Kate crouched low to study the area around the final bag. The gravel rocks were light gray from even weathering, with no discernible tire tracks, boot or shoe prints to be found. She couldn't even find depressions that suggested the wandering by of the massive eighteen point buck Scooter and his son claimed to have spotted in the area. It was as if nothing alive had made an appearance since Old Man Miller left to purchase that ball-peen hammer thirteen years ago.
Kate headed back to the ME. He was at the fifth sack, laying a shrink-wrapped upper arm out on the flattened paper.
"This bastard is evil and very, very sick." Tonga's tortured stare met Kate's as she crouched beside him, the man's warm South African accent at odds with the ice-cold fury carved into his leathery features.
"Worse—he's smart, Doc. Not only did the killer possess the forethought to cover his tracks, he's intelligent and capable enough to have drained the body of blood before severing the limbs elsewhere." Meaning whoever had done this could be at it again, carving up another body as she and Tonga spoke.
But where?
"He may have medical training." The doc tapped a latex-covered finger over the plastic at both ends of the sectioned limb. "See how he cuts cleanly and with confidence? He knows what lies beneath the flesh and how to separate the joints without nicking the bone."
"Or he could be a hunter experienced at dressing his kill."
Like the ME, Kate had noted the clean, steady lines. But, while they could've come from a scalpel, they could also be the result of a thin, razor-sharp boning blade. And there was the shrink wrap. The plastic was freezer-grade and lightly textured on one side, like the type used with one of those food vacuum-packing machines thrifty homemakers and hunters used.
Finally, there was the time of death and its potential significance.
Had some reformed Bambi-killer decided to make a statement against an unrepentant sinner by displaying the body here, all but on top of a deer stand at the height of hunting season?
It was worth considering.
The ME nodded. "I agree. He could be an experienced hunter."
She prayed so. The Bambi-lover theory might be the only thing standing between this crime scene and the discovery of a second, meticulously sectioned body. Unfortunately, given the particulars she and Tonga had noted, it was more likely they were on the verge of a timely repeat, no matter the motive, and they both knew it.
"Shall we proceed?"
"Sure thing." Kate offered an arm to the aging ME as he stood.
"Thank you, young lady."
Kate held her tongue as she returned the doc's smile. At thirty-one, she doubted she passed as a kid anymore, even to a man on the verge of retirement. But there was no point in reminding Tonga, not when he'd come to know her as the teenage daughter of a local deputy who did her algebra outside the autopsy suite while waiting on her dad's "work".
Just as well. The doc's indulgent humor disintegrated with each subsequent unbagging. By the time they'd pulled the upper torso out and laid it on its slightly flayed-open front to photograph the reverse, Kate's mood had sunk deeper and darker than the ME's.
Like her, their victim was a combat vet.
She might not have had a chance to roll their mystery man's prints, but between the half-dozen bullet and shrapnel scars, the excellent level of physical conditioning of the chest and limbs, not to mention the detailed 101st Airborne "Screaming Eagle" tattoo that covered the entire upper back, they were most likely dealing with the remains of a former Army soldier between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-five.
All they needed now was a face and name to go with it.
Tonga's sigh was heavy with dread. "I'll get the last one."
"No, you opened the previous three." He was the worse for wear for it, too. The endless string of drunk-driving, drug-related and natural-causes deaths hadn't prepared the ME for this. Pulling out coldly sectioned human limb after limb had taken its toll on the South African giant, each shrink-wrapped piece peeling off another layer of his surprisingly tender soul.
Kate knew the feeling. For her, the rude awakening had come at nineteen. She'd been a cherry military policeman on her first tour in Afghanistan. She could still close her eyes late at night and feel the scorching heat on her skin, smell the ripening muck that had once passed for human fluid and flesh invading her lungs as she canvassed the aftermath of her first IED explosion. A black plastic garbage bag in one hand, the damned-near unidentifiable remains of a squadmate in the other as she bent down, again and again, to pluck up the disjointed fragments of flesh and bone scattered about the road like the burnt and bloodied leavings of some twisted Mardi Gras parade.
The sludge that had been simmering in Kate's gut since before she'd woken that morning began to churn.
"Are you unwell?"
She dragged on a smile. "Not at all. Look—Seth's waving to us. Why don't you head over and see what he needs while I verify the contents of that last bag?"
Shame mixed with the gratitude in Tonga's eyes—but he took the escape as Kate headed for the final sack.
One missing head laid out on the road, and they were done with the worst of it. The eyes would be the hardest. They always were. God willing, they'd be closed.
Kate braced herself as she knelt to pop the final row of staples. But as she reached inside to carefully cradle the head that did indeed await her, a wave of nausea crashed in, damned near swamping her. Instinct merged with an unexpected riptide of terror and she jerked to her feet.
The nausea worsened.
Threatened.
