The Echo of Violence (26 page)

“Thanks, Sam. I will.”

Her past never went away. For the first time in her life, Jessie had a future and prospects working for the Sentinels. She wasn’t just a bounty hunter drifting from case to case living in a crappy apartment on the fringe of society in Chicago. And since Seth Harper had nudged his way into her life, she also felt good about herself. He had known about her past and accepted her. The scars she carried on her body and soul weren’t an issue with a guy like Harper.

So why now
? Why did this damned cold case in Wisconsin have to bite her in the ass now?

It scared her to think that her only memory of someone who might be her mother may have been wrong. Was she ready to kill the only good thing she remembered of her past?

“I can never catch a damn break,” she muttered as she got out of bed.

Dressed in a tank top and boxers, Jessie trudged into her living room and logged onto her laptop to look for a flight to Chicago that would work. She had breakfast plans with Alexa Marlowe that she could still make on her way to LaGuardia. Her new partner would need to be in the loop that she was leaving town, but Alexa didn’t need to know everything.

Very few people knew the details about the nightmare of her childhood ordeal and she preferred to keep it that way.

Two hours later

Norma’s restaurant in Midtown West was packed. Bright and bustling, the place had high ceilings, wood paneling, and silver-edged tables that gave a modern yet comfortable feel. It was a popular cafe for breakfast and lunch, located in the Parker Meridien Hotel lobby. Norma’s was too expensive and trendy for Jessie’s taste, but Alexa knew her partner had suggested it for her sake. Being a former bounty hunter, Jessie had dealt with the dregs of humanity and would have been satisfied with any hole-in-the-wall greasy spoon.

When she arrived, she noticed Jessie had gotten there early and scored a table, a small carafe of coffee, and two shot glasses of the restaurant’s complimentary smoothie du jour. After her partner waved her over, it didn’t take Alexa long to notice the carry-on luggage under the table.

“Planning on staying the week? The blueberry pancakes are good, but come on,” she joked to cover up her surprise…and disappointment.

“I’m heading for the airport. Going to Chicago. Something personal has come up.” Dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, Jessie leaned across the table. “I know this is short notice, but I don’t have a choice.”

Alexa narrowed her eyes and dropped her smile. “Anything I can do?”

“No, nothing.” Jessie shook her head. “I’ve got it covered.”

Jessie had hesitated enough to tell Alexa her trip to Chicago wouldn’t be for pleasure.

“And I’m guessing you probably don’t want to talk about it.”

“Bingo.” Jessie grabbed her coffee cup and hid behind it.

Her partner was a woman with secrets and Alexa respected her privacy. The scar over her eyebrow had a story behind it, one she’d never been privileged to hear. Even though not too long ago Alexa had gotten a glimpse into something Jessie had barely survived as a child, her partner had never confided in her and she hadn’t pushed.

And Alexa also guessed Jessie had feelings for computer genius Seth Harper. Maybe her trip had something to do with Harper. The guy was a new recruit for the Sentinels, but he’d opted to stay in Chicago rather than move to New York so he could stick close to his mentally deteriorating father who lived in a nursing home. That had been her first thoughts about Jessie’s trip, but with her partner she might never know for sure.

“How long will you be gone?” she asked. “I mean, in case something comes up.”

“Maybe a few days. Not long.”

“Okay.” She nodded. “Will you call me if you need anything?”

“Yeah…I’ll do that. So what’s good here?” When Jessie flipped open her menu, her eyes grew wide. “Oh my God! They have a lobster and caviar omelet for a
thousand smackers. Who the hell are they kidding? That’s just…insane.”

As fast as Jessie stuck her nose in the menu and changed the subject, Alexa knew her partner would never take her up on her offer. Jessie had a tough, independent streak. It was one of the things she liked most about her, but sometimes that made it hard for anyone to get inside. As a partner and a friend, Jessie was an acquired taste.

But with Jessie going out of town—completely distracted by her personal agenda—Alexa knew she’d be working with Tanya alone. Once her partner got back and could focus, she might ask for her help, but for now Jessie was out of it. And there was no sense telling her anything about Garrett. She had enough going on in her life without adding the guilt trip of leaving her in the lurch—because that’s exactly how Jessie’s mind worked. She’d feel guilty over something she had no control over.

