Toni Mathewson, through the ups and downs of life (of which there have been too many), we are a constant. Not a cross word in over twenty-five years. I’m lucky to have such a true and wonderful friend.
To Vikki Brook, you have seen me at my best and worst and still talk to me. Thanks for your friendship and loyalty for over . . . it would have to be twenty years, wouldn’t it?
To Stacey Bannon, we grew up in the same street, played together, went our own ways, then came back together, both as cops working in the same section. Funny how life put us back on the same path.
Thanks, too, to Deanne Conway, my oldest friend, even though you’re twelve days younger than me. We’ve been together since we were six and were ‘besties’ at school. We made a pact to become policewomen together until you pulled out and decided teaching was a safer option. Who was the smart one? Still not sure. Thanks for so many good times . . .
And last but certainly not least, I want to thank my family.
To Mum, the late Lynne Gumbley (Wilding) for being a beautiful, loving mother and grandmother to my girls, but for also suggesting I put pen to paper. By encouraging me to write my police stories down I discovered, like you, that I loved to write. You always said I could do anything I put my mind to. Who would have thought? Without you this book wouldn’t exist. I miss you.
To Dad, John Gumbley. Thanks for so many things, but mostly your unconditional love and support throughout my life. Your blind bias and belief that I would get there in the end kept me striving towards my dream. You have never doubted my ability, even when I doubted myself.
To my brother Brett, thanks for putting up with a sister like me.
To my daughters, Liah and Tara, for being beautiful girls, making me a very proud mum and allowing me the time to do what I love.
Most of all I’d like to thank my husband, Stuart Sweeney, for keeping me up to date with changes in police procedures and the like, though mainly for always being there with constant love, patience, and understanding. And for keeping me sane . . . Well, most of the time.
Thank you, too, to everyone I know, or anyone I have met, who whispered a word of encouragement along the long road to publication. You may not realise it but it does make a difference.
And to my readers, thank you for choosing my book among the multitudes of crime novels out there. I’m privileged and honoured that you would take the time to read my story. I hope you enjoy it. And please feel free to drop me a line at www.karenmdavis.com. I’d love to hear from you.
All mistakes are mine. The story and characters are fictional.
Karen M. Davis
SINISTER INTENT
First published in Australia in 2013 by
Simon & Schuster (Australia) Pty Limited
Suite 19A, Level 1, 450 Miller Street, Cammeray, NSW 2062
www.SimonandSchuster.com
A CBS Company
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Visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.au
© Karen Davis 2013
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.
National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry
Author: Davis, Karen Michelle
Title: Sinister intent/Karen Michelle Davis
ISBN: 9781922052520 (pbk.)
ISBN-13: 978-1-9220-5254-4 (eBook)
Subjects: Detective and mystery stories.
Dewey Number: A823.4
Cover design and photographs: Blue Cork
Internal design and typesetting: Midland Typesetters, Australia
Printed and bound in Australia by Griffin Press
The paper used to produce this book is a natural, recyclable product made from wood grown in sustainable plantation forests. The manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations in the country of origin.
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