Joanna Wayne - Behind The Veil

But there was no denying Becca wanted to see Dr. David Bryson. She liked his voice. Or perhaps had been mesmerized by it. Rich, with a whisper of heartbreak.

Now she sounded like a guide giving a spiel to tourists! The simple truth was the man was a recluse who dressed in black and came out of his fortress only at night. And she had agreed to go to his castle like some poor lamb to slaughter.

The only thing to do was call in the morning and back out.

I need you, Becca.

The words slammed into her senses, and her heart thundered in her chest. The voice of David Bryson haunted her. Smooth, mysterious. Seductive.

She’d have to make tomorrow’s visit. If only to satisfy her own curiosity and convince herself that Dr. David Bryson was just a man with no power over her.

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

May holds more mayhem for you in this action-packed month of terrific titles.

Patricia Rosemoor revisits her popular series THE MCKENNA LEGACY in this first of a two-book miniseries. Irishman Curran McKenna has a gift for gentling horses—and the ladies. But Thoroughbred horse owner Jane Grantham refuses to be tamed—especially when she is guarding not only her heart, but secrets that could turn deadly. Will she succumb to this Mysterious Stranger?

Bestselling author Joanna Wayne delivers the final book in our MORIAH’S LANDING in-line continuity series. In Behind the Veil, we finally meet the brooding recluse Dr. David Bryson. Haunted for years by his fiancée’s death, he meets a new woman in town who wants to teach him how to love again. But when she is targeted as a killer’s next victim, David will use any means necessary to make sure that history doesn’t repeat itself.

The Bride and the Mercenary continues Harper Allen’s suspenseful miniseries THE AVENGERS. For two years Ainslie O’Connor believed that the man she’d passionately loved—Seamus Malone—was dead. But then she arrives at her own society wedding, only to find that her dead lover is still alive! Will Seamus’s memory return in time to save them both?

And finally, we are thrilled to introduce a brand-new author—Lisa Childs. You won’t want to miss her very first book Return of the Lawman—with so many twists and turns, it will keep you guessing…and looking for more great stories from her!

Happy reading,

Denise O’Sullivan

Associate Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Special thanks and acknowledgment are given to

Joanna Wayne for her contribution to the

MORIAH’S LANDING series.

Joanna Wayne lives with her husband just a few miles from steamy, exciting New Orleans, but her home is the perfect writer’s hideaway. A lazy bayou, complete with graceful herons, colorful wood ducks and an occasional alligator, winds just below her back garden. When not creating tales of spine-tingling suspense and heartwarming romance, she enjoys reading, traveling, playing golf and spending time with family and friends. Joanna believes that one of the special joys of writing is knowing that her stories have brought enjoyment to or somehow touched the lives of her readers. You can write Joanna at P.O. Box 2851, Harvey, LA 70059-2851.

Becca Smith—She’s intrigued by the mysterious recluse who lives in the castle on top of the cliff, but will her attraction for him lead her into a killer’s trap?

Dr. David Bryson—Tortured by the loss of his beloved fiancée, he lives only to find the man responsible for the tragedy—until he meets Becca Smith.

Marley Glasglow—He’s surly and bitter, and his opinions about David Bryson—none of them good—are set in stone.

Brie, Kat and Elizabeth—New friends of Becca’s who were present the night Claire Cavendish was abducted.

Claire Cavendish—Becca’s friend who is still mentally and emotionally unstable from her abduction and subsequent torture five years ago.

Kevin Pinelle—A happy-go-lucky young fisherman with an eye for the ladies.

Larry Gayle—A young male friend of Becca and Claire who thinks the town would be better off without David Bryson.

Shamus McManus—An old fisherman who knows a lot about what goes on in the wharf area.

Tasha Pierce—David Bryson’s fiancée, who was killed in an explosion on the eve of their wedding.

Geoffrey Pierce—Tasha’s uncle.

Carson Megham—A homicide detective hell-bent on capturing the killer who’s terrifying the citizens of Moriah’s Landing.

About the Author

Cast of Characters

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

To Priscilla Berthiaume for putting together

the idea for this wonderful Gothic series, and to my

friends Amanda Stevens, B.J. Daniels and Dani Sinclair for

being such an agreeable, fun and talented group to work

with. A special thank-you to Dr. David Cavanaugh for

answering my endless questions. And to Wayne, always.

Sweat beaded on the man’s brow as he struggled to drag the lifeless body into the thick clump of bushes and untamed undergrowth. The stench of death punctuated the night air and clogged his nostrils, but he couldn’t leave her like this. The job had to be done exactly according to plan.

Her leg caught on a rock, and he yanked it free, his hand brushing the delicate curve of her ankle as he did. She’d been an easy victim. Weak, innocent, gullible.

So easy. Almost too easy. He’d expected it to be more of a challenge, more satisfying to watch life seep from her body when he’d strangled her, watch blood gush from the two slashes that had severed her arteries. Instead it was over so quickly, he barely had time to appreciate the perfection of his work.

Just like it had been done twenty years ago. And, like twenty years ago, the stupid Moriah’s Landing police would never solve the murders. There had been four then, but only three remained unsolved and attributed to the serial killer. He’d probably stop at three now, as well. Or maybe he wouldn’t stop at all.

He took the knife, ran his gloved fingers along the edge of the blade, and then plunged it once more into the cold, pale flesh.

Easy. Easy. Easy. And perfect. Only one thing left to do. Working meticulously, he carved an M and an L into her abdomen. Something new to make certain everyone knew that McFarland Leary had returned.

Rebecca Smith snipped the emerald thread, laid her scissors on the table and held up the full satin dress for a critical look at the finished garment. The fabric swished as it fell into iridescent folds, catching the glow of the bright overhead lights.

Standing, she held it to her shoulders and took a few twirls around the room. It was the first piece of clothing she’d made for herself in months, but she’d outdone herself this time. The fabric was fabulous, the color rich, the sheen almost glittery.