As if she’d read her mind, Jessie looked up from her menu and said, “You look tired. You getting enough Zs?”

Alexa ran a hand through her blond hair and heaved a sigh as she propped her elbows on the table.

“I’m doing okay.” She lied and forced a smile before she shoved over her empty cup. “Now dose me up and pour me some coffee, will ya?”

And as she expected, Alexa turned her thoughts to Garrett. Something was terribly wrong. As an experienced operative, she sensed it in her bones, especially after talking to Tanya and hearing that Garrett’s top analyst hadn’t heard from him either.

When they were together, he had been an attentive, aggressive lover and had quickly become her obsession. He had unleashed an insatiable need in her and the passion they shared had gone beyond love. Garrett Wheeler had marked her soul. And no matter how hard she had tried to move on without him in her life, she knew that she’d never forget him.

Where are you, Garrett
?

Outside Tampico, Mexico

“Is it…”

“Is it…”

“…him?”

A woman’s voice filtered through the fog in his brain. Her words overlapped like undulating ripples across still water, mixed with the faint, distant echo of a child’s laughter. The sounds nudged his faltering consciousness or tapped into his memory. He didn’t know which. And he had to concentrate to hear anything at all. He didn’t know where he was or how he got there. He barely remembered his own name as his body drifted through the shadows from where he’d come.

When he felt a cool velvet touch on his fevered cheek, he heard a moan, unsure if the sound came from him. He forced his eyes open a crack and caught a glimpse of light. Shadows eclipsed a dim glow, but he was too weak to move. With the drug still too strong in his system, he wavered on the razor’s edge of darkness and took the only comfort he could. He imagined the woman’s voice he had heard morphing into a more
familiar, sultry one and pictured running his fingers through a soft tumble of blond strands as he gazed into pale blue eyes.

His lover’s throaty voice stirred him and her haunting eyes lingered along with a trace of her perfume. He felt her kiss and her whisper in his ear as she trailed a finger down the bare skin of his chest and onto his stomach. Her touch made him flinch and his body reacted.

He wanted her.

He needed her.

And when he willed the beautiful woman to stay—
she did
.

This is the fourth book in the Sweet Justice series and is an Alexa Marlowe story. Many readers have written to say how intrigued they are with her, and as you might imagine, I love hearing from my readers, so thanks for writing. Alexa is a strong, resilient woman who has found a way to thrive in a covert world without sacrificing her feminity…too much. But with something missing in her life, she questions what her future holds. Her journey has been an intriguing one to write. She is much braver than I would ever be, but she’s a woman who would be great to have as a friend. And speaking of friends…

Even though writing is a solitary course, I have been blessed with a wonderful support group of friends who help with the process. For their continued support and invaluable input, I’d like to thank Dana Taylor, Tom Radcliffe, and Joe Collins for their help with this book. I feel lucky that our paths crossed and that I didn’t scare you away. And to the real Deacon, Mrs. Torres, and my dear, sweet husband, who con
tinue to color my life. Who knew such nice people could inspire such devious thoughts? Pass the gingersnaps.

Special thanks to my editor, Lucia Macro, for your spot-on insight into this book, making the story and the characterizations stronger. As always, you rock. And thanks to all the staff at Avon Books who had a hand in this project, with a special shout-out to my terrific agent, Meredith Bernstein. It’s great having you in the trenches.

Last but certainly NOT least, I would like to thank all of you crazy readers who have written me about this series and my other books. I especially love getting e-mails through my website at
www.JordanDane.com
, written in the wee hours of the morning after you’ve finished one of my novels and feel the urge to send me your thoughts in your jammies. You really make my day and I love hearing from you. So please, keep it up. You are the reason I write. And I hope you enjoy Alexa’s story as much as I did writing it. Jackson Kinkaid still haunts my dreams—in a very good way.

Ripped from the headlines,
JORDAN DANE’
s gritty suspense plots weave a tapestry of vivid settings, intrigue, and dark humor. A thrilling ride of mystery and suspense–all in the first degree! She’s a member of Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the International Thriller Writers. Jordan and her husband share their Oklahoma residence with an intelligent canine and two cats of highborn lineage.

www.jordandane.com

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