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The Bullet
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Diane Connors is a dedicated doctor with the world’s biggest secret, a discovery that could have shocking global ramifications. But while conducting private research trials, word has gotten out. The wrong people have heard the news and now want to hide Diane’s achievement for their own ends.
With nowhere else to turn, Diane finds herself on the doorstep of the last man she wants to ask for help: her ex-husband, Joe Quinn. Joe has remarried, and he and his wife, Eve Duncan, seem blissfully happy in their quiet, rural life until they are faced with the challenge of risking it all—even their marriage itself—for the greater good …
Now Eve is trapped in a web of murder and deceit as powerful enemies rush to cover up the truth, determined that Diane’s discovery goes with her to the grave—even if Eve and Joe get buried with her.
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Chapter
1
Nalam Pharmaceutical Warehouse
Manila, the Philippines
Craaak!
The bullet came within an inch of Diane Connorsâs head before it buried itself in the crate beside her.
Shit! She had to get out of here.
Those bastards had taken her completely unaware. No warning. The two security guards were supposed to be gone another five minutes while they completed their rounds of the warehouse. She would have been gone if theyâd just kept to their damn schedule.
She tucked her camera into her jacket, then grabbed a handful of manila files out of the file drawer before she bolted toward the steps leading to the back entrance, where the driver of the truck was waiting for her.
Another shot! This one hit the railing of the steps beside her and ricocheted into the wall ahead of her.
The guards were shouting now, and she heard them cursing and the sound of their boots on the wood floor behind her.
âStop! Iâll blow your head off!â
Why stop? Heâd probably do it anyway, she thought desperately. The Nalam security guards were notorious for not thinking twice about firing on anyone breaking into the property. Sheâd known that when sheâd made the decision.
And they were gaining on her!
She ran faster. Her heart was pounding, threatening to jump out of her chest. The door for the parking lot was just ahead, beyond a row of cardboard cartons.
Two more shots!
She was at the door, jerking it open. The truck was outside in the lot several feet below her, but she didnât bother running down the metal steps.
No time.
She braced herself and then launched her body into the bed of the vehicle. She hit hard.
Pain!
Her shoulderâŠ
âGo, Manos!â she shouted to the driver. âGet the hell out of here!â
Another bullet hit the metal cab of the truck.
She saw two uniformed guards standing at the spot from which sheâd just leaped. They were aiming at her again.
But Manos had almost reached the gates.
Then they were through and on their way toward the pier!
There might be pursuit, but Manos had arranged to have a boat waiting for her. With luck, sheâd be on the high seas by the time those guards reached the pier.
And so far, luck had been with her. Her hand slipped into her jacket pocket to make certain she still had her camera, then tightened on the manila folders sheâd taken from the file cabinet. Sheâd gotten what sheâd come for tonight. She hadnât been shot. She might have a broken or sprained shoulder, but sheâd gladly accept that in exchange for making it to the boat.
Yes, luck was definitely with her, and sheâd soon be on her way to Alon and the islandâŠ
*Â Â *Â Â *
Hakali Island
South Seas
âYour shoulderâs not broken,â Alon said curtly. âJust a bad sprain. Better than you deserve. How did it happen?â
Diane flinched as he finished bandaging her shoulder. It just showed how angry he was that he wasnât being gentle with her. Alon Hakali was never anything but kind to her or anyone else with whom he came in contact. âThe way you warned me it might happen. I got caught trying to steal the file on Kai.â
Alon swore softly but his touch was suddenly no longer rough. âYouâre an idiot, Diane. Youâve come so far, and yet youâd risk everything to get those damn records? I told you to forget about them. They might not tell me anything.â
âAnd they might tell you everything. You told me yourself that they were the only evidence left that might give you a hint of where Nalam stashed Kai. They were important.â She tried to keep her tone light. âBecause I knew it was only a matter of time before you went after those records yourself. They were sitting there in that office like bait for the tiger. Which probably is exactly what it was. Well, they didnât get you and they didnât get me. But there was no way I could forget them.â
âAnd so you broke into that warehouse and tried to steal them. You could have gotten yourself killed. Those contractors who guard Nalamâs properties donât hesitate to shoot first and ask questions later.â
