? I need to know that he’s okay.” He placed the phone in her hand. “Everything is going to be all right. I’ll see to it that you get well so you can take care of that kid of yours. It would help if you told me why these men are after you—” Matthew heard the thud of a single footstep. The blow to the back of his head caused an explosion in his brain. The last thing he heard as his cheek collided with the floor was Rochelle’s anguished scream.

About the Author SHARON DUNN has always loved writing, but didn’t decide to write for publication until she was expecting her first baby. Pregnancy makes you do crazy things. Three kids, many articles and two mystery series later, she still hasn’t found her sanity. Her books have won awards, including a Book of the Year award from American Christian Fiction Writers. She was also a finalist for an RT Book Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year Award. Sharon has performed in theater and church productions, has degrees in film production and history, and worked for many years as a college tutor and instructor. Despite the fact that her résumé looks as if she couldn’t decide what she wanted to be when she grew up, all the education and experience have played a part in helping her write good stories. When she isn’t writing or taking her kids to activities, she reads, plays board games and contemplates organizing her closet. You can reach Sharon through her website, www.sharondunnbooks.net .

Title Page Cold Case Justice Sharon Dunn www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. — Isaiah 41:13

Dedication This book is dedicated to all the women and men who work tirelessly to help teen moms have a fighting chance in life.

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

EPILOGUE

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Excerpt

Copyright

ONE

Rochelle Miller stopped dead in her tracks when she spotted Elwood Corben across the wide corridor of the courthouse where she worked. She took in a deep breath to clear her head as her anxiety level skyrocketed. Why, after ten years, had the man she’d fled Seattle over shown up in Montana? It couldn’t be coincidence. Elwood Corben had hunted her down. But why now, after all this time?

Elwood was speaking to a police officer, their heads bent close together in a very cozy way. She thought to slip into a room before he saw her, but fear paralyzed her. Elwood caught her staring, grinned at her and walked across the corridor. Each of his footsteps seemed to crush her further into the floor.

His face was all teeth and narrow snakelike eyes. His dyed hair couldn’t hide that he was a man past sixty. “Megan, how good to see you.”

Even changing her first and last name hadn’t kept him away. He must have hired a detective to find her. She’d thought she’d been careful in covering her tracks, but she’d been only sixteen when she’d run from him and hadn’t had the resources or know-how to do a thorough job in changing her identity.