Critical Diagnosis (Love Inspired Suspense)

by Alison Stone

  “Do you ever wonder if Talia would have gotten caught up in this if Kara hadn’t sabotaged her chances of getting into the Ph.D. program?”

  “I have. I don’t know what Kara was thinking.” She swatted at a dirt mark on her shorts where Chloe’s sneaker had touched. “Maybe Kara was jealous of Talia’s academic success. Regardless, she apologized to Talia and decided to leave town for a while. I think she’s taking a few classes at a local college. I think Talia forgave her. Now Kara will have to forgive herself.”

  “Is Talia going to enroll in the Ph.D. program this fall?” James tugged at his collar. The spring sun was surprisingly warm.

  “Talia needs time to heal.”

  “How’s Mrs. York? Has she been able to keep the house clean?” James and Lily had hired professionals to work with the elderly woman to get the junk cleaned out of her house.

  “Talia says she has.” Lily curled her bare toes into the green grass. “I hadn’t heard Talia sound as hopeful as she did today. She also mentioned they were going to church. I think things will come together for them.”

  James kissed her forehead. “You’re a good person, you know that?”

  Lily laughed. “I hope so. You married me.” She spun her rings around her finger. He had given her the diamond ring his father had given his mother on their engagement.

  “I wish my cousin had as bright a future.” A dark cloud passed behind James’s eyes.

  Lily reached out and ran her thumb across the smooth flesh of the back of his hand. “I’m sorry. I know your grandparents were estranged from Stephanie’s mother, but I really thought Stephanie felt welcomed. Part of the family.”

  James released a breath, as if he were cleansing himself of any dark thoughts. “It was her gambling habit that led her down this path. She owed money to some bad people. She figured stealing from Medlink was an easy way to pay them back.” He covered her hand with his and squeezed. “But it kept snowballing, especially once Frank Smith started blackmailing her. It’s a shame, really. My grandparents are devastated.

  “Well, I’m glad they didn’t delay their plans to travel. But my grandmother has been complaining my grandfather keeps calling the office. I suppose he’s still getting used to the idea that an O’Reilly isn’t running the company.” With Stephanie out of the picture and James deciding to run the clinic full-time, his grandfather had promoted one of their trusted vice presidents within the company to the position of CEO.

  “The O’Reillys still own Medlink. That will have to be enough for now.”

  “My grandfather’s holding out hope for the next generation.” James squeezed her hand again. Contentedness whispered across her consciousness and settled in her heart.

  “Thank goodness Frank was only bluffing when he claimed to have the files on Regen. He was trying to manipulate Talia into silence and blackmail Stephanie.” Lily crossed her arms and drew her shoulders up to her ears. “I don’t even want to imagine what would have happened if my research had been compromised.”

  A soccer ball whizzed by and crashed into his ankles. He bent and picked up the ball when Chloe yelled, “No hands, Daddy.”

  He dropped the ball and kicked it toward their daughter. “I’m so happy Chloe’s adjusted so well. She’s been through a lot for a little kid.”

  “You’re a great father. Mrs. Benson knew what she was doing when she asked you to make sure her granddaughter had a good home.” Lily thought her heart would explode as she watched James track the movements of his daughter, the love for her apparent on his face.

  He wrapped his arm around Lily’s waist and pulled her closer. “You’re a great mom.”

  “Something I never thought I’d be.”

  “Hey.” He ran his knuckle down her cheek, his voice deep and soothing. “We’re going to have more children. We’re going to fill this yard with little O’Reillys.”

  “I never thought I’d be a mom or a wife. You made me realize there was more to life than work.” Lily tilted her face into his touch. “I can’t believe Regen is now showing signs of actually curing patients.”

  God is good.

  “Maybe someday we’ll be ready to have another child.” He placed his hand on her stomach. “Or maybe we’ll adopt again. Or both.”

  Lily playfully tapped James’s arm. “How many children do you plan on having?”

  James laughed. “As many as God blesses us with. I trust in His plan.”

  Lily placed her hands on his cheeks and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I trust Him, too.”

  Lily brushed her hand across James’s hair, grown a little longer now that he was officially retired from the army. He was content to stay in Orchard Gardens and run the clinic full-time now that his grandparents had stopped pressuring him to become CEO of Medlink.

  She stared into his brown eyes, and the thought of having children with him swirled in her mind. Part him. Part her.

  Or another beautiful child just like Chloe would be a blessing.

  Lily’s gaze drifted to her daughter running around in the yard with her green galoshes on. Her daughter. Yes, God had brought Chloe into their lives for a reason.

  Cupping her face in his warm hands, James kissed her back. Tears filled her eyes. Her daughter squealed, and they broke the kiss and both stood staring at her.

  “Look at me. I can push the swing, too.” Chloe smiled brightly.

  “Yes, you can.” James scooped up Chloe to delighted squeals. Lily’s heart filled with joy as the warm spring sun shined down on her family.

  A new beginning...