For the first time in her career, she was a split second from heaving all over her evidence. Instinct kicked in again as Kate spun to the right and bolted into the trees lining the road. She was still sucking in huge gulps of blissfully cool air to combat the nausea that continued to threaten when she felt the palm on her back.
Patting. Soothing.
Lou.
She kept her eyes on a spindly pine, desperately trying to focus on the fragmented lines in its bark and not the perfect, scarlet slash at the base of that shrink-wrapped head.
"Kato? What the devil was in there?"
"Nothing!" Scratch that—and calm down, damn it. "It's a head, Lou. Just a head."
So why did merely picturing it—a simple, solitary head attached to a face she'd never even seen before today—make her want to vomit all over again?
And her lungs. Why wouldn't they cooperate?
Kate clamped down on the dive watch wrapped loosely about her wrist and began to twist, forcing herself to draw her breath into her lungs, then push it out with each steady sweep. The exercise in tactical breathing helped. But it was the constant, scraping friction that gradually hauled her out of the past, slowly but surely anchoring her in the present.
Lou's hand pressed into her shoulder as she straightened, then disappeared as she edged away.
"You want me to call the doc?"
The irony of the ME having to hurry over to soothe her nerves almost caused Kate to smile. Almost.
She found the strength to face Lou. "I'm fine. Must've been the pancakes I had for breakfast."
It was a lie, and this man had known her long enough and well enough to call her on it.
Lou swallowed it anyway. He patted her normal cheek for good measure. "S'okay, kiddo. This is my first freshly severed head too."
That was just it. When she'd stared into that bag, she'd had the distinct impression this wasn't hers.
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Meet the Author
CANDACE IRVIN is the daughter of a librarian and a retired US Navy chief. Candace grew up in the Philippines, Germany, and all over the United States. Her senior year of high school, she enlisted in the US Army. Following basic training, she transferred to the Navy’s ROTC program at the University of Texas-Austin. While at UT, she spent a summer in Washington, DC, as a Congressional Intern. She also worked security for the UT Police.
BA in Political Science in hand, Candace was commissioned as an ensign in the US Navy and sent to Surface Warfare Officer’s School to learn to drive warships. From there, she followed her father to sea.
Candace is married to her favorite soldier, a former US Army Combat Engineer. They live in the American Midwest, where the Army/Navy football game is avidly watched and argued over every year.
Go Navy; Beat Army!
Candace also writes gritty military thrillers under the name Candace Irving—just add the "g"!
Email Candace at www.CandaceIrving.com
or connect via:
Also by Candace Irvin
Have you read them all?
Romantic Suspense:
AN UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER
DSS Special Agent Jack Gage would’ve done anything to avoid his ex—until fate thrusts Army Capt. Danielle Stanton into the clutches of a slave trader and terrorist half a world away. When Jack sees Dani clothed in little more than bruises and shackles, he'll do anything to save her. The two are forced to work through their past problems to complete their present, critical mission. Jack won’t rest until he gets his man—and the unconditional surrender of Dani’s heart.
Mission: Undercover - Book 1
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FOR HIS EYES ONLY
Special Agent Reese Garrick has a mission—bust a criminal ring aboard the USS Baddager. But first, Reese must get around his “running mate” and baby-sitter, Navy Lt. Jade Parker. Jade doesn’t have the time nor the inclination to help some two-bit actor get into character. By the time Jade learns Reese’s real identity, getting him into the warship’s Nuclear Support Facility is the least of her worries—keeping him out of her heart is another matter altogether.
Mission: Undercover - Book 2
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IN CLOSE QUARTERS
The moment Navy Dr. Karin Scott met Special Agent TJ Vasquez, she had him pegged as a womanizer. But when Karin stumbles across a deadly plot at the naval hospital that’s killing young girls in San Diego, she has no where else to turn. She’s forced to put her trust in TJ’s hands. Will she realize TJ’s holding her heart as well before it’s too late?
Mission: Undercover - Book 3
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JUST BEYOND REACH
Joaquín Cortez fell in with his fellow special agent back at the academy. But Tess was engaged, so Joe kept his feelings secret...for six long years. When a deadly case at a San Diego hospital forces Joe and Tess to live as husband and wife, the strain affects their relationship. As Joe's "just friends" façade crumbles, Tess falls for the intensely passionate man in his place. But Joe has another secret. One so horrific, it may keep the woman he loves out of his reach—permanently.
Mission: Undercover - Book 4
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CROSSING THE LINE
When their chopper went down behind enemy lines, US Army pilot Eve Paris and Special Forces Capt. Rick Bishop were forced to work together to escape. Their attraction was intense, but back home their relationship crashed. To save her career, Eve and Rick must return to the crash site...but will they be able to salvage their love?
Sisters in Arms - Book 1
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A DANGEROUS ENGAGEMENT
Army Delta Force Capt. Tom Wild has never played by the rules, and he’s not about to start now. Tom will do anything to thwart the terrorist who murdered his friend, even court Luis’ trusted cousin Anna Shale—into bed, if necessary. The sultry beauty is Luis’ only weakness. That Anna’s a former US Navy Lt. suspected of passing military secrets to her cousin will make arresting the two—and Tom’s revenge for his buddy’s death—all the sweeter.
