Extract from the PROLOGUE
FOUR YEARS AGO
The heat was even more scorching than usual. It wasn’t a
surprise to the special army team whose mission it was to find
bombs and insurgents in Afghanistan while keeping civilians
safe. It was late afternoon, barely 1700 hours. Still, the tempera‐
ture raged at one hundred ten degrees and wasn’t showing any
remorse.
The assignment was to enter a small village, search it, and
maintain a presence while waiting for further orders. They had
intelligence information that the enemy had possibly used the
village for storing bomb-making paraphernalia. The inhabitants
were not known hostiles, merely farmers, and would not pose
any type of danger.
Katie Scott took point, which meant she was holding the
most exposed position leading her unit. She trudged forward,
feeling every muscle ache in her body. Her gear seemed heavier
than it had only two hours ago. She adjusted her helmet and,
keeping her weapon poised and ready, watched the black
German shepherd pad along the roadway. The dog’s posture
was almost regal and he was on high alert, ears perked forward
as his head moved from side to side catching scents from the
open area. Cisco was Katie’s constant companion and partner,
one who had alerted her team to danger on several occasions.
The dog was invaluable in so many ways, thwarting multiple
potential dangers and keeping the team safe.
They finally entered the village. A couple of elderly towns‐
people acknowledged the American soldiers with a subtle nod
but stopped what they were doing immediately to take refuge in
their small, makeshift homes. There were supposed to be fami‐
lies with children in the village, but now Katie could only see
two young men out and about.
It seemed strange.
Something was out of place.
Katie slowed her pace and her sergeant caught up with her.
“What’s up, Scotty?” he said quietly, still keeping his eyes
on any movement around the village.
“I don’t know…” she said softly. “But something is wrong.”
They stopped.
The rest of the team spread out and kept a watchful eye
around them.
Cisco stopped too. He stood completely still, taking in the
sights and sounds as the hot breeze ruffled his black fur. He
growled and turned his attention ahead toward a group of
buildings.
“He senses something,” she whispered to her sergeant.
The sergeant gestured for the rest to follow in that
direction.
The company moved out. Each soldier had their position,
watching for any movement as they covered each other’s backs.
Katie could feel her heart beating hard. She shivered even
though the temperature was blistering. Moving cautiously in
the direction that Cisco had headed, she brought the dog close
by her side. She was ready to return fire or take cover. She took
a deep breath to steady her nerves and keep focus. They
continued to advance.
one who had alerted her team to danger on several occasions.
The dog was invaluable in so many ways, thwarting multiple
potential dangers and keeping the team safe.
They finally entered the village. A couple of elderly towns‐
people acknowledged the American soldiers with a subtle nod
but stopped what they were doing immediately to take refuge in
their small, makeshift homes. There were supposed to be fami‐
lies with children in the village, but now Katie could only see
two young men out and about.
It seemed strange.
Something was out of place.
Katie slowed her pace and her sergeant caught up with her.
“What’s up, Scotty?” he said quietly, still keeping his eyes
on any movement around the village.
“I don’t know…” she said softly. “But something is wrong.”
They stopped.
The rest of the team spread out and kept a watchful eye
around them.
Cisco stopped too. He stood completely still, taking in the
sights and sounds as the hot breeze ruffled his black fur. He
growled and turned his attention ahead toward a group of
buildings.
“He senses something,” she whispered to her sergeant.
The sergeant gestured for the rest to follow in that
direction.
The company moved out. Each soldier had their position,
watching for any movement as they covered each other’s backs.
Katie could feel her heart beating hard. She shivered even
though the temperature was blistering. Moving cautiously in
the direction that Cisco had headed, she brought the dog close
by her side. She was ready to return fire or take cover. She took
a deep breath to steady her nerves and keep focus. They
continued to advance.
SYNOPSIS
Smoke curls from what’s left of the beautiful family home on the edge of the woods. The heat is unbearable as she descends the stairs to the basement, past a set of bicycles––two big, one small. That’s when she sees three little white bones in the cracked earth at her feet, turning her blood to ice…
When firefighters tackling a blazing house in a quiet suburb of Pine Valley, California discover human remains, Detective Katie Scott races to 717 Maple Street. She calls a halt to the excavations the moment she sees the full number and size of the bones; someone has buried a whole family down here.
Working night and day, it’s up to Katie to prove her theory that the fire was no accident, that someone wanted to expose the secret in the basement. Tiny traces of explosives residue found at the scene is all the proof she needs. But the Cross family have been missing for months––leaving friends and loved ones in agonizing pain––what twisted soul would do this now? And why?
The case takes another heart-shattering turn when Katie’s suspicions over recent renovation work on the house leads to the discovery of more bodies in the back yard: two little girls, buried years apart. What other devastating secrets are hidden in this perfect family home? It’s a dead end at every turn as Katie tracks down anyone who knew the family. Just when it looks like all hope is lost, reports of the Cross’s landlord harassing the family before they went missing gives Katie a crucial lead. With a menacing grey sedan following her every move, how many more innocent lives will be lost before Katie can dig up the truth?
An absolutely gripping and totally addictive thriller from a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. It will keep you racing through the pages all night long––fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh will devour in one sitting!
When firefighters tackling a blazing house in a quiet suburb of Pine Valley, California discover human remains, Detective Katie Scott races to 717 Maple Street. She calls a halt to the excavations the moment she sees the full number and size of the bones; someone has buried a whole family down here.
Working night and day, it’s up to Katie to prove her theory that the fire was no accident, that someone wanted to expose the secret in the basement. Tiny traces of explosives residue found at the scene is all the proof she needs. But the Cross family have been missing for months––leaving friends and loved ones in agonizing pain––what twisted soul would do this now? And why?
The case takes another heart-shattering turn when Katie’s suspicions over recent renovation work on the house leads to the discovery of more bodies in the back yard: two little girls, buried years apart. What other devastating secrets are hidden in this perfect family home? It’s a dead end at every turn as Katie tracks down anyone who knew the family. Just when it looks like all hope is lost, reports of the Cross’s landlord harassing the family before they went missing gives Katie a crucial lead. With a menacing grey sedan following her every move, how many more innocent lives will be lost before Katie can dig up the truth?
An absolutely gripping and totally addictive thriller from a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. It will keep you racing through the pages all night long––fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh will devour in one sitting!
Author Bio:
Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and best-selling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a bachelor degree in police forensics and a master’s degree in criminology & criminal justice. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent psychopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells.
In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling. She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists, and member of the International Thriller Writers.
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