âIâd heard that, and I found out it was true,â she said wryly. âBut Iâd already taken photos of the document and was on my way out of the warehouse when they started to shoot. They only managed to force me to duck a couple of bullets and then brace myself as I jumped into the back of the truck I had waiting.â She smiled. âYou wouldâve been proud of me, Alon.â
âNo, I wouldâve been terrified,â he said soberly. âNalam is a monster, and no one knows that better than I do. You might not have gotten shot, but that doesnât mean there wonât be ramifications. They saw you tonight. That means I might be safer, but you wonât. You knew that would happen, didnât you?â
âI thought there would be a possibility.â She shrugged. âI hired Leo Manos to get me out of Manila. Heâs a professional, but someone might track him down. And there are so many super-duper surveillance gadgets these days, and Nalam certainly has the money to afford them in all his warehouses. I tried to avoid the cameras and disguise myself as much as possible. But one of his cameras might have caught me, and Iâm not that good at disguises. Then thereâs trace evidenceâŠâ She made a face. âYeah, I made a choice. But you shouldnât be so rude as to ignore whatâs important here.â She reached into her backpack and pulled out her camera. âI brought you a gift.â She handed it to him. âNow say, âThank you, Diane.ââ
âThank you, Diane.â He cleared his throat. âEven though itâs much more important to keep you safe than it is me. The first thing Nalam is going to do is find out whatâs missing and then figure out why and who might have done it. No one knew anything about you, but that will change, Diane. We both know that you shouldnât have done this. It was neither wise nor safe.â
She chuckled. âSince when did my decisions ever reflect either one of those qualities? Now stop being so serious. I wanted to do it and itâs done. I didnât take the file itself. I took photos of it and then took a handful of other files so he wouldnât know what I was after. It will be a while before the results catch up with me, so Iâll have time to find a way to take the next step and maybe protect myself along the way.â She got to her feet. âBut not too much time. Consider it a goodbye gift. Iâll be leaving your island tonight. Itâs not safe for you or your people if I donât.â She stood looking at him. She had always thought him the most handsome man she had ever met. He was everything that was tall and strong and golden. He was of Polynesian descent, but that golden glow wasnât only genetic. It came from the soul within. She held out her hand to him. âCome and take a walk with me on the beach, Alon. Iâm not sure when Iâll be able to come back here, and Iâll miss it.â
âItâs only a place, Diane.â He took her hand and walked with her toward the veranda. âI thought Iâd taught you that people are much more important than places.â
âOh, I might miss you, too.â Her voice was unsteady as she added, âRemember that youâre the best friend Iâve ever had, the mentor who taught me, perhaps even the father who was never there for me. But neither of us are that sentimental, are we?â
âYou certainly try not to be. But actions speak louder than words.â He smiled at her. âHowever, it would probably be less emotional for you if you told me where you plan on going after you leave here tonight. You do have a plan, I hope?â
âOf course, as much a one as I could throw together on the way here to the island. Iâm even planning on asking someone to help meâŠif I can talk him into it.â
âThat sounds like you. Brilliant on research and creativity, not so good on keeping your head above water. Who are you planning on trying to persuade?â
She looked away from him into the scarlet of the sunset. It was beautiful and peaceful here, and soon there would be no peace in her life. She was leaving Alon, who had been her bedrock since the bad days, and going where no certainty existed. âYouâve heard me talk about him, but youâve never met him. Iâm going to Hong Kong.â She didnât take her gaze from the sunset, which now seemed to be exploding with all the color and fire that her life held. âIâm going to see Hu Chang.â
*Â Â *Â Â *
Lake Cottage
Atlanta, Georgia
âIâm glad to be back home,â Eve murmured as she cuddled closer to Joe on the porch swing. Her gaze turned to the moon shining down on the lake, the trees of the forest surrounding it like dark protective bastions. Yes, thatâs how sheâd always thought of the cottage. A serene bastion, a place to come back to and recover from all the battles of life. A place of healing, home, love, family. She felt as if she could reach out and touch it all at this moment. Theyâd only arrived here this afternoon and had been so busy settling in after the long trip that this was the first time sheâd had the opportunity to really appreciate the fact that they were here at last. She glanced up at Joe. âWe were gone too long. Africa was too far away. I know that job in Maldara was entirely my fault, and I canât be sorry that I accepted the chance to bring those poor kids back home to their families. But will you promise to remind me how I feel right now if I ever tell you I want to go any farther than to Michaelâs school for one of his soccer games?â