Sisters in Arms - Book 2
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IRRESISTIBLE FORCES
Air Force Capt. Samantha Hall never forgot the man she loved and lost. When her plane crashed in enemy territory and he came to her rescue, Sam’s reminded of the future they’d once dreamed of sharing. Col. Griff Towers can’t believe Sam’s back in his arms, even if it’s only part of his mission. She feels so right. Griff’s determined to discover what—or who—brought down that plane. And this time, Griff vows, Sam won’t be getting away from him.
Sisters in Arms - Book 3
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~More Sisters in Arms Books Coming Soon~
THE IMPOSSIBLE ALLIANCE
Retired search and rescue specialist Jared Sullivan had gotten out of the secret agent game—a fact that meant nothing to ARIES director Sam Hatch. Against his better judgement, Jared agreed to his mentor’s request to take on one last mission. He had no idea doing so would lead him to Alexis Warner, a beautiful but unknown ARIES agent determined to unravel the secrets lurking in Jared’s tortured eyes. But Alexis has shocking secrets of her own.
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TRIPLE DARE
Billionaire extreme-sports enthusiast Darian Sabura traveled the globe in search of his next adrenaline rush--and found it rescuing Abigail Pembroke. Abby’s life is shattered when she witnesses a murder. Someone doesn’t want her to live to talk about it. From the moment he saw her, Dare couldn’t stop the flood of emotion that destroyed the walls around his soul. For the first time, he feels fear—and desire. As their stalker draws near, he risks sheltering Abby in his arms…and his heart.
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Military Thrillers:
—Writing as Candace Irving—
Deception Point Military Thrillers:
AIMPOINT
Has an elite explosives expert turned terrorist? Army Detective Regan Chase is ordered to use her budding relationship with his housemate—John Garrison—to find out. But John is hiding something too. Has the war-weary Special Forces captain been turned as well? As Regan’s investigation deepens, lines are crossed—personal and professional. Even if Regan succeeds in thwarting a horrific bombing on German soil, what will the fallout do to her career?
Deception Point Military Thriller: Book 1
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BLIND EDGE
Army Detective Regan Chase responds to a series of murders and suicides brought on by the violent hallucinations plaguing a Special Forces A-Team—a team lead by Regan's ex, John Garrison. Regan quickly clashes with an unforgiving, uncooperative and dangerously secretive John—and an even more secretive US Army. What really happened during that Afghan cave mission? As Regan pushes for answers, the murders and suicides continue to mount. By the time Army comes clean, it may be too late. Regan's death warrant has already been signed—by John's hands.
Deception Point Military Thriller: Book 2
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BACKBLAST
Army Detective Regan Chase just solved the most horrific case of her career. The terrorist responsible refuses to speak to anyone but her. The claim? There's a traitor in the Army. With the stakes critical, Regan heads for the government's newest classified interrogation site: A US Navy warship at sea. There, Regan uncovers a second, deadlier, terror plot that leads all the way to a US embassy—and beyond. Once again, Regan's on the verge of losing her life—and another far more valuable to her than her own...
Deception Point Military Thriller: Book 3
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~More Deception Point Thrillers Coming Soon~
Hidden Valor Military Suspense
THE GARBAGE MAN
Former Army detective Kate Holland spent years hiding from the world—and herself. Now a small-town cop, the past catches up when a fellow vet is left along a backroad...in pieces. Years earlier, Kate spent eleven hours as a POW. Her Silver Star write-up says she killed eleven terrorists to avoid staying longer. But Kate has no memory of the deaths. And now, bizarre clues are cropping up. Is Kate finally losing her grip on reality? As the murders multiply, Kate must confront her demons...even as she finds herself in the killer's crosshairs.
A Hidden Valor Military Suspense: Book 1
> Buy it: Here
IN THE NAME OF
He’ll do anything for his country…even murder.
Kate Holland is back!
* * *
A Hidden Valor Military Suspense: Book 2
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* * *
~More Hidden Valor Books Coming Soon~
Dedication
For David,
Sarah, Jared, Matthew & Patrick.
* * *
My forever heroes & heroine.
Acknowledgments
The more I learn, the more I realize
how little I truly know. My deepest thanks
to the following folks for loaning me their expertise
in an effort to mask my ignorance:
* * *
Special Agent Dennis Leahy, ATF;
Dr. Sandy Norton, USN-MC;
Ms. Debby Delany, RN;
Ms. Marie Provenzano, MS, RN;
and Mr. Jason Lizot, NREMT, ORT.
I’d also like to thank my critique partners
CJ Eernise Chase & Amy McKinley, as well as my alpha readers Don Curtis & Father Robert Popichak
for their eagle eyes, razor pens and unstinting honesty.
Just Beyond Reach Page 31