Mary Ellen Porter - Into Thin Air

THE ONLY WITNESS

When a child is abducted in front of Laney Kensington, she desperately tries to save the girl. But Laney is shot and left for dead; the kidnappers, their dark van and the girl long gone. FBI agent Grayson DeMarco explains she’s the only witness to a worldwide child-trafficking ring. And if the kidnappers discover she’s alive, they’ll be back to finish the job. Yet Laney is determined to find the missing children. Even if it means returning to the search and rescue work she thought she’d left behind. And Grayson is just as determined to keep his sole witness protected. Especially when evidence hints that the real threat is closer than he ever imagined…

Was someone there? Laney wondered, a chill racing up her spine.

She grabbed her cell phone, hands shaking as she found Grayson’s number and dialed. He picked up on the first ring.

“Grayson?” Laney whispered, her voice trembling. “The dogs are growling, and I thought I saw a shadow pass by my window.” She paused, listening.

“I’m on my way,” Grayson said. “Stay away from the windows. Call 9-1-1, wake up Rose and turn on every light in the house.”

“Okay, I’ll do that now…” A muffled thud interrupted her, followed by a sudden shout from down the hall.

Aunt Rose!

“Oh no,” she gasped, dropping her phone as she launched herself from the bed with a yell. “I’m coming, Aunt Rose!”

Heart in her throat, she ran toward the door, grabbing her mace from the dresser and rushing down the hall, the dogs at her heels. Flinging the guest-room door open, she barged into the room, mace at the ready, prepared for the worst.

The window was wide-open, screen missing. The curtains flapped in the breeze. Bright silver light illuminated the room.

And a man. Dressed in dark clothing and wearing a ski mask.

MARY ELLEN PORTER’s love of storytelling was solidified in fifth grade when she was selected to read her first children’s story to a group of kindergartners. From then on, she knew she’d be a writer. When not working, Mary Ellen enjoys reading and spending time with her family and search-dog-in-training. She’s a member of Chesapeake Search Dogs, a volunteer search and rescue team that helps bring the lost and missing home.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Many are the plans in a man’s heart,

but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

—Proverbs 19:21

To Eldridge, for always believing in me, even when I doubted myself. Your love, support and unfailing encouragement are the foundation of all my achievements.

To my children, Skylar and Trey. No mother could be more proud than I am of you; you make me smile every day. May you find God’s special purpose for your lives within your hopes and dreams.

And to my sister, Shirlee McCoy, whose ten years of persistent and “gentle” prodding resulted in this book. Smart. Talented. Tenacious. Stubborn. A definite combination for success. It’s finally my turn to say “Me, too.” Thank you for never letting me forget my dreams. This one’s for you.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text THE ONLY WITNESS When a child is abducted in front of Laney Kensington, she desperately tries to save the girl. But Laney is shot and left for dead; the kidnappers, their dark van and the girl long gone. FBI agent Grayson DeMarco explains she’s the only witness to a worldwide child-trafficking ring. And if the kidnappers discover she’s alive, they’ll be back to finish the job. Yet Laney is determined to find the missing children. Even if it means returning to the search and rescue work she thought she’d left behind. And Grayson is just as determined to keep his sole witness protected. Especially when evidence hints that the real threat is closer than he ever imagined…

Introduction Was someone there? Laney wondered, a chill racing up her spine. She grabbed her cell phone, hands shaking as she found Grayson’s number and dialed. He picked up on the first ring. “Grayson?” Laney whispered, her voice trembling. “The dogs are growling, and I thought I saw a shadow pass by my window.” She paused, listening. “I’m on my way,” Grayson said. “Stay away from the windows. Call 9-1-1, wake up Rose and turn on every light in the house.” “Okay, I’ll do that now…” A muffled thud interrupted her, followed by a sudden shout from down the hall. Aunt Rose! “Oh no,” she gasped, dropping her phone as she launched herself from the bed with a yell. “I’m coming, Aunt Rose!” Heart in her throat, she ran toward the door, grabbing her mace from the dresser and rushing down the hall, the dogs at her heels. Flinging the guest-room door open, she barged into the room, mace at the ready, prepared for the worst. The window was wide-open, screen missing. The curtains flapped in the breeze. Bright silver light illuminated the room. And a man. Dressed in dark clothing and wearing a ski mask.

About the Author MARY ELLEN PORTER ’s love of storytelling was solidified in fifth grade when she was selected to read her first children’s story to a group of kindergartners. From then on, she knew she’d be a writer. When not working, Mary Ellen enjoys reading and spending time with her family and search-dog-in-training. She’s a member of Chesapeake Search Dogs, a volunteer search and rescue team that helps bring the lost and missing home.

Title Page Into Thin Air Mary Ellen Porter www.millsandboon.co.uk

Epigraph Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. —Proverbs 19:21

Dedication To Eldridge, for always believing in me, even when I doubted myself. Your love, support and unfailing encouragement are the foundation of all my achievements. To my children, Skylar and Trey. No mother could be more proud than I am of you; you make me smile every day. May you find God’s special purpose for your lives within your hopes and dreams. And to my sister, Shirlee McCoy, whose ten years of persistent and “gentle” prodding resulted in this book. Smart. Talented. Tenacious. Stubborn. A definite combination for success. It’s finally my turn to say “Me, too.” Thank you for never letting me forget my dreams. This one’s for you.

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

TWENTY-ONE

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

It was a passing glimpse, no more. A young teen walking slowly along the edge of the darkening side street, a violin case tucked in the crook of her arm, her face illuminated by her cell phone screen as she furiously texted, aware of nothing but the phone in her hand.

The van made even less of an impression, the driver all but invisible as the vehicle passed Laney Kensington’s Jeep Wrangler.

Both should have been easy to ignore, but they nagged at Laney’s mind—made the hair on the back of her neck prickle. Laney told herself it was just her imagination getting the best of her—but she couldn’t simply drive on.