by Rick Mofina
Reed held Ann’s hand and stroked her cheek. The paramedic prepared her stethoscope and blood pressure equipment.
“Ann, they’re both dead,” Reed said. “We know all about them. The police will talk to you at the hospital.”
Ann nodded. Then, on the brink of hysteria, she began sobbing.
“Tom, oh, Tom. Del wanted to—I was chained to the tree—he was getting ready to ra—” Ann covered her mouth. “Then John came up behind and cut his throat. I saw the knife just slice him, then—”
Reed caressed her head, pulling back so the paramedic could take her pressure, then shine a penlight in her eyes. “Looking good so far, Ann.”
Ann blinked.
When the paramedic removed Ann’s shoes to check her feet, a small object slipped from the toe of the right one. The paramedic caught it
“Goodness, this looks important.”
The paramedic passed it to her. Ann’s face brightened at the sight of the piece of jewelry that had been her lifeline, her talisman since she’d picked it up from the jewelry store that terrible day. Ann smiled, pressing it into Reed’s hand. “This is for you. For our anniversary.”
It was a small gold pocket watch with a fine chain.
Reed ran his fingers over its design.
“Open it,” she said.
He popped it and read the inscription.
For all time. Love, Ann.
Tears rolled down his face.
Ann pulled Tom to her and they held each other as sirens wailed and the morning sun climbed in the eastern sky.
A NOTE TO THE READER
I hope you enjoyed No Way Back, and will read the other four books in the Tom Reed Series – If Angels Fall, Cold Fear, Blood of Others and Be Mine. My thanks to Inspector Ed Erdelatz, San Francisco Homicide Detail (Ret.), Peggy Hill, Wendy Dudley, Mildred Marmur, Jeff Aghassi, Peter Bloch, Ann LaFarge, Laurie Parkin, Steve Zacharius, Doug Mendini, Joan Schulhafer, and everyone at Kensington. And to Barbara, Laura, and Michael. A very special thanks to Donna Riddell, John and Jeannine Rosenberg. My thanks to booksellers everywhere, who make it all happen.
And to you, the reader, I hope you enjoyed the trip.
Thank you very much for your time, for without you, a book remains an untold tale. Thank you for setting your life on pause and taking the journey. I deeply appreciate my audience around the world and those who’ve been with me since the beginning who keep in touch. Thank you all for your very kind words. I hope you enjoyed the ride and will check out my earlier books while watching for my next one. I welcome your feedback. Drop by at http://www.rickmofina.com/, subscribe to my newsletter and send me a note.
Rick Mofina
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rick Mofina is a former crime reporter and the award-winning author of several acclaimed thrillers. He’s interviewed murderers face-to-face on death row; patrolled with the LAPD and the RCMP. His true crime articles have appeared in The New York Times, Marie Claire, Reader’s Digest and Penthouse. He’s reported from the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, Qatar and Kuwait's border with Iraq.
His short stories have been selected for anthologies by Michael Connelly, Peter Robinson, Ed Gorman, the Mystery Writers of America and the United Kingdom's Crime Writers Association. The International Thriller Writers, The Private Eye Writers of America and The Crime Writers of Canada have listed Rick Mofina's titles as being among the best in the world.
His books have been published in nearly 30 countries and have been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.
CONTACT THE AUTHOR
Rmofina @ gmail.com
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or at my Website http://www.rickmofina.com/
Also by Rick Mofina
FULL TILT
WHIRLWIND
INTO THE DARK
THEY DISAPPEARED
THE BURNING EDGE
IN DESPERATION
THE PANIC ZONE
VENGEANCE ROAD
SIX SECONDS
A PERFECT GRAVE (Jason Wade #3)
EVERY FEAR (Jason Wade #2)
THE DYING HOUR (Jason Wade #1)
BE MINE
NO WAY BACK
BLOOD OF OTHERS
COLD FEAR
IF ANGELS FALL
THE ONLY HUMAN (Young Adult Fantasy Thriller)
THREE TO THE HEART (Anthology)
DANGEROUS WOMEN & DESPERATE MEN (Anthology)