Wink of an Eye (34 page)

It was an exposé of our investigation, emphasizing a twelve-year-old's tenacity and his father's bravery. It may never win her that Pulitzer, but it won my heart. Ryce was a hero and Tatum now had the proof framed and ready to hang on the living room wall.

Burke sniffled as he read the article. He turned away, embarrassed at the tears spilling from his eyes. “You did good,” he said, brushing his hands across his face. “Real good. He's going to like this.”

Sophia smiled tenderly. “I'm glad you're pleased. And this is for you,” she said, handing me the other envelope.

I opened it and laughed. “Office spaces for lease,” I said, reading the local real estate printout.

“In case you ever get licensed in Texas,” she said, smiling.

I peeked in the envelope, then pulled out the brochures that were still in it. There were several for apartment complexes in Odessa, and even a few in Kermit.

“In case you want to stick close to home,” she said softly.

I looked up at Tatum, still digging his way to China, and smiled. He brushed his bangs to the side, then wiped sweat from his brow. He really did need a haircut. Maybe I could take him tomorrow.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LYNN CHANDLER WILLIS
is the first woman to win the PWA Competition in more than ten years. She has worked in the corporate world, the television news business, and the newspaper industry. She was born, raised, and continues to live in the heart of North Carolina within walking distance of her children, their spouses, and her nine grandchildren. She shares her home, and heart, with Sam the cocker spaniel. She lives in Randleman, North Carolina.

Visit her Web site at
www.lynnchandlerwillis.com
.

 

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

 

A THOMAS DUNNE BOOK FOR MINOTAUR BOOKS.

An imprint of St. Martin's Publishing Group.

 

WINK OF AN EYE.
Copyright © 2014 by Lynn Chandler Willis. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

 

www.thomasdunnebooks.com

www.minotaurbooks.com

 

Cover design by David Baldeosingh Rotstein

 

Cover photograph by Andrew Butler

 

eBooks may be purchased for business or promotional use. For information on bulk purchases, please contact Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department by writing to [email protected].

 

The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

 

Chandler-Willis, Lynn, 1960-

    Wink of an eye: a mystery / Lynn Chandler Willis.

        pages  cm

    ISBN 978-1-250-05319-0 (hardcover)

    ISBN 978-1-4668-5551-9 (e-book)

  1.  Private investigators—Fiction.   2.  Fathers—Death—Fiction.   3.  Murder—Investigation—Fiction.   4.  Women illegal aliens—Fiction.   5.  Police—Fiction.   6.  Texas—Fiction.   I.  Title.

    PS3603.H357258W56 2014

    813'.6—dc23

2014031501

 

e-ISBN 9781466855519

 

First Edition: November 2014