Dead No More

by L. R. Nicolello

  “Never.” She cupped her hands under his jaw and forced him to look at her. “You could never lose me, Derek. I choose you. I’ll always choose you.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from DEAD DON’T LIE by L. R. Nicolello.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  YOU’D THINK THE second time around would have dulled the thrill. It didn’t. If anything, it was an even bigger high. Without this incredible group of people, Dead No More wouldn’t exist. I’m indebted to the following:

  Jill Marsal, my agent and trusted business partner at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Thank you for fielding all my insane questions; I owe you!

  Lauren Smulski, my editor at HQN. Your humor and critical eye is most appreciated, especially with this baby! Thank you for putting up with the countless queries, random emails and an insane timeline. Working with you has been an absolute dream.

  Susan Swinwood, Margo Lipschultz, the art department and the rest of the amazing team at HQN for making this book the best it can be.

  Catherine Coulter, your dedication to this craft is truly inspiring. Thank you for offering to read, for asking the hard questions, for taking time out of your busy schedule, for the invaluable advice...for paving the way for “newbies” like me. Let’s be honest: I’m still pinching myself here!

  J.T. Ellison, for reading, for encouraging, for pulling me onto that dance floor, for welcoming me into “the tribe.” I’m forever grateful for your friendship, your wisdom and your outlook on life. Here’s to another chance meet-up on the East Coast!

  Karen Evans, for your friendship and for helping track down this book amongst the black hole otherwise known as the postal service.

  Lynnette Labelle, for your continued advice, humor and friendship.

  Jo Gunnink, thanks for seeing the vision through the fog, and for cheering me on to “finish it!”

  Sarah Martini, my cheerleader, confidant and friend—“Where’s the coffee?”

  Lynette Ruiz, my gorgeous sister, who continues to cheer me on. Thank you.

  My mom, Raenell, for taking time out of her beach vacation to hole herself up in her hotel room and read the final draft until the very last sentence. That’s unconditional love!

  To all the sassy, courageous, gorgeous women in my life—you know who you are. Most only have one or two such friends; I’ve been blessed with several across the world. And to everyone else who continues to support this dream in one fashion or another, thank you.

  And saving the best for last—my incredible husband, Drew. There are not enough words to completely articulate my love for you. Thank you for championing me on like only you can do.

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  CHAPTER ONE

  Present day

  EYES FOCUSED ON the mark one hundred yards in front of her, Evelyn pulled the trigger. Anticipating the buck of cold metal in her hand, her body absorbed the kickback as three short bursts echoed in her ears. Her lips twitched into a tight smile. She couldn’t have been more accurate if she’d been at point-blank range.

  Evelyn holstered her piece, pushed her protective glasses up and smirked at the man standing next to her. Detective Ryan O’Neil pressed the green button to their right, refusing to meet her gleeful stare, and watched as the tethered paper target danced its way down the shooting lane closer and closer into view.

  Her partner sighed ruefully. “Two to the chest, one to the head. Not bad, little Miss Evelyn Davis, not bad.”

  Evelyn flinched slightly. Most of the time, she wasn’t bothered by the new name she’d adopted fifteen years ago. But every so often, hearing “Davis” instead of “Maslin” still shocked her a bit. It seemed like today was going to be one of those days.

  Ryan pulled the target sheet from the hanger and waved it in Evelyn’s face. He grinned, the dimples in his cheeks deepening. Standing at six foot one and a solid 190 pounds of pure muscle, Ryan had the eye of every passing woman. His easygoing smile and casual mannerisms perfectly balanced out her sometimes cool, detached approach to their work. They were the perfect pair, and in looks, they could easily pass as siblings.

  The paper fluttered from Ryan’s fingers to the shell-covered, dirty concrete floor. He ran his hand through his thick mass of dark curls, sapphire eyes twinkling as he said, “But can you do that with your left hand?”