âYou bet I will.â He lifted her chin and kissed her. âNot that it will probably do me any good. We live in the real world, not some far-off planet. Itâs big and sometimes scary and youâve never dodged facing it even when Iâve begged you to turn your back.â
She frowned. âYouâve never begged me.â
âHavenât I? Maldara came pretty close.â He shrugged. âAnd I think youâve forgotten a few of the other times because I let you forget. Maybe I couldnât bear to make you choose.â
âWhat?â She sat up and looked at him. âWhatâs this about? Youâd always come first. You know that, Joe. After all the years weâve been together, youâd better know that.â
âBut it wasnât always like that and perhaps I have a few lingering memoriesâŠâ He suddenly threw back his head and laughed as he saw her expression. âJust thought Iâd make this a moment to remember for both of us. I like the idea of you never wanting to leave here again.â
âWhat lingering memories?â
He shook his head. âI was joking. Iâm not going to go in that direction when youâre so happy at being home. The only lingering memories I have are good ones that tell me what a lucky guy I am to have you and Michael back here again.â
She settled down against him again. âDamn you. But itâs funny you came up with that nonsense just now. Did something upset you? You havenât said practically anything since you and Michael got back from checking out the boathouse after dinner. Did you find something wrong there?â
He shook his head. âJust as we left it. I didnât expect anything else since I had the guys at the precinct check it out once a week from the time we left. Michael canât wait to get out on the water again. I told him weâd go right after breakfast tomorrow. Are you coming?â
âProbably not. I have several texts to answer that I put off while I was in Maldara.â She wrinkled her nose. âThe last one I received was a little pushy, so I imagine Iâll be receiving a skull to reconstruct by FedEx sometime this week. I probably canât put it off.â
âYouâd be bored out of your mind if you didnât have something to work on. We both know it.â He tilted his head. âBut I donât like that it was pushy. Donât they realize youâre probably the foremost forensic sculptor in the world and they should treat you with respect?â His lips tightened. âMaybe youâd like me to tell them?â
âIt might not send the right signal if I sic the cops on them. Particularly not my cop.â Her eyes were twinkling. âIt might create an international incident. We keep having immigration disputes with Mexico.â She added gravely, âAnd I wouldnât want to have to fly down there to make my apologies. My Spanish isnât that good.â
âMexico?â he asked warily.
She was chuckling. âAnd no, the job is not in Mexico. The government is just requesting my help with a reconstruction of the skull of a citizen found buried out in Nevada.â
âNevada.â He made a weighing motion. âMexico. I thought I might have to invoke the promise I made you. But I might be able to accept the wide-open spaces of Nevada.â
âI donât know if I can. Iâll probably just have them send the skull here and make my report.â She threw her hand out in an expansive gesture that included the lake, the forest, and everything else in view. âLike I said, Iâve missed this, Joe.â
âSo have I.â He was silent a moment. âI got a call from my captain when I was down at the boathouse with Michael. Heâs had a request from Quantico to lend me to them on a special service detail.â
âThatâs happened before.â But her smile was fading. âYou have connections everywhere. You were FBI before you became a detective with ATLPD. Everyone knows how sharp you are, Joe.â
âThis soundedâŠdifferent. I didnât get the impression it was a routine request.â He grimaced. âAnd the last thing I want is to become involved with something thatâs going to take me away from you and Michael right now.â
âThen tell them no,â she said. âAfter all, I gave up Mexico for you. You can tell the FBI to get someone else, canât you?â
He nodded slowly.
Of course he could, Eve thought. But Joe was a former SEAL besides being ex-FBI and probably the most patriotic man she knew. It would never be easy for him to say no if his country needed him. He was as bound by his duty and code as she was by her own. âOkay, letâs compromise. You talk to the FBI, and unless some sleazebag is going to blow up something irreplaceable, you stay home with Michael and me. Is it a deal?â
He grinned. âItâs a deal.â
âGood.â She kissed him and got to her feet. âThen Iâm going to go say good night to Michael. You go to bed and wait for me.â
âDelighted.â His brows rose quizzically. âAny particular reason?â
âIâve got to make sure your judgment isnât clouded when you make that decision. I donât mind losing out to some scumbag terrorist if itâs a fair fight.â She headed for the porch door. âBut I guarantee before this night is over, all night, youâll know youâve been in a battle. Youâll make sure that whatever the FBI wants you to do is worth it.â
She heard him laugh as she closed the door behind her.
