Deadline (Love Inspired Suspense)

by Maggie K. Black

  “And I have fallen quite deeply in love with her.” A smile twinkled in the depths of his eyes. He stepped forward, until the strength of his chest brushed up against hers. “So I have asked the paper’s publisher, my team and our syndicators to grant me permission to pursue a relationship with her, openly and honestly. Because whether she is standing right by my side throughout the coming months,” he recited, “or somewhere as far off as ‘professional distance’ demands—” his breath tickled over her skin “—she will always and forever be first on my mind and in my heart, as close to me as the air that I breathe.”

  She smiled. “You actually wrote and published that?”

  “I actually did.” His fingers slid into the hair and brushed along the back of her neck. “It was the most honest thing I’ve ever written. For a moment there, it looked like I was going to lose my job over it. It took some careful planning, a lot of meetings with my publisher and Vince really going to bat for me, to convince Torchlight News they couldn’t afford to just let their star reporter go in the middle of the biggest story of his career. But it had to be done. I love you, Meg, and I can’t pretend otherwise a moment longer.”

  She reached for him, her body aching for the feel of his arms. But instead of pulling her into the hug that she longed for, he pulled away.

  His dark eyes looked so deeply into hers she felt shivers down her spine. “But I’ve got to be honest with you, Meg. If you decide to take this journey with me, it’s not going to be easy. These trials could last years. Meanwhile, court television shows and gossip mongers are going to have a field day over the idea of a crime reporter and a survivor being together romantically. Our testimonies will both be under extra scrutiny during the trial. The tabloid reporters will be knocking at your door. If this leads to marriage, the international news will go wild. Paparazzi around the globe will be coming after you.”

  “Then let them come.” She stood up on the picnic bench and looped her arms around his neck. “I love you, Jack, and as long as we’re together, I’m not scared.”

  Then his mouth moved over hers, and he kissed her with a passion that stole the breath from her lungs and quelled every last whisper of doubt in her heart.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from OUT OF HIDING by Rachel Dylan.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for sharing Meg and Jack’s story with me. While the specific locations, buildings and people in this book are a work of fiction, Manitoulin Island itself is far more interesting and culturally rich than I could possibly have words to describe. The ferry journey on a clear day is simply beautiful.

  Like Meg, I’ve always battled anxiety. I remember, as a teenager, standing on a beach watching my friends leaping off a cliff into the water while fear held me back like a hand on my chest. I’m very grateful to God for all of the various people in my life who’ve been there for me, to listen, to guide or to just stand beside me. Especially my husband, who gives me both the wind for my sails and a safe harbor to come home to.

  My prayer for you is that if there’s anything in your life holding you back, you will find the people, the places and the support you need to adventure and grow into the beautiful person God calls you to be.

  Please drop by and visit me online at www.maggiekblack.com. I really enjoy hearing your thoughts and am thankful that you are sharing this journey with me.

  Maggie

  Questions for Discussion

  When Meg is on the ferry and starts to feel stressed, she heads out alone onto the foggy deck to find some peace. When you feel overwhelmed, do you prefer to be alone or with people?

  Would you prefer joining a friend for a high-intensity activity like snowmobiling or a calmer one like hiking in the woods? Are there any adventure sports that you have tried or would like to try?

  Why do you think the snowmobiling accident affected Benji and Meg so differently?

  Are there ever times in which fear is a healthy thing that keeps us from making bad decisions? Are there times when fear holds us back from good things? How do we tell the difference?

  What role can friends, family, health professionals and our church play in helping us overcome our fears and follow God’s best for our life? What do you think will help Meg?

  When Chris Quay died in a snowmobiling accident, his friends tied ribbons to a tree to remember him. Fourteen years later, the ribbon tree is still there, and the small community still remembers his death. Does that surprise you? Have you ever seen a roadside memorial to a traffic accident?

  When Jack first questions Meg about Benji, he is skeptical of the faith she has in her brother, because it reminds him of times he’s heard criminals blindly defended by their family and friends. Do you think Meg is right to have faith in her brother? What causes us to have faith in other people?

  What do you think of Meg’s relationship with her brother, Benji? How do you think the events in this book will change her relationship with him?

  Jack risked his career and reputation with his dogged determination to investigate the Raincoat Killer, even though the chief of police said there was no such serial killer. Did Jack do the right thing? Is there anything you think he should or could have done differently?

  Meg is worried she can’t have a future with Jack because of the risks he takes in his job and his love of dangerous sports. What advice would you have given Jack at the beginning of the book, if he’d asked you how much of himself he should change in order to have a future with Meg? How do you think being with Meg will change him?

  How do you think the story would have ended differently if Jack had written a story about Meg without her agreeing to be interviewed?

