Leona Karr - Innocent Witness

“Deanna.”

Every nerve in her body was suddenly awakened. Her heart quickened. Ever since they’d danced together, her imagination had worked overtime on all the seductive things he might say to her in a raw sweep of desire.

He said softly, “I want you to know that you are the most remarkable woman I’ve ever met.”

Remarkable? Remarkable? Deanna turned the word over in her mind as a kind of hysterical laughter caught in her throat. Not devastating. Not appealing. Not sexy. Not charming. Just remarkable. This definitely wasn’t the kind of compliment she’d hoped for from a man who had turned her romantic fantasies upside down.

She managed a brittle smile. “And I think you’re very upstanding, Dr. Sherman.”

“Upstanding?” he echoed.

Two could play at this game. “And I admire you because you’re ethical, and principled, and honorable, and—”

She never finished, because in one swift movement he pulled her to him and his mouth came down on hers and took her breath with a long, questing kiss.

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

Sunscreen, a poolside lounge—and Harlequin Intrigue: the perfect recipe for great summer escapes!

This month’s sizzling selection begins with The Stranger Next Door (#573) by Joanna Wayne, the second in her RANDOLPH FAMILY TIES miniseries. Langley Randolph is the kind of Texan who can’t resist a woman in trouble. Can he help unlock a beautiful stranger’s memories…before a killer catches up with her first?

Little Penny Drake is an Innocent Witness (#574) to a murder in this suspenseful yet tender story by Leona Karr. The child’s desperate mother, Deanna, seeks the help of Dr. Steve Sherman. Can Steve unlock her daughter’s secrets…and Deanna’s heart?

Dr. Jonas Shades needs a woman to play his wife. Cathlynn O’Connell is the perfect candidate, but with time running out, he has no choice but to blackmail his bride. Each minute in Jonas’s presence brings Cathlynn closer to understanding her enigmatic “husband” and closer to danger! Don’t miss Blackmailed Bride (#575) by Sylvie Kurtz.

Bestselling Harlequin American Romance author Tina Leonard joins Harlequin Intrigue with a story of spine-tingling suspense and dramatic romance. She’s created the small town of Crookseye Canyon, Texas, as the backdrop for A Man of Honor (#576). Cord Greer must marry his brother’s woman to keep her and her unborn baby safe. But is it fear that drives Tessa Draper into Cord’s arms, or is it something more than Cord had hoped for?

Indulge yourself and find out this summer—and all year long!

Sincerely,

Denise O’Sullivan

Associate Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

Innocent Witness

Leona Karr

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Leona Karr loves to read and write, and her favorite books are romantic suspense. Every book she writes is an exciting discovery as she finds the right combination of romance and intrigue. She has authored over thirty novels, many of which, like Innocent Witness, are set in her home state, Colorado. When she’s not reading and writing, she thoroughly enjoys spoiling her eight beautiful granddaughters.

HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE

120—TREASURE HUNT

144—FALCON’S CRY

184—HIDDEN SERPENT

227—FLASHPOINT

262—CUPID’S DAGGER

309—BODYGUARD

366—THE CHARMER

459—FOLLOW ME HOME

487—MYSTERY DAD

574—INNOCENT WITNESS

Deanna Drake—Her husband was murdered and her daughter hasn’t spoken since. She needs a miracle.

Dr. Steve Sherman—The noted child psychologist is known for performing miracles.

Penny Drake—The secrets locked in the four-year-old’s mind may be dangerous to all.

Travis Sherman—Steve’s seven-year-old son appoints himself Penny’s protector.

Bob Anderson—He’s Deanna’s right-hand man—how badly does he want to be more?

Sheriff Janson—He’s convinced Deanna knows more than she’s saying, and he won’t take what she does say seriously.

Dillon—What does the crusty bartender know about Deanna’s husband’s clandestine activities?

Maude Beaker—The gruff cook won’t stand for anyone messing in her kitchen. Is she trying to keep people at a distance?

Susan Whitcomb—Penny’s nanny makes clandestine meetings of her own after hours.

Jeffery—The hotel desk clerk jealously guards his relationship with Susan.

Roger—The ex-ski bum is another suitor for Susan’s hand.

Hobo—The dog seems to understand Penny’s unspoken communications.

With love to Dorothy McClane, a special friend, good neighbor and loyal fan.

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

Night shadows rippled in the waters of the lake and flickered through the needled branches of tall ponderosa pine trees standing at the back of the mountain hotel. A small girl, wandering sleepily onto her second-floor balcony, heard murmuring voices and saw two men walking toward a stone wall at the edge of the water. As the child recognized her father, she leaned against the railing and called out to him, but her voice was lost in the muffled sound of gunshot. Her father slumped to the ground, and in paralyzed terror, the little girl watched as the man dragged Papa by the legs into the darkness of encroaching trees.

Dr. Steve Sherman touched the button on his intercom and alerted his secretary that he was ready for his next patient. As an attractive fair-haired woman and a little girl about four years old opened the door and came in, he walked toward them and offered his hand.

“Steve Sherman. I’m glad to meet you, Mrs. Drake.”

“My pleasure, Doctor,” she responded politely. She had arresting blue eyes that regarded him rather coolly under thick, crescent-shaped eyelashes.

“And this pretty little girl must be Penny?” Steve smiled down at the blond, curly-headed child who was staring at him with unblinking eyes. Her posture was stiff, guarded, and the little girl’s tiny fingers visibly tightened on her mother’s hand.

The child had been referred to him by the Colorado Children’s Mental Health Clinic, and the unusual circumstances that had triggered her emotional withdrawal intrigued him. As a well-known child psychologist specializing in children’s trauma, Steve had gained a reputation as an authority on using play therapy as a means of defining and releasing emotional conflicts in children.

He’d carefully read the thick case-study file on the little girl, verifying that since the death of her father four months earlier, Penny Drake’s behavior had become erratic, defensive and antisocial, a complete reversal from the happy, outgoing child she had been before the tragedy. Without any promise of taking the case, he’d agreed to an initial interview with the child and her mother.

Ignoring the way Penny turned her head away and refused to make eye contact with him, Steve said warmly, “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Penny.”

No response.

“Thank you, Doctor, for seeing us on such short notice.” Deanna answered politely, while at the same time trying to control her disappointment. Dr. Steve Sherman was not at all what Deanna had expected or hoped for. The casually dressed doctor looked more like he belonged on a golf course than in the office treating children who desperately needed help. He wore a polo shirt, open at the neck, allowing glimpses of chest hair that matched the slightly curling reddish-brown shocks of hair falling over his forehead. Tan slacks and loafers added to the youthful look, and Deanna guessed him to be in his early thirties. Her heart sank. She had expected a much older man. She desperately needed someone who was professionally competent and serious about helping her little girl.