There was a lingering smile on Eveâs own lips as she crossed the living room and started down the hall toward Michaelâs room. Laughter, love, family: The concepts existed wherever they were, but here there were also memories and that was precious. âTime for bed. Did you take your shower, Michael?â she called. âI heard you on the computer talking to Tomas before I went out on the porch. You have to remember thereâs a five-hour time difference from his hospital in Scotland.â
âI took my shower before I got on the phone.â He was sitting on his bed with legs crossed, dressed in his blue striped pajamas. She noticed that he was starting to outgrow them. He was only ten years old, but heâd had a growth spurt since sheâd bought them four months ago. His mahogany-colored hair was slightly mussed, and he was grinning at her. âI didnât know how long it would take to get Tomas used to Skype. Neither he nor his mother have ever used computers before. But I thought it important they start right away. Isnât that right? Theyâre going to be lonely now that we canât visit them for a while.â He put his computer on his bedside table. âI told Tomas that Dad and I were going out in the boat tomorrow and that when he came to visit, weâd take him and his mom on the lake.â
âThat wonât be soon,â she reminded him quietly. âThe doctors said it might take several surgeries before theyâd release Tomas from the hospital.â The reminder wasnât really necessary, she knew. It had been Michael who had been instrumental in helping to save that little boy after heâd been savagely tortured by the monster who had fathered him. âHeâll get well eventually, but it might take longer than weâd like.â
âThatâs why I have to make certain he knows it will happen someday,â he said simply. âI know you and Dad and Jane are taking care of everything you can with all those doctors and therapists, but he has to know whatâs waiting for him when itâs over.â
âHope?â she asked gently.
âSure.â His expression was sober. âThatâs what you do, Mom. Whenever you do a reconstruction on a skull and bring that person back to the people who love them, youâre giving them hope.â
âAm I?â
âYou know you are.â His forehead was wrinkled in thought. âYouâre giving them back the memories they had. Youâre giving them the hope that there might be something beyond those memories if they look hard enough. If they try hard enough.â
âReally?â She had to clear her throat. âYouâve evidently thought this through. And do you think there is something out there beyond those memories?â
âOf course. We both know that.â He met her eyes. âBonnie is there, and so much more.â
Bonnie, Eveâs daughter who had died when she was seven years old. He had mentioned her to Eve before, but that had been a long time ago. She had known from the day he was born that Michael was very special and had psychic gifts no one else possessed. It had proved to be both a difficulty and a blessing the older he became. Yet she would never give up one iota of what made him who he was. âYes, so much moreâŠâ She reached over and turned off his lamp. âGood night, Michael.â She gave him a hug and a kiss on the forehead. âIâll see you for a late breakfast when you and your dad get back tomorrow morning.â
âThatâs right.â He yawned before he cuddled down under his covers. âYouâve got that Mexican guy, whoâs not reallyâŠâ
âWhat?â
âNever mind. It doesnât matter right nowâŠâ
âBe sure and tell me when it does matter,â she said dryly as she got to her feet. She wasnât going to worry about it right now. Michael had probably mentally picked up on what sheâd told Joe about Mexico and Nevada. It wasnât the first time and wouldnât be the last. âAnd weâll call Tomasâs doctor tomorrow and see how heâs doing.â
âGood.â He nestled into his pillow. âBut I think heâs okay. Iâll keep checking on himâŠâ
She knew he would, she thought as she closed the door. Tomas was designated as both Michaelâs friend and a mission, and he would never be forgotten while the boy needed him. How lucky she was to have a son like Michael.
