Critical Diagnosis (19 page)

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
[email protected]
.

Live, Love, Laugh,

Questions for Discussion

1. 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?
   
2. 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?
   
3. 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?
   
4. 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?
   
5. 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?
   
6. 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?
   
7. In some cases, gambling becomes a strong addiction that overtakes a person’s life and finances. Discuss other potential reasons gambling can be destructive.
   
8. 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?
   
9. 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?
   
10. 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?
    
11. 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?
    
12. Lily continued to pursue her research while her life was at stake. Have you ever pursued a just cause in the face of opposition?
    
13. 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?
    
14. 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?
    
15. 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.

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ONE

C
ara 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.”

She gave a small nod of the head. “Understood, sir.”

A hint of a smile passed his lips. “You up to the job?”

“Absolutely, sir.”

He took a step backward and gave her one final look up and down.

“Report to B wing, Fort Carson, tomorrow, 0900 hours. Tell them you’re assigned to Operation Triton. Don’t be late.”

“Yes, sir.”

She saluted, but he had already turned to stride back down the hill.

Colonel Gantry smiled at her. “Trust me, Sergeant. His bark is a lot worse than his bite.”

* * *

Dean paced the briefing room where his men would soon assemble.
Correction,
he said in his head,
men and woman
. He opened Sergeant Hanson’s personnel file on the desk, despite having read it several times already. His admiration for her had increased considerably on reading that she had successfully taken out a suicide bomber in Baghdad, saving the lives of hundreds of civilians—an act for which she received the Army Commendation Medal.

He had been taken aback the previous day, seeing her skills for himself, the way she was so patient, waiting for the target to appear, her discipline in lying low, never once giving away her position. He had to admit that it was an impressive display of exquisite marksmanship.
If only she wasn’t a woman,
he couldn’t help thinking. He had no objection to women serving in the military; he just wasn’t sure of his own ability to serve alongside them. His instinct was to protect women and shield them from danger. It was something he’d done during his entire teenage years, having continually guarded his mother and sister from his violent bully of a father. As he grew into a strong, muscled young man, he was able to use his own power to counteract that of his father’s, but the image of his mother and sister cowering from yet another of his dad’s drunken rages had been burned into his mind. By the time he was sixteen, he’d developed such a strong protective instinct that he knew his path lay in the military, serving those who needed defending the most. To wear the green beret was his one true desire, the ultimate symbol of male strength and prowess. Sergeant Hanson may be the best sniper for this job but, in his world, it was men who provided the safe havens. And the one person he wanted to place at the center of his safe haven at that moment was Cara Hanson herself. She had awakened feelings that he would need to guard against.

A knock on the open door broke through his thoughts. He closed the file and pushed it to one side, along with his feelings.

Cara Hanson stood in the doorway, her bright blue eyes staring straight ahead as she saluted.

“Sergeant Hanson, reporting for duty, sir.”

He flicked his eyes over her body, which appeared even smaller in stature than the previous day. She looked very different without the ghillie suit and was wearing standard-issue fatigues. He was now able to see her face in its fullness, sun kissed and healthy. Her shiny blond hair was neatly tied in a ponytail, highlighting her high cheekbones and Cupid’s-bow mouth. As a deep, primal emotion stirred within him, he wondered if he had made a grave mistake in allowing her to enter his perfectly ordered domain.

“At ease, Sergeant. Come in, take a seat.”

Two more soldiers entered the room, and Dean rose purposefully.

“Sergeant Hanson, I would like you to meet Sergeants Gomez and Hicks. We’ll be operating as a four-man team for this mission.” He looked toward the two male sergeants, who were exchanging looks of surprise while shaking Cara’s hand.

“Sergeant Hanson has been granted special dispensation to serve, on a one-off basis, as a combat sniper for this mission,” he explained.

Female operatives were a rare species in Special Forces and he knew she would be regarded with curiosity. Even he was curious about her but he knew that, within forty-eight hours, she would be back in her regiment and out of his life.
Keep it professional. Don’t get too involved
. That was his mantra.

