Gilles saluted Michael with his mug. “She’s working with you every day. How are you not yet a couple?”
Michael’s world was still off-kilter. “You really believe this.”
“I do.”
“I had hoped… not that I took her in for this… but I’d hoped she could love me.” He sighed. “Every time I move in that direction, she shuts me down.”
A grin played on Gilles’ lips. “Perhaps you’re making the wrong moves. If we live through this, I’ll give you some pointers.”
“If we live. You must have a plan, or you wouldn’t have contacted me.”
“I wanted to warn you. My CSIS contacts would have let you be collateral damage to catch the bigger prize. Now I can tell them you’re definitely in the Zarins’ sights. They can work with local law enforcement, and hopefully give you protection. Tell me everything suspicious that’s happened.”
Half-way through Michael’s recap, a door banged in the next room. He nearly jumped out of his chair. “Sorry. You were always the adventurous one. I just read about things like this.”
Gilles took notes, and at the end asked for Michael’s cell number. “If you hadn’t changed it, this would have been much easier. I received a very startled reply when I tried to text you. Give me Aunt Bay’s, too, if she has one.”
“Why?” Michael gave him the numbers.
“I might need a second opinion about Amy’s feelings. Once the dust settles. Or I may just ask her myself. By text, of course. A dead lover showing up to ask about her next one might not go over too well.”
Michael snorted. “I’m glad you’re still crazy.”
“Like a coyote. You want to get Chinese takeout, for old times’ sake, or do you need to get back?”
“I can’t go home until I get my head around this.”
~~~
[Thanks for reading. The next pages have notes, acknowledgements, and discussion questions, for those so inclined.]
A Note from Janet Sketchley
Thanks for reading Without Proof. If you liked it, please consider posting a brief review at your favourite online bookstore or with Goodreads or one of the other social book sites. And tell your friends about it. Word of mouth is still the best way for readers to find new books.
This completes the Redemption’s Edge series, and I hope you’ve enjoyed spending time with the characters in these novels as much as I have. Believe me, I’ve lived with them a lot longer than you did! I’m in the process of discovering what’s next for me, fiction-wise, and “meeting” some new imaginary friends. If you want to keep in touch with what’s coming next, you’re invited to sign up for my monthly author newsletter.
It’s worth mentioning the difference between Islamic extremists and other followers of Islam. As a Christian, I believe Jesus’ words that He is the only way to relationship with God. His invitation is open to all who choose to accept it (see the Gospel of John). I do not believe that ordinary Muslims like Safia and her son are evil. They simply haven’t yet met the God of grace and mercy. The Christian’s job is to be Jesus’ ambassador to those who don’t know Him, whatever their faith or lack thereof.
If you’ve read the other Redemption’s Edge novels, have you checked out the bonus features on my website? The links are below. Bonus features for Without Proof are on the Without Proof book page (scroll down past the buy links).
If you haven’t read the other books, you may have questions:
What exactly did Amy’s cousin Harry do? Could he have truly found redemption, despite his crimes? Heaven’s Prey, Redemption’s Edge 1, tells his story — and the story of Ruth Warner, the prayer warrior whose faith could have cost her life. Find out more at the Heaven’s Prey book page.
What would it be like to live with the public shame of having a family member who’s a dangerous offender? What if Harry’s enemies, who can’t touch him in prison, decide to target his sister Carol and her son? Secrets and Lies is Carol’s story. Find out more at the Secrets and Lies book page.
Again, thank you for reading. I hope it was fun, and that God blessed or encouraged you somewhere in the story.
~Janet
Janet Sketchley lives in Atlantic Canada, where she writes Christian suspense novels and blogs about faith and books. She loves Jesus and her family, and enjoys reading, worship music, and tea. You can find Janet online at janetsketchley.ca.
Acknowledgements
I’m indebted to Darrel and Lee Carver and Jan Warren for their input into possible sabotage details for Amy and Gilles’ plane. (Google helped too.) Any mistakes in writing are mine. Readers familiar with Nova Scotia may be aware that there’s no longer a flight club in the Halifax area since the Shearwater Flying Club closed. I’ve invented a fictional one in that approximate location for the purposes of the story.
Sharon Horgan helped me understand how Michael might react to the events of chapter 30. I thank her and Donna Morris for answering my painting-related questions.
I think my whole family joined in on discovering the fireworks incident, which turned out to not have much page time but which solidified Michael’s and Gilles’ friendship. The character of Nathin owes his existence to my son Matthew, and is duly grateful.
Thank you to my editor, Angela Breidenbach, editorial assistant, Matthew Sketchley, and cover artist, Amanda Walker, for their diligence and skill in shaping the finished novel.
A huge shout-out to my sharp-eyed early readers, Ruth Ann Adams, Heidi Newell, Russell Sketchley, and Beverlee Wamboldt.
Much gratitude to Sonya Benjamin and Tammy Wamboldt for their amazing support for this series. I hope book 3 lives up to your expectations!
