by Alexa Grace
“Not really. After surgery, we plan to recuperate at a resort in the Bahamas. Our things are going to Goodwill, so others may enjoy them. We are making a fresh start with a new identity, new faces, and a new home. We don’t know where we will end up. It might be somewhere in the United States, or even in Europe.” Gently, he placed Tisha’s hand in his. “I do know that as long as we are together, things will be okay.”
Krystle emerged from the house, unfolded a long table, and then covered it with a white tablecloth.
Glancing at her curiously, Tisha asked, “What are you doing?”
“I’m getting this place ready for your guests.”
“What guests? What are you talking about?”
Mollie, carrying a huge bowl of potato salad, approached the patio with Hailey, bringing a platter of sliced meats. Bryan leapt from his chair to help them.
“Mr. and Mrs. Lucas,” Mollie began. “I’d like you to meet my daughter, Hailey.”
Hailey smiled and wiggled her fingers as a shy wave to the older couple.
“Did I hear the word ‘guests?’” asked Mollie. “Then for once in my life, I’m at the right place at the right time.”
While Hailey and Krystle arranged the food on the table, Mollie sunk into the chair next to Tisha and squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry that we didn’t get to know each other sooner. But I understand why you need to go.” Slipping her arm around Tisha’s shoulder, she embraced her and then prepared to leave. “Hailey and I need to go back to town and get ready for the lunch crowd. You’re both in our prayers. Please be safe in your travels.”
Bryan followed them to the side of the house, where Mollie told Hailey to go to the truck.
“Bryan, have you told Cam about the two of us?”
“No, with everything going on, there hasn’t been a good time.”
“I understand. But please tell him soon. He needs to hear the news from you, not someone else.”
“I will, honey. I promise.” He pulled her into his arms and slowly, lazily, never breaking eye contact, he lowered his mouth to hers.
On the back patio, Krystle placed a fresh pitcher of iced tea on the table, along with some plastic drink cups, before hurrying toward the house. “I hear the doorbell. I’ll go see who it is.”
Soon she came out with Anthony and Bobbie Cooke. Anthony moved toward Bradley with his hand outstretched. “I’m Anthony Cooke, and this is my wife, Bobbie.”
Her hand flying to her chest, Tisha exclaimed, “Oh, my Lord. Aren’t you Destiny’s parents?”
Bobbie embraced the shocked woman and sat down on the other side of her. “Anthony and I are members of a support group for the families of murder victims. We’ve shared a lot, and learned a lot in the past few months. One of the things we learned is that if you don’t practice forgiveness, you just might be the one who pays most dearly—like Mr. Engle. The poor man became so wrapped up in the violence of the past that he failed to enjoy the present.” She glanced at her husband for a moment. “My husband and I are determined not to make his mistake. It didn’t happen overnight, but we forgive your sons for taking our Destiny. Our daughter would never have wanted her parents to wallow in their grief and anger. As for you and your husband, there is no need for forgiveness. I’m sure you loved your sons as much as we loved Destiny. You did what all of us parents do, you raise them the best you can, and hope for the best.”
Eyes wide with shock, lips trembling, Tisha was trying to find the words to speak, when a beautiful blond-haired woman emerged from the house, hand-in-hand with a young man that resembled Cameron Chase. She placed a platter of barbequed chicken on the table, and greeted the small group.
“My name is Kaitlyn Reece. This hot man standing beside me is my fiancé, Gabe Chase.” Gabe grinned and slipped his arm around her waist.
Recognition played out on Tisha’s face. “You sent the letter.”
Bradley was puzzled. “What letter?”
Kaitlyn answered. “I mailed a letter instead of coming here to tell you what I had to say in person. I’d like to rectify that. I am so sorry about the threatening notes and damage to your house and business, because of a man seeking retribution for the acts of your sons. That was so unfair, and I’m sorry it happened.” Kaitlyn paused to clear her throat. “I know you grieve for your sons as much as I grieve for my sister, Abby. I’m sure you loved them just as much. You are not responsible for what happened. Only your sons are. I’m sure you raised them as best you could and wanted them to become good men. I don’t think what was broken in them was anyone’s fault. Certainly not yours. Again, I’m sorry.”
Krystle led a man and two children onto the patio. The little boy and girl recognized Cameron and flew to him. He lifted each to his lap and smiled.
“I’m Tom Engle, and those two using Sgt. Chase as a human jungle gym are my twins, Marianne and Oliver. If anyone should say he’s sorry, it’s me not Kaitlyn. I loved my dad, but that didn’t mean I didn’t know his shortcomings. Dad spent his life getting even for slights and perceived insults that other people would just blow off. I lost count of how many fist fights he had or jobs he lost because of his quick temper.”
Bradley pulled out a chair for Tom to sit down.
“We lost Marie around the same time that Dad was diagnosed with cancer. By the time the docs found the cancer, it was too late. It’s no excuse what he did, but I think the two events were too much for him. He lost it, but I had no idea how far gone he was. I would never have dreamed he was obsessed with Marie’s murder and getting even with her killers’ parents. If I’d known, I would have found a way to stop him.”
It was Bradley’s turn to talk. “We don’t blame your dad. If he had lived, neither of us would have pressed charges.”
“What? He terrorized your wife and burned down your business.”