âThe kid okay?â Joe was lying in bed as she came into the room. His arms were beneath his head and he was smiling. âI believe itâs a yes. Youâve got that mushy look on your face.â
âMaybe itâs for you.â She pulled her nightshirt over her head and threw it aside. âLetâs see if it is.â She slipped in bed and crawled over to him. âI think it might be.â She could feel her heart start to race as she stared down at him. Lord, he was gorgeous. Even after all these years together she never got tired of looking at him. The same mahogany hair Michael possessed, the amber-tea-colored eyes, the muscular chest, and the tension that she knew would explode the instant they came together. Along with everything else between them, that wild attraction had always been there almost from the beginning. âNo, itâs not mushy, itâs pure erotic sex. If you decide thatâs okay with you.â
âIt just might be okay.â He pulled her down on top of him. âSince you got me so hot, I practically ran back here when you made me that promise.â He was sinking deep inside her. âAll night?â
She couldnât breathe. Deep. So deep. She already wanted to scream. âAll nightâŠâ
*Â Â *Â Â *
Atlanta Airport
11:40 P.M.
âYou must be Catherine Ling? Iâm Diane Connors. Thank you for coming to meet me.â The woman coming down the gateway toward Catherine smiled wryly. âThough you probably didnât have a choice. Hu Chang can be very determined. Were you able to obtain the information Hu Chang asked you to get for me?â
âYes, Eveâs at the Lake Cottage,â Catherine said curtly. âBut it wasnât so much a request for information as an order, wasnât it?â She led Diane Connors down the escalator toward the baggage claim. âEve, Joe, and their son arrived back there this afternoon. According to Joeâs captain, itâs supposed to be an extended stay unless Quinn agrees to go to Quantico as requested. Is that what you wanted to know?â
âThatâs what I wanted to knowâŠfor now.â Diane Connors smiled. âThank you. I know you didnât want to give me any more information than you had to. I thought for a minute that you might refuse entirely. Why didnât you?â
âI was tempted. I donât like this.â Catherineâs tone was cold. âIâm doing what I promised to do, but Iâm not going to wait until you walk out of this airport before I learn whatâs happening. Youâre traveling under an assumed name, and your ID must also be bogus. And when I called to get that information from Langley you wanted, I could tell it was sending up red flags.â
Diane Connorsâs gaze flew to Catherineâs face. âWhat kind of red flags?â
âMild, but significant. You tell me. I could see that the only reason that I wasnât transferred to be questioned more thoroughly is that Iâm down as a close friend of Eveâs family, and all I was asking was where they were presently located. Iâll probably hear more about it later. Iâm CIA, and although they told me what I wanted to know, I was ordered to cooperate with both the FBI and the ATLPD if they requested my services or information regarding Eveâs family.â She added coolly, âItâs obvious whatever youâre doing might involve Eve in a major criminal case category.â
âIt would seem so, wouldnât it?â She was frowning. Then she shook her head. âBut I donât believe that was a red flag, merely an alert to keep an eye on Eve because she might turn into a key player. I think itâs still safe for me to see her.â
âReally? Since I donât know what the hell is happening, Iâm not about to accept the judgment of a woman who might be a criminal herself.â
âI can see why youâre suspicious, and Iâll try to tell you as much as is safe.â Then Diane shook her head. âFirst, Iâm not a criminal. Iâm what you might call a person of interest.â She suddenly chuckled. âI can see how frustrated you are and Iâm sorry that I had to bring you into my particular nightmare. Iâm sure youâd have promptly called your CIA gurus and squealed on me when you got that red flag if it hadnât been Hu Chang who had called you and requested you give me what I wanted. Was he very insistent?â
âNo, heâs never insistent. Heâs just Hu Chang.â
Genre:
- "There's no one like Iris Johansen!"âTess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author
- "A master storyteller, Iris Johansen brings characters to life like no other."âRobert Dugoni, New York Times bestselling author
- "Dive into the explosive world of Iris Johansen, where villains get exactly what they deserve and the good guys - eventually - win the day. That's a world I want to live in!"âTami Hoag, #1 New York Times bestselling author
- "Johansen keeps readers on the edge of their seats."âBooklist
- "Just by seeing the Iris Johansen name....you know [it] will be an explosive, unforgettable story."âSuspense Magazine
- "A best-selling writer whose talent is out of this world."âSan Francisco Book Review
- "Readers who have followed the amazing emotional, spiritual and physical journey that forensic sculptor Eve Duncan has undergone know just how truly great this series is... Johansen is a spellbinding storyteller and in a class by herself!"âRT Book Reviews
- On Sale
- Jan 25, 2022
- Page Count
- 432 pages
- Publisher
- Grand Central Publishing
- ISBN-13
- 9781538713181
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