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from CAUGHT IN THE CROSSHAIRS by Elisabeth Rees.

  Dear Reader,

  The idea for Critical Diagnosis has been bouncing around in my head for a long time. My first job after graduating from Georgia Tech was working as a quality engineer for a large pharmaceutical company. I worked in packaging and had to do everything from checking the torque on a childproof cap (we’ve all experienced the cap that just wouldn’t come off, right?) to ensuring the lot number and expiration date were correct on the label. My job was necessary, but a tad boring. I often envied the researchers, believing their jobs were much more glamorous and certainly more important.

  I didn’t work long at the pharmaceutical company before marriage relocated me back to Buffalo. After a few different engineering jobs, I left corporate America for full-time motherhood. Eventually, I discovered writing.

  Now I get to live vicariously through my heroines in my stories. Not surprisingly, the heroine of Critical Diagnosis is Dr. Lily McAllister, a researcher who has devoted her life to finding a cure for the disease that killed her mother and now afflicts her niece—all while being stalked by a killer.

  A few early readers of Critical Diagnosis asked me to name the disease Lily was researching. I purposely didn’t name the disease for fear the reader wouldn’t believe my heroine had found a treatment or cure for a real disease that currently didn’t have many treatment options. Instead, I referred to the fictional disease as a rare, genetic orphan disease. The term orphan disease stems from the reluctance of some pharmaceutical companies to support research for a disease with a limited population because there is “no money in it.” Sad, but true. (Through my research, I read that more pharmaceutical companies are starting to invest in research for rare diseases due, in part, to patient advocacy, legislation and medical breakthroughs. All great news!) So, if you’re scratching your head wondering what disease Lily cured, it has no name. But rest assured, Lily and her family have a bright future.

  I hope you enjoyed Critical Diagnosis. I love to hear from my readers. Feel free to send me a note at alison@alisonstone.com.

  Live, Love, Laugh,

  Questions for Discussion

  James is conflicted. His grandfather expects him to return
to the fold and become CEO of Medlink Pharmaceutical. However, James, a physician, has his heart in practicing medicine. In this case, do you think James is right to follow his heart or do you think he has an obligation to step in and run the company so his ailing grandfather can retire?

  Lily has spent years doing research to find a cure for the disease that killed her mother and now afflicts her niece. It’s not often someone is in a position to make tremendous strides in finding a cure for a disease that hits so close to home. In what other ways can a family member help someone who is battling a life-threatening disease?

  God loves all His creatures. However, Lily uses lab rats in her research. I learned that these rats are specifically bred for research. Some people feel animal research is necessary to make breakthroughs to help human beings. Other people think research on animals should be avoided at all costs. Others make further distinctions. They find lab rats are okay, but primates are unacceptable. How do you feel about this controversial topic?

  In the course of the story, we learn James’s grandparents had disowned their daughter years ago for having a child outside of marriage. Do you believe tough love is acceptable? Or should the grandparents have been more compassionate?

  Lily learns she, too, carries the gene for the disease that killed her mother. As a result, she is afraid to have children in case she passes the gene on to them. Do you think science and the ability to plan accordingly are good things? Or do you think people need to have more faith in God’s plan?

  Gambling debt plays a role in this story. Some say gambling subscribes to a get-rich-quick appeal, which undermines a person’s work ethic. Do you feel this to be true or can gambling be a fun form of entertainment if done in moderation?

  In some cases, gambling becomes a strong addiction that overtakes a person’s life and finances. Discuss other potential reasons gambling can be destructive.

  Lily’s lab assistant Talia has low self-esteem, allowing the “bad guy” to manipulate her. How can we teach young people to have confidence in themselves so they become leaders and not followers?

  Talia had her plans derailed when she didn’t get into the Ph.D. program. Have you ever had to give up a dream? What other doors opened for you?

  A rash act born of jealousy sets some key events in motion. Why do you think some people are more prone to jealousy than others? Do you think it’s a matter of trusting in God’s abundance?

  James spent time in war-torn countries serving as an army physician. What do you think drives people to perform such selfless acts? Would you be able to put aside your fear to do the same thing?

  Lily continued to pursue her research while her life was at stake. Have you ever pursued a just cause in the face of opposition?

  Growing up, James was heavily influenced by his wealthy grandparents yet he decided to run a free health-care clinic. How can we influence young people to lead a life of service to others?

  Lily and James received their happily-ever-after. That’s one of the reasons readers read romance novels. They have the promise of a happy ending. Why do you read them? Critical Diagnosis also has a suspense element. Why are you drawn to romantic-suspense novels?

  Were you surprised to learn James, Lily and Chloe became an instant family?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

  You enjoy a dash of danger. Love Inspired Suspense stories feature strong heroes and heroines whose faith is central in solving mysteries and saving lives.

  Enjoy four new stories from Love Inspired Suspense every month!

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  ONE

  Cara Hanson lay in the cool grass and lined up the target in her crosshairs.