  They both knew she wouldn’t, or couldn’t, refuse his challenge.

  “That’s ‘Detective’ to you, sir. And you know I can.”

  She’d needed the release of the gun range after closing the Langdon case. Seeing those broken and battered little girls had taken its toll on her—physically and emotionally. It had been a long time since she’d needed to go that deep into the psyche of a monster, but someone had to do it—no one else on the force had seen past Adam Langdon’s stellar résumé, perfect face and solid alibi.

  Evelyn had.

  Going on nothing more than a hunch, she’d followed Langdon after work one day. After being detained and released due to lack of evidence the bastard had gotten cocky, not bothering to cover his tracks. He’d led Evelyn straight to his lair—off the grid and hidden—where, unbeknownst to her at the time, his newest victim lay bound and gagged. That sixth sense she’d grown to trust had pushed at her, demanding attention. So she’d done the only thing she could: called for backup and went in alone. Though he was bigger, she was running on righteous anger and quickly got the drop on him. By the time Ryan and the backup arrived, Langdon was in cuffs and the kidnapped little boy sat huddled in Evelyn’s lap, crying softly. Old VCR tapes lined the closest shelves, some dating back fifteen years, of his previous victims.

  She’d craved Wild West justice for Langdon. Instead, they’d shipped him to Clallam Bay Corrections Center just southeast of Neah Bay. She wanted him out of Washington State altogether, but knew he wouldn’t last long at CBCC. That gave her some sense of justice served. Even the cruelest killers wouldn’t accept some things—and a murdering child molester was one of them. But he wouldn’t be able to touch another child. He likely wouldn’t be able to do much of anything soon. Her lips tugged up as the dark, primal thought passed through her mind.

  “Okay.” Ryan’s voice pulled her back to the present. “Let’s see you prove it.”

  He pulled out a worn leather wallet, grabbed a crumbled twenty and slapped it onto the counter in front of them. He stuffed his wallet back in his pocket, then clipped another paper target to the hanger. “Right now.”

  “I hate to take your money, O’Neil. But if you insist....” Evelyn shook her head. All thoughts of Landgon vanished.

  She was in her element, and Ryan was toast.

  She turned, pushed her protective eyepiece back into place and picked up her department-issued 9mm. She flicked off the Glock’s safety and raised her left hand. Focusing her breath, she concentrated on the flimsy target swaying from its ride down the shooting range. With each controlled breath, she slowed her heartbeat. She locked onto the bull’s-eye. Her mind morphed the thin target into the still-nameless face that tormented her dreamless nights: her family’s killer.

  Without hesitation, her pointer finger squeezed the trigger...and blew a hole through the target’s middle.

  “And that, O’Neil—” she holstered her piece, pivoted and grinned at her partner’s blank face “—is how it’s done in the big leagues.”

  “Impressive.” He sank against the wooden stall, hand rubbing the stubble on his chin as he studied Evelyn’s obliterated target.

  Evelyn picked up
and tossed the empty shell casings into the trash. Ryan crossed his arms across his barrel of a chest and kicked a few casings her way. “So, Kate and the kids want you to come over for dinner tonight.”

  Evelyn stopped short and glanced up. Ryan smiled.

  She didn’t want to disappoint the kids, but what she really needed was a bottle of Malbec and a bubble bath. She shook her head. “Ryan, that smile of yours isn’t going to help you.”

  “My killer smile may not have worked on you. But I have one better.”

  Evelyn groaned and leaned back on her heels.

  “Kate said she won’t take no for an answer. Be there at six o’clock, Davis.”

  There was no arguing with Kate O’Neil. Evelyn knew it. Ryan knew it. Hell, even Kate knew it. Evelyn sighed. She’d clearly lost this battle.

  “I guess I’ll see you at six, then.” She threw a shell casing at Ryan’s head, but he ducked without so much as a blink. “But I’m bringing a date.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Ryan’s eyebrows arched together. “Who’s the lucky man?”