  Do you enjoy hearing about criminal investigations and murder trials in the news? Do you watch television news programs that follow trials and investigations currently taking place? Why or why not?

  Is Meg right to think that if the news reported that the Raincoat Killer attacked her, some brides might think twice about using her as a wedding planner? Why or why not?

  When Jack is attacked by someone in a raincoat in the sports store, Meg decides to help him instead of running away. Why do you think she did that? What do you think of her decision?

  Throughout the book Meg is determined that she doesn’t want the media harassing her or prying into her personal life. Yet at the end of the book she makes the decision to be with Jack, even though she knows it will probably result in the tabloids following her for a while. Why does she make that choice? Why do you think she’s not afraid anymore?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

  You enjoy a dash of danger. Love Inspired Suspense stories feature strong heroes and heroines whose faith is central in solving mysteries and saving lives.

  Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Suspense every month!

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  ONE

  Sadie felt the bullet whiz by her head as she crouched down in the wet dirt. Darkness surrounded her, but she wasn’t alone. Her gut screamed loudly that something was terribly wrong. And she always trusted her gut. She had company, and if that bullet was any indication, they meant business. The sound of the crackling leaves told her someone was moving quickly in her direction.

  Dressed in all black, she lay flat on the ground in the dark woods. No one was going to see her. That bullet wasn’t meant for her but was intended for someone else. Who? She didn’t want to stick around long enough to find out. She prayed that Megan wasn’t out here in the woods tonight—alone, scared and with bullets flying. It was no place for a sixteen-ye
ar-old girl.

  She checked her gun and kept her position low against the damp, muddy ground. Her night vision goggles were a blessing. It was then she saw what she dreaded the most. The letters FBI on a dark-colored flak jacket as an agent trounced his way through the woods. Why the FBI was involved in whatever was happening in these woods she didn’t know, but she didn’t like it. They were invading her turf.

  Sadie had her first solid lead on the Vladimir network in El Paso, and she didn’t want to give up the opportunity. She’d been on stakeouts for weeks, desperately trying to determine if Igor—the man who had taken everything from her—was in El Paso. Her intel had been that something related to the Vladimir crew was going down in the woods tonight. She had hoped that whatever it was wasn’t going to involve Megan—the missing girl she was looking for. Sadie knew that Vladimir’s crew was responsible for her disappearance. That’s why she’d sought out the job just days ago.

  Technically, she was still in the Witness Security Program commonly known as Witness Protection, although they didn’t consider her to be in immediate danger anymore. She’d followed all their rules over the years. Her new life, her new name, everything. Done by the book. Not a single deviation from the protocol given to her by the U.S. Marshals. There was no way she’d let them know what she planned to do now that she had confirmation Igor sought to set up shop in her own backyard. It was only a matter of time before Witness Protection realized Igor’s activities had expanded down to El Paso, and then they’d want her to move. She needed to act fast if she had any chance of taking out Igor’s network.

  She slowly stood up using a large tree as a shield. Thankfully, she was small of stature. By the time she’d registered the crunch of a stick right behind her it was too late. A large hand grabbed her shoulder with another muffling her scream.

  “FBI, don’t move,” the deep voice said directly into her ear.

  Didn’t matter who he was, when a man put his hands on her, he was going to pay. She’d trained for moments like these. She slammed her foot down on his, and he groaned. But he didn’t loosen his grip. Was this guy made of iron?

  Trying another approach, she went limp in his arms, shocking him into loosening his grip, giving her a moment to slide away. She’d only taken two steps when he tackled her, knocking her to the ground. She could barely breathe. She squirmed against him, but she was no match for his size and strength. He had to have been at least a foot taller and a hundred pounds heavier. For a moment, fear seized her. She said a prayer asking God to keep her safe and then fought back.

  “Stop struggling,” he said quietly, his voice steady. “I promise I’m not going to hurt you.”

  She didn’t believe him. She knew better than to trust the Feds. Trust them, and she could end up dead like her parents. He adjusted his grip just enough for her to knee him in the stomach. Big mistake on her part. Now he seemed raving mad.

  “I’m trying to save your life here. You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into. You should not be here in these woods right now.”

  The thing was, she actually wasn’t a stranger to life-and-death situations. So this one didn’t faze her too much. “I already dodged one bullet and was doing just fine on my own.”

  “You’ll have time later to explain how you ended up in the middle of an active FBI investigation packing heat and wearing night vision goggles. For now, let me get you out of here safe and sound.”

  She shuddered. Those promises had been made to her before. And they’d been broken—every single one of them.

  “I’m not going anywhere with you,” she said. She struggled against his secure grip.

  “Yes, you are, ma’am. Listen to me.” He paused, his breathing ragged. “Things are only going to get worse. You might not be as fortunate the next time a bullet gets fired. And I don’t want to have your death on my conscience. I have enough guilt to last a lifetime. So when I say three, we move for that next tree. You hear me?”