Bradley glanced at Tisha. “Tisha refused to file a complaint, and I understood and respected her decision. As for me, I should have had that damn storage business torn down like they did Ariel Castro’s house in Cleveland, long before your father burned it to the ground.”
“If my dad had learned to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge, he’d be here now enjoying his grandkids with what time he had left.”
Bobbie picked up little Marianne and held her close. “I think it’s important to be grateful for what we have and not sad about what we don’t. I’m thankful that Sgt. Chase introduced Anthony and me to you and your adorable children. You don’t know how much we enjoy taking care of them while you are at work, Tom. We’re thankful we are part of your lives.”
Oliver found his way to Tisha’s chair and placed a small toy truck in her lap. He held out his little arms to her and for a fractured second, she was thrown back in time when her sons were children and wanted to be held. Wincing, she pushed the memory aside for another day, and she pulled the little boy before her into her arms.
Dear Reader:
If you liked Profile of Retribution, I would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy this book too by recommending it to your friends, family and book clubs by writing an honest, positive review.
If you do write a review, please send me an email at [email protected]. I’d like to add you to my e-newsletter list so that you can get updates about upcoming releases first, be eligible for drawings for prizes, and get free ebook alerts.
Thank you.
Alexa Grace
P.S. If you should find a mistake, please notify me. I always strive to write the best book possible and use a team of beta readers as well as two editors prior to publication. But goofs slip through. If something slipped past us, please let me know by writing to me at [email protected]. Thank you.
The Profile Series by Alexa Grace
Profile of Evil (Book One)
Carly Stone is a brilliant FBI agent who’s seen more than her share of evil. Leaving the agency, she becomes a consultant for Indiana County Sheriff Brody Chase, who needs her profiling skills to catch an online sex predator wh
o is luring preteen girls to their death in his community.
A life hangs in the balance, and the two rushes stop the most terrifying killer of their careers—and time is running out.
Profile of Terror (Book Two)
Social media sites are the playground for twin sexual predators and are the last stops for three young women. When an ex-girlfriend goes missing, Private Investigator Gabe Chase is obsessed with finding her. Once her lifeless body is discovered, her gorgeous and accusing older sister is the distraction Gabe doesn’t need as the body count increases and he hunts down the killers.
Coming in late 2015 Profile of Fear (Book Four)
A body found by a trash collector catapults Detective Cameron Chase into the unspeakable world of human sexual trafficking. His county is the last place anyone would consider for sex trafficking, and that’s just what the traffickers are counting on.
Other Books by Alexa Grace
From USA TODAY Bestselling Author Alexa Grace, The Deadly Series, four books with non-stop suspense and a healthy dose of toe-curling passion will have you holding your breath from the first page to the last.
Deadly Offerings (Book One)
Anne Mason thinks she’ll be safe living in the Midwest living on a wind farm left to her by her ex’s mother. She may be dead wrong. Someone is dumping bodies in her corn field and telling Anne they are gifts—for her! And how can she be falling in love with the hot attorney who represented her ex-husband in their divorce proceedings?
Deadly Deception (Book Two)
Enter the disturbing world of illegal adoptions, baby trafficking and murder with new detective Lane Hansen and private investigator Frankie Douglas. Going undercover as husband and wife, Lane and Frankie struggle to keep their relationship strictly professional as their sizzling passion threatens to burn out of control. Can they keep passion in control long enough to take down two murderers?
Deadly Relations (Book Three)
Detective Jennifer Brennan, still haunted by her abduction five years before, devotes her life to serve and protect others. Love is the last thing on her mind, but will it find her after three young women go missing and are found murdered on her watch and she vows to find the killer—or die trying.
Deadly Holiday (Book Four)
If you liked Deadly Offerings, Deadly Deception and Deadly Relations, you’ll LOVE this nail-biting, holiday-themed novella where the characters return to search for a lost boy, fight breast cancer, deal with the personal financial impact of a bad economy, and seek a Christmas miracle.
Alexa Grace’s Deadly Boxed Set
With more than 1,000 five-star reviews, it’s time for you to discover the three Deadly Series books: Deadly Offerings, Deadly Deception and Deadly Relations.
For more information, go to http://www.authoralexagrace.com
About the Author – Alexa Grace
USA Today Bestselling Author, Alexa Grace began her writing journey in March 2011 when the Sr. Director position she’d held for thirteen years was eliminated. A door closed but another one opened. She finally had the time to pursue her childhood dream of writing books. Her focus is now on writing riveting romantic suspense novels including her popular Deadly Series: Deadly Offerings, Deadly Deception, Deadly Relations and Deadly Holiday.
Readers are describing her new Profile Series (Profile of Evil and Profile of Terror) as “edge of your seat reading from page one to the end”. Profile of Fear (Book 4 of the Profile Series) will be released in winter 2015.
An Indiana native, Alexa divides her time between Indiana and Florida. She has a daughter and four Miniature Schnauzers, three of which are rescues. As a writer, she is fueled by Starbucks lattes, chocolate and communicating with her street team and readers.
You can visit her website at – http://authoralexagrace.com
Subscribe to her newsletter at – http://eepurl.com/sJ-Df
Friend her on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexaGrace
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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
Epilogue
Dear Reader
The Profile Series by Alexa Grace
Other Books by Alexa Grace
About the Author – Alexa Grace