But Allison had told Nic that she intended to try to prosecute Elizabeth for Clark Smith’s death. The FBI’s Evidence Recovery Team had managed to find a single print of Elizabeth’s on the bed rail. And in the same sketchbook in which Clark had written out what was meant to look like a suicide note, they had found a pencil drawing of a nude woman. A woman, everyone who saw it agreed, who looked a lot like Elizabeth.
Taking a bite of her salmon, Allison said, “For someone like Elizabeth, I think prison might be worse than the death penalty. She’s not a very patient person. And she likes to control everything.”
“I hope she hates it,” Nic said, so forcefully that a woman at the next table looked over her shoulder. She lowered her voice a tad. “I hope she loathes it. I want her to think every day about how if she hadn’t made the choices she did, she could be enjoying the sunshine and”—Nic lifted her fork—“hanger steak, and instead she’s got fluorescent lights and mystery meat.”
“Her and Foley,” Allison said. “They’ll both hate prison.”
“Do you think he’ll be convicted?” Cassidy asked.
“Nic and I will make sure of it,” Allison said. “Because if we don’t, he’ll just do it again. Someone like that, they’ll never stop.”
When they finished their meal, they made a show of looking at the dessert menu. But there was really only one choice that met the informal rule of the Triple Threat Club: the Bittersweet Deep Chocolate Torte with Cocoa Nib Chantilly.
“What’s chantilly?” Cassidy stage-whispered.
“I think it’s like whipped cream,” Allison whispered back. “And even if it’s not, I’ll bet whatever it is, is good.”
And when the waitress set it down, along with three forks, and Nic took a bite, she decided it was very good.
And so was life.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Mom and Dad, your lives continue to inspire. Bill O’Reilly, my mentor and friend (though don’t expect me to admit that on air), Roger Ailes (to whom I owe so much), and Dianne Brandi (whose judgment is infallible). And David Winstrom, Kevin Magee, Neil Cavuto (all inspirational as well as successful and, more important, good folk).
Our book agents, Todd Shuster and Lane Zachary of the Zachary, Shuster, and Harmsworth Literary Agency, and Wendy Schmalz of the Wendy Schmalz Agency—you made the Triple Threat happen. And the wonderful folks at Thomas Nelson: Allen Arnold, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Fiction (a true visionary); Ami McConnell, Senior Acquisitions Editor (who defines the word superwoman); and Editor L.B. Norton. Thank you Natalie Hanemann, Belinda Bass, Kristen Vasgaard, Daisy Hutton, Corinne Kalasky, and Becky Monds … your enthusiasm is infectious. And the Thomas Nelson sales team continues to inspire: Doug Miller, Rick Spruill, Heather McCulloch, Kathy Carabajal, and Kathleen Dietz, just to name a few. And the fantastic marketing team of Jennifer Deshler, Eric Mullet, Katie Bond, Ashley Schneider, and Heather Cadenhead.
Thank you Don and Deirdre Imus; Mickey; Scribbles; Joe Collins, paramedic/firefighter; D.P. Lyle, MD, who is a mystery author in his own right; Alida Rol, MD, gynecologist; Bob Stewart, retired FBI agent; and other FBI agents and security professionals who wished to remain anonymous. And THANK YOU to all the women who shared their personal experiences with breast cancer. We will win the fight!
All of the mistakes are ours. All the credit is theirs. Thank you!
READING GROUP GUIDE
1. The prosecutor in Elizabeth’s first trial (when she is a teenager) says that harsh sentences deter teens from committing similar crimes. Considering the teens you know or have met, do you think that is true for most teens?
2. What should the primary purpose of the justice system be: punishment, deterrence, rehabilitation, or the protection of future victims? How important are the other aspects? Is our current justice system accomplishing that?
3. In Matthew 25, Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me,” and then adds “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Have you ever visited anyone in prison? Would you ever consider it?
4. Do you think difficult experiences—like Allison’s miscarriage —happen for a reason? Do you believe that such events can teach us?
5. Have you ever crossed paths with someone you believe is a sociopath—someone manipulative, impulsive, who frequently lies and lacks empathy for others?
6. Some scans have shown sociopaths’ brains operate differently than normal brains. Do you believe that some people are born without a moral center? If so, should they be subject to the same kinds of sentences as people with normal brains?
7. What should the system do with sociopaths? In current studies, mental health treatment has proven ineffective and sociopaths who are forced into it frequently prey on others receiving treatment. Sociopaths are often imprisoned, but is it fair to expose the other prisoners to them?
8. Cassidy and Nicole argue over Cassidy’s pursuit of ratings. Is it difficult to be moral and be ambitious in your business?
9. Nicole discovers she has breast cancer. Has breast cancer touched your life? Have you ever considered joining a group who helps those dealing with a life challenge?
10. Cassidy struggles with feeling lonely and empty. Do you know people like Cassidy? What would be the best thing Cassidy could do to help herself?
11. Lindsay is another person who may or may not be to blame for her actions. Have you ever dealt with someone with an addiction? How many times should you forgive an addict? Does tough love work? Was Donna wrong for turning her daughter away? Should Allison have taken Lindsay in? Would your answers be different if Allison and Marshall had a child?
Introducing the new supernatural series from
Lis Wiehl
with Pete Nelson
Waking Hours
BOOK ONE
in the
EAST SALEM TRILOGY
Starting Fall 2011, Lis Wiehl unveils an entirely new fiction series that will alternate between future Triple Threat novels.
TO FIND OUT MORE, VISIT
LISWIEHLBOOKS.COM
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 45
CHAPTER 46
CHAPTER 47
CHAPTER 48
CHAPTER 49
CHAPTER 50
CHAPTER 51
CHAPTER 52
CHAPTER 53
CHAPTER 54
CHAPTER 55
CHAPTER 56
CHAPTER 57
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
READING GROUP GUIDE
Heart of Ice Page 27