  She fluttered her lashes. “His name is Mr. Malbec. Ever heard of him?”

  Ryan’s deep laugh bounced off the wooden walls of their shooting stall. “Nice one, Davis, real nice.”

  Evelyn picked up her gear and made her way toward the exit. She pushed open the door, turned and winked at her partner. “Thought you’d like that.”

  “Six o’clock, Davis. And don’t be late,” Ryan shouted after her.

  * * *

  EVELYN STEPPED OUT of Starbucks, nursing her double-short, no-foam, soy latte as she crossed the cobblestoned street and walked to her favorite spot in Seattle—Pike Place Market. Heading straight to the end of the market, past the infamous fish-throwing stand, she turned right. She let the heavenly scent of lavender lead her, its invisible tether reeling her in. The soft aroma invaded her senses and melted the stress of the preceding weeks. She filled her lungs with the delicate fragrance. Tonight, after dinner at Kate and Ryan’s, she’d sit in a hot lavender bath and let the rest of the stress seep out of her pores.

  Arriving at the stall she sought, she smiled at Josie’s familiar face. Pixie-like with her petite figure and a voice to match it, the vendor’s eyes crinkled as she grinned at Evelyn.

  “How are you this evening, Detective?”

  Evelyn shook her head, still smiling. “Just Evelyn tonight. I’m officially off the clock and desperately need some lavender oil and bath salts.”

  She swung her small black bag to her front and riffled through its contents. Where was her wallet? She carried the smallest purse possible, yet always managed to misplace things. Would wonders never cease? Finally locating the item she was searching for, Evelyn looked up. Josie’s head was down as she leaned over the counter that overflowed with lavender and stretched to reach the bath salts.

  “Are you ever truly off the clock, Evelyn?” the tiny woman asked as she pawed though her lavender products. She put the oil and salt into a tiny opaque bag and held it out to Evelyn. “Somehow, I doubt it.”

  “Well, this—” Evelyn exchanged money for the bag and held it up, the soft scent floating up to her nose “—helps with my half-hearted attempt. Thank you.”

  “You’re most welcome.” Josie winked and turned to help the tall man who had strolled up to her small boxy stall.

  Evelyn left. She walked back through the marketplace, soaking up the late afternoon activity. She didn’t have to be anywhere for an hour or so and had every intention of enjoying her downtime. God knew she needed the break, and this was the perfect place for her to get it.

  She loved Pike Place Market. The hustle and bustle was strangely refreshing, and she came here as often as possible. People never seemed to have a care in the world as they purposely, yet leisurely, went from stall to stall searching for that perfect treasure. It was a place to enjoy, a place to discover. And nowhere else could she fade into the background so quickly and easily.

  * * *

  HE FOLLOWED BEHIND EVELYN, twirling a lavender sprig. Just far enough away that she wouldn’t notice him in the sea of people, but close enough to smell the lavender trail wafting behind her. He seethed as she ambled from one marketplace stall to the next. He’d wanted to move in, destroy her as she’d laughed and bantered with that vendor woman. He’d even stepped closer, his hands twitching in anticipation. But no, it wasn’t time.

  Not yet.

  So he’d bide his time, and watch, then make her feel pain she’d never known before. Then. Only then would he take her.

  His step lightened, the mental picture of her bleeding out at his feet pulsing through him. He stopped behind the column, held his breath and waited for her to finish at the wood-carver’s stall. She laughed. Anger burned in his eyes. How the hell can she be cheerful? She doesn’t deserve it. Not with what she’d done, and what she’d taken from him. He crushed the lavender sprig in his hand and threw it to the ground. She didn’t deserve happiness, but that would soon change.

  He’d see to that.

  Copyright © 2014 by L. R. Nicolello

  ISBN-13: 9781459256422

  Dead No More

  Copyright © 2015 by Lynell Nicolello

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