From the deepest part of my heart, I thank God for giving me the gift of writing… along with the occasional “kick of love” to keep me moving.
Discussion Questions
1. Amy’s petite stature and the need to be independent since her mother’s death have taught her to stand up for herself and rely on her own judgement. Do you think that made it harder for her to believe Aunt Bay’s and Troy’s reassurances of Michael’s sanity?
2. Aunt Bay is outspoken, yet she’s careful not to say things she might regret. Is it harder for you to speak your mind or to restrain your words?
3. As the point of view character, Amy’s perceptions make her an unreliable narrator at times. Did you feel like Aunt Bay, that you’d like to make her see clearly, or were you content to watch her learn for herself?
4. Why do you think Aunt Bay and Troy wouldn’t tell Michael or Amy how the other felt? Would this be wise in real life?
5. As a child, Amy internalized and accepted the judgements about her. This left her overly sensitive to her birth circumstances, even when those around her saw that it wasn’t a barrier. How easy is it for us to believe the lies that diminish our worth or exclude us from relationships where we could blossom? What difference could it make to ask Jesus how He sees us?
6. Once Amy discovers that God loves her, she starts fighting the “voices” of childhood with what she’s learning about herself as His child. Have you ever used this sort of strategy to fight the battle in your mind?
7. Aunt Bay, Michael and Troy are all people of prayer. What part does prayer play in your life?
8. Aunt Bay tells Amy, “I suspect God wishes He could knock the pair of you upside the head and shake some sense loose. But He saves the dramatics for key points in history.” What are some of the more subtle ways God opens our eyes to what He wants us to see or to do?
9. Nathin may be farther from God now than ever, due to his life experiences. How do you think God might yet draw him to His heart?
10. Can you relate to Amy’s childhood fantasies about her father? What do you think about her struggle to forgive him for rejecting her as an adult? And what do you think about her forgiving Emilie at the end?
11. One type of fear keeps Amy silent about her birth. Fear of another kind keeps her and Michael from revealing their hearts to each other. It’s easy to
see this in other people, but what whispers of fear might be keeping us from living transparently with those around us?
12. What do you think about Aunt Bay’s words that “We should never blame God for what happens. But when you know He could have prevented something, it can be a struggle to accept that He didn’t.”
13. Aunt Bay has built a relationship with Safia’s family. As she shows practical love to her neighbours and prays for them, she’ll see opportunities to share her faith. What questions do you think the events in this novel might raise for Safia? Do you think this young mom and her family may yet discover the truth about Jesus?
14. If you’ve read the first two Redemption’s Edge books, how did you feel about seeing Ruth, Tony, Carol, Joey and Chance again? What do you think of Harry’s decision to go public with his conversion story?
Other Books in the Redemption’s Edge Series:
(available in ebook and print)
Heaven’s Prey (book 1)
A grieving woman is abducted by a serial killer — and it may be the answer to her prayers.
Despite her husband’s objections, 40-something Ruth Warner finds healing through prayer for Harry Silver, the former race car driver who brutally raped and murdered her niece. When a kidnapping-gone-wrong pegs her as his next victim, Harry claims that by destroying the one person who’d pray for him, he proves God can’t — or won’t — look after His own. Can Ruth’s faith sustain her to the end — whatever the cost?
Want more? See the buy links on my website’s Heaven’s Prey page, or at your favourite online retailer.
Secrets and Lies (book 2)
A single mother with a teenage son becomes a pawn in a drug lord’s vengeance against her convict brother.
Carol Daniels thinks she out-ran her enemies, until a detective arrives at her door with a warning. Minor incidents take on a sinister meaning. An anonymous phone call warns her not to hide again.
Now she must cooperate with a drug lord while the police work to trap him. Carol has always handled crisis alone, but this one might break her. Late-night deejay Joey Hill offers friendship and moral support. Can she trust him? One thing’s certain. She can’t risk prayer.
Want more? See the buy links on my website’s Secrets and Lies page, or at your favourite online retailer.
Without Proof, A Redemption’s Edge Novel
© 2015 by Janet Sketchley
ISBN (epub) 978-0-9938743-5-2
ISBN (mobi) 978-0-9938743-8-3
ISBN (print) 978-0-9938743-4-5
All rights reserved, in all media. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed or electronic reviews, without written permission of the author.
Permissions requests may be directed to the author via the contact page on her website: janetsketchley.ca/contact/.
The characters and situations in this book are works of fiction and are not intended to represent any individuals, living or dead. The opinions expressed by the characters are not necessarily those of the author, nor is the grammar they use always correct.
All Scripture references are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Edited by Angela Breidenbach. Additional editorial input by Matthew Sketchley.
Cover by Amanda Walker.
Photography by Amanda Walker Photography (forest) and Can Stock Photo (model).
Series cover design by Christina Fuselli, Fuselli Art & Design.
Published in Canada by Janet Sketchley.
Without Proof Page 27