by L. T. Ryan
Cassie stopped at the foot of the fountain and looked up into the metallic face of the sixteenth president of the United States. Abraham Lincoln: The Man was cast in 1887 and stood twelve feet tall. It depicted the former leader rising from a chair, preparing to give a speech. He holds his lapel and looks down in contemplation. As with most representations of the historical figure, the statue exudes a regal air of quiet intelligence.
Looking into his face reminded Cassie of Lincoln’s complex history. Though many consider him the Great Emancipator, historical evidence suggests that while the president didn’t agree with the institution of slavery on the whole, he also didn’t view Black Americans as equal. As beloved as Lincoln is, and as wonderful as his accomplishments were, he was still only human—full of flaws, contradictions, and secrets.
Cassie turned to Harris. “David left me a letter.”
The detective’s eyes widened. “When?”
“I’m not sure when he wrote it. Lisa gave it to me that day of the funeral.”
There was a beat of silence. “You never told me.”
“I didn’t open it right away.” Cassie found it hard to swallow past the lump in her throat. “I wasn’t sure what to expect. But that last day in New Orleans, I decided to see what it said.”
Harris’ voice was soft. “You don’t have to tell me.”
“He wanted me to.” A pressure settled into Cassie’s chest, and she had to fight to get enough air to speak. “He wanted me to tell you that this wasn’t your fault. That he knew what he was getting into.”
Harris blinked rapidly. When she spoke, there was emotion in her voice. “I don’t understand.”
“I don’t either.” Cassie fought her own tears. “I don’t know what he was talking about. But he said he wanted his secrets to stay buried with him. He wanted me to tell you to let it go.”
“Let it go?” Harris’ voice was no longer soft. “Why?”
“He said it would be better than the truth.” Cassie took a deep breath and blew it out, but it did nothing for the mounting force threatening to steal the air in her lungs. “I’ve never heard him talk this way before.” Her voice shook. “I’m scared.”
Harris looked down at her shoes. Cassie could see the gears turning in her head. “You’re here, which means you won’t try to talk me out of following this lead.”
“No,” Cassie said. “I won’t.”
“We’re in this together.” Harris looked up. A tear had slid down her cheek. “Right?”
Cassie didn’t answer right away. Harris’ question wasn’t a small one. David’s final request meant something to her, and the last thing she wanted was to be disloyal to her friends, in life or in death. But he had clearly gotten himself mixed up in something big. And he hadn’t told Cassie. The sting of that betrayal battled against her fear of learning the truth.
There was no other person on the planet she had revered and respected as much as David, but he was still only human—full of flaws, contradictions, and secrets. The prospect of digging up his skeletons terrified her, but now that she knew they existed, she couldn’t imagine a life where she wouldn’t spend every waking moment wondering where they came from.
Cassie gazed up into Lincoln’s face and then over at Harris’. Their eyes met, and Cassie knew her answer.
“There’s no turning back now.”
Also by L.T. Ryan
Click on a series name or title for more information
The Jack Noble Series
The Recruit (free)
The First Deception (Prequel 1)
Noble Beginnings
A Deadly Distance
Ripple Effect (Bear Logan)
Thin Line
Noble Intentions
When Dead in Greece
Noble Retribution
Noble Betrayal
Never Go Home
Beyond Betrayal (Clarissa Abbot)
Noble Judgment
Never Cry Mercy
Deadline
End Game
Noble Ultimatum (Coming May 2021)
Bear Logan Series
Ripple Effect
Blowback
Take Down
Deep State
Rachel Hatch Series
Drift
Downburst
Fever Burn
Smoke Signal
Firewalk
Whitewater - March 2021
Mitch Tanner Series
The Depth of Darkness
Into The Darkness
Deliver Us From Darkness (Summer 2021)
Cassie Quinn Series
Path of Bones
Whisper of Bones
Symphony of Bones
Etched in Shadow (September 2021)
Blake Brier Series
Unmasked
Unleashed (January 2021)
Untitled (April 2021)
Affliction Z Series
Affliction Z: Patient Zero
Affliction Z: Abandoned Hope
Affliction Z: Descended in Blood
Affliction Z : Fractured Part 1
Affliction Z: Fractured Part 2 (Fall 2021)
About the Author
L.T. Ryan is a USA Today and international bestselling author. The new age of publishing offered L.T. the opportunity to blend his passions for creating, marketing, and technology to reach audiences with his popular Jack Noble series.
Living in central Virginia with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and their three dogs, L.T. enjoys staring out his window at the trees and mountains while he should be writing, as well as reading, hiking, running, and playing with gadgets. See what he’s up to at http://ltryan.com.
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