  Realizing her current options were limited, she relented. He was right. Her best move for now was to retreat. She’d taken a taxi tonight and made her way to the woods on foot. It wasn’t as if she had her own ride out of danger. She’d have time to get away from him once they got to safety. “Okay.”

  “One, two, three, go go go!” he said in a low voice. They sprinted from their current position to the next tree and squatted down. That’s when she heard another round of gunfire. Automatic weapons this time. Her heartbeat quickened, but now was not the time to panic. She’d been in worse situations without the valuable experience that she now carried with her after years of being a private investigator.

  “What next?” she whispered, trying to catch her breath.

  “Make a run for that far tree. My Jeep is beyond it. I’m hoping that will work.”

  “And if not?”

  “I’ll think of plan B.”

  He sounded so sure of himself. Typical for FBI types. She wasn’t going to count on him to get her out of here safely. She would survey her options once they made it to the next tree before she jumped in the Jeep of a total stranger—even if he was in the FBI. Hadn’t she already learned that tough lesson?

  “Now,” he barked.

  She ran ahead of him using her small size and speed to her advantage, making it to the tree first. Though he wasn’t far behind. She saw the dark Jeep parked behind a cluster of trees providing them with additional cover.

  “Let’s go for it,” he said.

  Making a split second decision that she prayed she wouldn’t regret, she slid into the passenger side and ducked down low. Before she could even steady herself, the FBI guy had turned the ignition and floored it. The bumpy ride had her on high alert as he navigated the vehicle over the rough terrain.

  She stayed down not knowing if they were safe from the gunfire and started plotting her escape. No way was she being taken in by the FBI to “explain herself.”

  They drove a few minutes in silence as the Jeep weaved through the wooded area and onto the country road that would eventually lead back into town. Then he spoke after checking his mirrors. “We’re in the clear.”

  She eased up into her seat and looked around at her surroundings, including the man driving. She wasn’t wrong in her initial assessment. This guy was tall and bulky. She already knew from the encounter in the woods that he was strong. His brown hair was cut short. She couldn’t see his eyes since they were focused on what lay ahead. She told herself to remember that he was one of them.

  He glanced over at her. “You want to tell me now what you were doing out in the woods?”

  “My job,” she snapped. Who knows what he thought she was doing, but her answer was completely truthful.

  “And what job is that?”

  She sighed, already not enjoying this line of questioning. “I’m a private investigator.”

  “You’re not plugged into our FBI investigation, though. I would’ve known it.”

  “I have no idea what investigation you’re working on.” She let out a deep breath and figured she needed to provide an explanation. Maybe it would help her get away from him sooner. “I was in the woods searching for a missing girl. You may have even seen a local news story about her. Her mother recently hired me. I’ve been looking everywhere. I didn’t see or hear anything until I felt the first bullet whiz by my ear.” She was telling the truth. She had to make sure Megan wasn’t in those woods tonight. It appeared that her leads had been correct. Something was going on with the Vladimir crew. And the FBI was involved. She said another silent prayer for Megan.

  “Wow,” he said. “You were in the wrong place at the wrong time, Ms. P.I. lady. I’m going to need to bring you in, though. Gotta take your statement. Make it official.” His Southern drawl was unmistakable.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “I promise it’ll be qui
ck. You are carrying a weapon. I assume you have a permit for that and all.”

  No way she’d allow him to take her in, but she didn’t have to tell him that. Her past struggles with the FBI were her own. Better to have the element of surprise.

  “Uh-oh,” he said. He jerked the wheel hard to the right sending her into his right arm. “We’ve got company. Hold on.”

  “I thought you said we were good.”

  “They came out of nowhere.”

  She turned around and saw a large dark SUV that was gaining on them. But FBI guy had some moves and was taking the curves on the dark country road with finesse as he drove toward the more populated area of town.

  “Who are these people?” she asked as she clenched her fists. Were they connected to Vladimir?

  “The less you know the better.”

  “Why don’t you let me take a shot? I could probably blow out their tire.”

  “You’re that good of a shot?” he asked with disbelief dripping from his deep voice.

  “You better believe it,” she said without hesitation.

  He paused for a second and glanced over at her. “If you think you can, then go for it.”

  She was going to show this FBI guy that she was no slouch. In fact, she could probably outshoot him. All the time she’d spent at the range over the past few years had paid off. She turned around and was glad they were in a Jeep. Granted it didn’t provide them with much, if any, protection, but it also meant she’d have an easier time getting off an unobstructed shot.

  Steadying herself she took a deep breath, aimed and pulled the trigger. It only took one shot, and the right front tire of the car chasing them was done for. The pursuit ended abruptly as they began to skid, the car circling in on the blown tire. “Got ’em.”