by John Lansing
Out stepped Angelica Marie Cardona, the most sought-after international news story of the past forty-eight hours, carrying a single long-stemmed red rose.
Peter held the gate open for her as she stepped through and walked the length of the dock to greet Jack. She was wearing jeans, a blue work shirt, running shoes, and no makeup. She looked younger and more fragile, Jack thought.
“I’m sorry about your boat.”
“No worries.”
She handed Jack the rose. “It was all I could think of to say thank you.”
“It’s perfect. Very thoughtful.”
Jack looked from the red of the rose to her clear green eyes and was suddenly at a loss for words.
Angelica filled the silence. “I’m moving home for a while, until things settle down.”
“It’s a circus out there,” Jack agreed.
“They’ll get bored and move on. They always do.”
Jack was amazed at Angelica’s composure. He knew she was in for a rocky ride, but he was pleased she seemed grounded under the circumstances.
“How are you feeling?” he asked gently.
“I’m not sure. I’m better than I would have been if you hadn’t stepped into my life.”
“I’m really glad it worked out, Angelica.”
“Me too. Really glad. I’m going to lay low. Maybe talk to someone.”
Jack knew she was referring to a therapist. “That would make sense.”
“I’ll let Dad run interference. He’s good at that.” She shared a secret smile with Jack. “I’ll let you know where I land, if that’s all right.”
“That would be fine.”
They both stared at the empty slip for a moment.
“You’re a good man, Jack Bertolino.” She stood on tiptoes, took Jack’s face in her young hands, and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. She nailed him with her killer eyes, turned, and walked back up the dock.
Something stirred in Jack’s chest as he watched the black Lincoln pull silently away from the curb.
* * *
After one of the best spaghetti dinners Jack had ever eaten, he went to the fridge and pulled out the butcher-paper-wrapped steaks. He cut the string with a knife, slipped his finger under the tape, and the thick paper flapped open. On top of eight perfectly trimmed and aged New York steaks was a Ziploc plastic sandwich bag.
Inside the bag was an unmarked DVD.
Curious, Jack grabbed his wine, walked into his office, and loaded the disc into his computer.
The first shot was of a naked blond woman in her early twenties. She was clearly unconscious. Could’ve been Angelica, could’ve been Kayla. Jack was positive it was the girl who had been killed in the boat crash at Paradise Cove.
Then a naked, swaggering, fully erect Raul Vargas entered the frame and went to work on the drugged woman. He raped and defiled and brutalized her. Jack shook with rage but forced himself to watch the entire sadistic film. And at the end, he was clear on one thing.
Raul Vargas was going down hard.
Acknowledgments
The author gratefully acknowledges the many people who lent their time and expertise in making this the best book possible. Karen Hunter, for staying the course and keeping the faith. Brigitte Smith, Melissa Gramstad, and the entire Simon & Schuster team for their continued support. John Paine, for another brilliant edit, and Aja Pollock for an impeccable copy edit. My attorney, Les Abell, whose support is invaluable and always appreciated.
Thanks to Bob Marinaccio, Annie George, Gordon Dawson, Deb Schwab, Kathryn Solórzano, Molly Miles, and Diane and Deborah Lansing for great notes on early drafts. And retired Air Force colonel Jeff Barnett, for sharing his knowledge of the FBI’s presence in Iraq.
Special thanks goes out to Vida Spears. She kept me on the straight and narrow with her support, love, and patience as she listened to every word written with grace under fire.
About the Author
John Lansing has spent the past two decades writing and producing network television. He was a writer and producer on Walker, Texas Ranger and he co-executive produced the ABC series Scoundrels. John’s first book was Good Cop, Bad Money, a true-crime tome with former NYPD Inspector Glen Morisano. Devil’s Necktie was his debut novel. A native of Long Island, John now resides in Los Angeles.
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Karen Hunter Publishing
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2014 by John Lansing
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First Karen Hunter Publishing/Pocket Books ebook edition October 2014
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ISBN 978-1-4767-9551-5