  The target was moving, searching for her, but she was invisible. Like a cat stalking its prey, she kept her weapon trained on the movement in the undergrowth. This would be an easy shot. She curled her finger around the trigger and smiled as she squeezed.

  She heard the man cry out as he felt the impact on his back, and a deep, red stain appeared on his jacket. She’d got him! A cry of triumph left her lips, and she rose from the bracken like a monster looming from a lair. Her ghillie suit was covered with camouflage netting, making it impossible to tell whether she was man, woman or yeti.

  “Aw, man, these paintballs really sting.” A U.S. Army private crawled out from the thick bushes and clambered to his feet. He turned to Cara standing on the hillside and shouted, “How did you do that? I didn’t have a clue where you were.”

  “And you never will,” she shouted back, laughing.

  The private took off his jacket and laid it on the ground, shaking his head in amazement at the perfect shot, right between the shoulders, just below the head.

  “Nice job,” he called. “Thanks for not taking the head shot.”

  “It didn’t seem fair to fill your ears with paint,” she called back. “It never washes out.”

  She knelt to the ground and removed her standard-issue M24 sniper rifle from its tripod, laying it on the grass beside her.

  “Well-done, Sergeant Hanson,” said a voice in the distance. She looked up to see one of her commanding officers walking toward her. “Your accuracy never fails to astonish me.”

  She rose to her feet, saluting as she did so. “Thank you, sir.”

  “At ease, Sergeant.”

  Colonel Carter Gantry approached her with an outstretched hand. She gave hers and he shook it warmly.

  “Time for me to come clean, Sergeant,” he said, releasing her hand. “There’s a reason for this prolonged target practice today.”

  The colonel extended his hand toward a tall, dark figure in the distance. She’d noticed him watching the hills while she carried out her shooting exercises; saw him continuously scanning the mountainside with binoculars, hoping to search her out. This type of training drill usually employed the use of two spotters. Colonel Gantry had taken the elevated position, but she had not recognized the second spotter on the ground. Turned out, she was about to meet him. He began to walk toward her, and she took the opportunity to observe him, noting his wide shoulders and smooth, confident stride. He was wearing black combat pants and a black T-shirt. The fabric of the shirt stretched against the muscles on his arms, and she suddenly felt diminutive in his presence. His face was weathered; he obviously spent a great deal of time outdoors, and the dark stubble added to his rugged exterior. She squinted against the sun. She couldn’t see his eyes, but she could just make out dark curls extending beneath his green cap. She recognized the beret instantly. This was no ordinary soldier. Only a Special Forces soldier was permitted to wear the distinctive green beret.

  “Sergeant Cara Hanson,” said Colonel Gantry, as the mysterious man came into plain view, “I would like you to meet Captain Dean McGovern.”

  Cara brought her hand up in another salute, as she always did when facing a senior officer. The captain saluted and she stood at ease. She instantly felt uncomfortable when he began to look her up and down with an expression of surprise on his face. Her skin prickled with heat, and tiny beads of sweat ran down her back. She saw his deep, brown eyes assessing her, crinkles appearing at the edges as they caught the sun’s glare.

  He turned to Colonel Gantry. “This is the sniper I’ve been watching all day?”

  The colonel laughed. “Don’t let appearances deceive you, Captain McGovern. Sergeant Hanson may not look fierce but, as you’ve witnessed today, she could take you down with a clean shot any day of the week.”

  The captain rubbed his face with his hands. He led the colonel a few paces away from Cara and lowered
his voice. “She isn’t exactly what I was expecting.” He cast a backward glance at her. “Special Ops isn’t for the fainthearted. I need to be totally sure of her mental toughness.”

  The colonel put his hand on the captain’s shoulder. “Dean, I’ve been asked to provide you with the absolute best sniper that the U.S. military has at its disposal. Sergeant Cara Hanson is that sniper. Don’t underestimate her. She’s one tough cookie.”

  Cara remained standing at ease on the hillside, her knees buried in thick shrubbery. She had experienced this same kind of reaction many times since joining the army seven years ago. She was petite in stature with small, elfinlike features and she knew that she didn’t strike an imposing figure among the other soldiers of her Bobcats regiment. After all, no one was scared of a woman who looked like a Disney princess. But when she stalked her prey through the lens of her rifle, she felt as tough as any of her male colleagues.

  The two men approached her. Captain McGovern’s face was unreadable as he came to stand directly in front of her, his vast shoulders casting an enormous shadow on the grass. She couldn’t help but steal a glance at his face. She saw that his nose was crooked, broken at some point, maybe more than once. His gaze rested upon hers for the tiniest of moments, and she gave a small shiver at the intensity behind his eyes.

  “Sergeant,” he began, “U.S. Special Forces have been given credible information regarding an illegal weapons drop due to take place in a region not far from here. The weapons are destined for a major terrorist organization, who will use them to launch an imminent attack on U.S. soil. We must take out their main man. And fast. We need a sniper who can deliver.” He brought his face inches from hers. His breath was sweet and warm. “You only get one shot.”