Kathleen Long - A Necessary Risk

Once again, her image flashed across Zach’s mind. All buttoned up and drop-dead gorgeous.

Something stirred deep inside him, but he tamped down the sensation, shoving it far, far away.

He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had turned his head, but he wasn’t about to let Jessica Parker do so now.

He had to focus on his brother, on clearing Jim’s name and shutting down the clinical trial. For that he needed Jessica Parker the scientist.

Zach had to ignore any unwanted thoughts about Jessica Parker the woman.

And he would.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For Annie, the most unexpected—and wonderful—

blessing of my life. Thank you for reminding me that

dreams really do come true. I love you.

After a career spent spinning words for clients ranging from corporate CEOs to talking fruits and vegetables, Kathleen now finds great joy spinning a world of fictional characters, places and plots. Having decided to pursue her writing goals when her first daughter taught her that life is short and dreams are for chasing, Kathleen is now an award-winning author of breathtaking romantic suspense for the Harlequin Intrigue line.

A RIO Award of Excellence winner and a National Readers Choice, Booksellers Best and Holt Medallion nominee, her greatest reward can be found in the letters and e-mails she receives from her readers. Nothing makes her happier than knowing one of her stories has provided a few hours of escape and enjoyment, offering a chance to forget about life for a little while.

Along with her husband, infant daughter and one very neurotic sheltie, Kathleen divides her time between suburban Philadelphia and the New Jersey seashore, where she can often be found hands on keyboard—bare toes in sand—spinning tales. After all, life doesn’t get much better than that.

Please visit her at www.kathleenlong.com or drop her a line at P.O. Box 3864, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.

Jessica Parker—She’s a lead researcher at New Horizon, a large clinical research facility. When the lifesaving drug trial under her supervision presents with dangerous side effects, will she accept the necessary risk, or will she fight to keep the drug from going on the market?

Zachary Thomas—His younger brother Jim committed suicide while a participant in the most recent Whitman Pharma drug trial. He’s vowed to do whatever it takes to expose the truth—including tapping Jessica Parker.

Scott McLaughlin—He once led the Whitman Pharma trial before abruptly leaving the company. Was he falsifying study results, or is he a whistleblower with just the information Jessica and Zach need to expose the truth?

David Hansen—He’s the holder of the magic key—the encoding information for the Whitman clinical trial. Will he help Jessica match the names of victims to participants, or will he alert the guilty parties that she needs to be silenced?

Miles Van Cleef—The head of New Horizon, he’s dedicated his life to pursuing the safe and ethical development of new pharmaceuticals. But now he’s faced with a tough choice—helping Jessica uncover the truth or doing whatever it takes to protect his company. Which will he choose?

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

Epilogue

Jim Thomas pivoted slowly on one heel, frantically scanning the wall of his dorm room, searching for something—anything—familiar.

Framed photos assaulted his senses, distorted faces taunting, haunting. Their voices jockeyed for position inside his brain, screaming, threatening. He pressed his palms to either side of his head and squeezed.

Who were they?

Why wouldn’t they stop?

His gaze landed on a calendar and he recognized his own handwriting. His room. He must be in his dorm room. Familiar surroundings. Safe.

Maybe the voices were a dream.

A very bad dream.

Maybe he’d wake up any moment now and the voices would be gone. The pain would be gone.

For a split second, a teasing sense of calm whispered through him before the unrelenting paranoia and dread took over once more.

Jim’s chest ached and he struggled to draw in a breath, struggled to slow the racing beat of his heart. He opened his mouth to scream, but he couldn’t speak, couldn’t call out for help, his throat tight with fear and panic.

The pressure inside his head continued to build, becoming so intense he wished his brain would blow apart to end the agony.

Jim squeezed his hands harder against his skull and turned aimlessly. He bounced off the wall, then reached for the bed but staggered, losing his balance and slamming into the opposite wall.

He slid down the length of the cold plaster, fingers tracing the worn paint until they bumped up against the edge of the sliding glass door.

He sank to the floor momentarily but pulled himself up, using every ounce of strength in his body to will his legs to support his weight.

His heavy, bone-weary weight.

Heavy head.

Heavy heart.

Heavy life.

Jim sagged again but hooked one hand through the door handle, holding tight. The latch gave way and the door slid wide, opening to the pathetic patch of concrete the school called a private balcony.

He laughed through the pain, amazed he could remember the housing lottery, amazed how important winning this balcony had once seemed.

Now all he cared about was the pain.

The head-banging, excruciating pain that pulsated through his head. Minute after minute. Day after day.

The voices sounded again, urging him forward, promising him the pain would stop if only he listened.

He stumbled onto the balcony, welcoming the caress of the crisp autumn air against his face.

He gripped the railing and leaned over, studying the sidewalk below. The concrete drew a lazy pattern of curves through the carefully trimmed grass and the perfectly sculptured gardens. A group of students walking below laughed, no doubt consumed by the idiocy of college life.

They looked perfect. They sounded perfect.

Damned perfect.

Jim stepped up onto the bottom rail. First one foot. Then the other.

His headed pounded now as if his brain no longer fit inside his skull and pressed to break through. He looked to the sky and balanced, hoping the pain would ease. Hoping the pounding would stop.

But it never did.

The voices.

He had no choice now but to listen to the voices.

Jim stepped up onto the second rail and leaned forward, welcoming the rush of air against his face as he fell, arms spread wide.

He soared.

He flew.

He eagerly anticipated the imminent release from the pain, and as the ground rushed at him, Jim smiled.

At last.

Six weeks later

Nervous anticipation wound its way through Jessica Parker as she waited for Miles Van Cleef to introduce her to those gathered. She’d waited for this moment for a very long time. Years, to be precise.

Her newest promotion had been timed perfectly for today’s media showcase. New Horizon held the event twice each year to tout their latest clinical trials and keep community support strong for their work.