Debra Webb: Colby Rebuilt

No one should die a virgin.

Shane took two steps into the bedroom from the en-suite bathroom and stalled.

Mary Jane lay snuggled beneath the covers of his bed. She didn’t say a word. She didn’t have to. The invitation was obvious. His body tightened at the idea.

He crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. “This isn’t a good idea.” The fact that save for the towel he was naked and that she also appeared to be wasn’t helping.

“You might be right,” she allowed. “But it’s my idea and I don’t want to wake up tomorrow wishing I’d had the courage to do what I’d really wanted to…”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debra Webb was born in Scottsboro, Alabama, to parents who taught her that anything is possible if you want it badly enough. She began writing at the age of nine. Eventually, she met and married the man of her dreams, and she tried various occupations, including selling vacuum cleaners and working in a factory, a day-care centre, a hospital and a department store. When her husband joined the military, they moved to Berlin, Germany, and Debra became a secretary in the commanding general’s office. By 1985 they were back in the States and finally moved to Tennessee, to a small town where everyone knows everyone else. With the support of her husband and two beautiful daughters, Debra took up writing again, looking to mystery and movies for inspiration.

You can write to Debra with your comments at PO Box 64, Huntland, Tennessee 37345, USA or visit her website at www.debrawebb.com to find out exciting news about her next book.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Shane Allen– Former US marshal turned Colby Agency investigator. Nothing will stop Shane from getting the job done.

Mary Jane Brooks– Mary Jane will do whatever it takes to solve her sister’s murder.

Victoria Colby-Camp– The head of the Colby Agency. Victoria will see that the mystery of the remains discovered in the rubble of the agency’s former home is solved.

Rebecca Brooks– Her remains have been found nearly one year after her murder.

Detective Brandon Bailen– One of Chicago PD’s finest. He has been working the Brooks case since the beginning.

Anthony Chambers– The CEO of Horizon Software, the man Rebecca Brooks was set to testify against.

Jason Mackey– Musician and cousin to Anthony Chambers.

Special Agent John LeMire– The FBI agent assigned to the Brooks case.

US Marshal Derrick Mitchell– The US marshal assigned to the Brooks case. Shane’s former partner and the reason Shane and his wife divorced.

Jose Torres– Jason Mackey’s best friend.

Teresa Thomas– Jason Mackey’s girlfriend.

Ann Martin– Colby Agency investigator.

DEBRA WEBB

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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To the fans

Chapter One

Mary Jane Brooks understood the news was bad the moment she opened her door and saw the resigned slump of the detective’s shoulders.

“We’ve confirmed that the—” Detective Brandon Bailen, Chicago PD, cleared his throat “—the remains are Rebecca’s.”

Mary Jane’s heart plummeted and her knees weakened. Holding on to the doorframe was all that kept her vertical. “You’re certain there’s no mistake.” She moistened her trembling lips and struggled to hold back the tears. “Labs do make mistakes. I read about—”

“There’s no mistake, Ms. Brooks.”

Rebecca was dead.

On some level Mary Jane had known for a while now that her sister was gone , but hearing the words somehow made it new…made it hurt so badly.

“Thank you, Detective.” Mary Jane managed to draw in a deep, shuddering breath. “Do you know what happened? Was she—” working up the courage to say the word took monumental effort “— murdered? ”

Sympathy softened Bailen’s usually firm expression. He was a tall, thin man with stark features, yet he was the kindest cop she had met during this awful ordeal. “Yes, ma’am, we have reason to believe so.”

Mary Jane closed her eyes. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the details, but how else could she ever know the whole truth? She opened her eyes and looked directly into the detective’s. “How?”

“Massive head trauma.”

The image of a broken and battered skull flashed in her mind. She tightened her hold on the doorframe, her fingers ice cold. “I see.”

But she didn’t see. Her sister hadn’t been in trouble. She had been guilty of nothing more than doing the right thing. Rebecca had told her weeks before she disappeared that she was going to have to take a stand against her employer. She hadn’t elaborated on the specifics, only that the company or the CEO or maybe both were up to something illegal. Rebecca had known she had to do something…the right thing.

Mary Jane had known the situation was far more serious than her sister had related when the federal authorities—FBI as well as the Marshals Service—had called to inquire as to Rebecca’s whereabouts less than forty-eight hours after she had vanished. Now, eleven months later, Mary Jane’s worst fears were confirmed.

There was nothing she could do but bury her only sibling just as she had buried both her parents in the past three months.

Mary Jane was alone. The realization crashed in around her, leaving her shaking in spite of her best efforts to remain stoic.

Her whole family was gone.

“When can I claim her remains?” Mary Jane forced the question past her lips. Seeing that Rebecca had a proper service and burial was the one remaining detail she could attend to for her sister. In all these months one would think that she would have been better prepared for this moment. But she wasn’t. It felt impossible…surreal.

“That may take some time,” Bailen warned, his tone careful. “The FBI is launching a new investigation and, of course, we’ll be coordinating our own with theirs in an effort to get to the bottom of what really happened.”

Mary Jane understood. “You’ll keep me posted?” That seemed like the proper question to ask next in light of the circumstances. She had no idea how this sort of business was handled. Her only experience with criminal investigations was watching television. Surely the authorities kept the family informed.

Dear God. Her sister was dead.

Mary Jane was alone.

“As soon as we know any details,” Bailen promised, “I’ll pass along what I can.”

Her head moved up and down in a motion of agreement, but Mary Jane’s thoughts were churning on the horror evolving in her head. Rebecca running away from her killer…or maybe struggling with him. Him bashing her over the head…once, twice and then again.

“Where?” Mary Jane hadn’t even realized the inquiry had taken shape in her brain until she heard the word echo in the corridor outside her apartment. She should have asked the detective in, she realized belatedly. Instead, she’d stood here in the doorway and listened to the news no one ever wanted to hear.