The soldiers took their seats, and Dean handed them a photograph of a man wearing the same distinctive green beret as each of the men in the room.

“This,” he said, “is your target.”

He heard a collective gasp from the room.

He raised his eyes to his team. “This is Major Christopher Moore from Tenth Special Forces Group. Twelve months ago, he infiltrated a terrorist cell in Ohio with the intention of supplying information back to the U.S. Government regarding intended targets. Six months ago he went rogue and disappeared from our radar. Intelligence has confirmed that he’s turned against us and is now assisting the cell, helping them purchase illegal weapons and bomb-making equipment. In short, he’s gone to the Dark Side.”

Sergeant Hicks raised his hand. “How do we know this for certain, sir?”

“The terrorist cell in Ohio was raided three months ago by the military. Secret documents recovered there confirmed our worst fears. They state that Major Moore revealed himself as a spy and pledged his allegiance to the group.” Dean walked to the desk at the front of the small, windowless room and placed the photograph on it. His shoulders dropped. “Major Moore used to be my commanding officer. We trained together. I would never have believed he could turn his back on the Green Berets, but there is no place for sentiment in this mission. He is a very dangerous and wily enemy. We’ve been trying to track him ever since the raid in Ohio, and we finally have our shot at taking him out.”

Cara raised her hand.

“Yes, sergeant,” he responded.

“Is termination the only option here?” she asked. “Could we not take him into custody?”

Dean sighed heavily. “Sergeant, if that was an option I would take it. Major Moore is a highly trained Special Forces soldier and won’t come in without a fight. We know he’ll be taking part in a weapons-smuggling operation tomorrow in the Four Corners region. These weapons are seriously powerful, capable of killing hundreds in one deadly swoop. We can’t risk his escape. I’m afraid we have no choice.”

He felt his chest tighten, and his heart heaved. He straightened his back. “It’s always difficult when faced with a soldier who’s turned his back on his country, but this man is no longer on our side. He is no longer a patriot. He is a terrorist, so let’s put personal feelings to one side.”

Easier said than done,
he thought. Major Chris Moore had been his loyal friend as well as his commanding officer. He’d thought Chris was a man of honor, a man of integrity, a man of faith. But he’d been wrong, wrong to believe that God’s plan would spare him the pain of facing his best friend as an enemy in combat. After months of prayer, he’d eventually reasoned that God had turned His back on him, and he would need to trust in his own judgment rather than wait for a Heavenly answer that would never come. He turned to his soldiers and drew a deep breath.

“We reconvene at 0600 tomorrow morning for Q&A. Read your brief, get some rest and prepare your minds.”

His eyes scanned the three soldiers and came to rest on Cara. He watched her for a few seconds as she studied the photograph intently, her face betraying a sadness that she’d successfully locked tightly away from view. Her face was open, readable and it momentarily mesmerized him. She looked up and caught his eyes upon her, and he felt her gaze penetrating his shell to the tortured core within. He quickly looked away and walked purposefully from the room, creating a draft that caught the loose strands of hair falling around her cheeks.

Glancing back from the doorway, he wondered what thoughts were going through her head. They were revealed to him when he saw her finger trace the smile of the young soldier in the photograph, before she hung her head to her chest. In that moment he felt a kinship with her that he’d never experienced before.

* * *

Cara steadied her hands as she pulled camouflage netting over the small army jeep. She was nervous, more nervous than she had ever been. She reached into the neckline of her suit and took out the silver cross which she wore around her neck. She held it in her fingers for just a second before tucking it securely back inside.

“Sergeant, it was clear on the briefing that no form of jewelry is permitted on this mission. Dog tags only.”

She looked over to Captain McGovern, who was staring at her sternly. The whites of his eyes shone against the black smears on his face. Yet beneath the tension on that face, his handsome features still clearly stood out. She tried not to notice but it was hard. She may be an elite sniper but she was still a woman.