Right Call (Sophie Trace Trilogy Book #3)

Kathy Herman

Description

With information that could solve a series of murders but endangers the girl he loves, a college boy grapples with what to do--and whom to trust.Ethan Langley is home for the summer, eager to renew his friendship with Vanessa Jessup and her infant son, Carter. And her parents, Police Chief Brill Jessup and her husband, Kurt, approve: Ethan is thoughtful, kind, hard-working, and ambitious.Before Ethan is even settled, a series of random shootings leaves someone he loves dead. While police are scrambling for suspects, Ethan learns shocking details that could break the case--but it imperils the lives of those he's come to love. Going to the police with what he knows endangers Vanessa and Carter . . . yet not telling them is just as dangerous. He's been dealt a risky hand in a game for which he doesn't know the rules. Will he make the right call?

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 01 mars 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781493421060
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 3 Mo

Extrait

What people are saying about …
The Real Enemy
“Mysterious disappearances, a dangerous legend, and the emotional meltdown of a marriage. Kathy Herman pulls it all together in a riveting story that rockets to a conclusion that will keep you on the edge of your seat.”
Lorena McCourtney, author of Your Chariot Awaits , an ACFW Book of the Year
“A good solid read with enough questions and twists to provide hours of entertainment. I’ll tell my friends to read this book!”
Lauraine Snelling, author of One Perfect Day
“I loved The Real Enemy ! Kathy Herman has given us a clever mystery and fascinating characters facing real-life issues. A thoroughly satisfying read. Highly recommended.”
Gayle Roper, author of Hide and Seek
“In The Real Enemy , Kathy Herman skillfully weaves together a tale of supernatural legends and mysterious disappearances with the age-old problems of infidelity and unforgiveness that only a return to faith can mend. Suspenseful and engaging!”
DeAnna Julie Dodson, author of In Honor Bound
“With believable characters and a plot that kept me turning the pages, The Real Enemy had me looking over my shoulder on more than one occasion. A must read—with the lights on!”
Diann Hunt, author of For Better or For Worse
What people are saying about …
The Last Word
“Police Chief Brill Jessup is back! And this time she’s up against a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to get to her. Discover high-tension suspense that will tug at your heart.”
Lorena McCourtney, author of The Ivy Malone Mysteries
“Kathy Herman’s new novel, The Last Word , bursts into action and doesn’t stop until the last page. I was breathless!”
DiAnn Mills, author of Breach of Trust , Sworn to Protect , and When the Lion Roars
“Kathy Herman has developed and honed her particular talent for drawing the reader into her fictive world. We learn to care for a torn and struggling family, and identify with their flaws. The action is fast, fun, and never fails to make an impact.”
Hannah Alexander, author of Sacred Trust , Solemn Oath and Silent Pledge
“Kathy Herman is a master at creating a gripping story with unforgettable characters. In The Last Word, she raises her standard to new heights. A skillfully-woven story about choices and their consequences—both present and eternal—for ourselves and those around us.”
Carol Cox, author of A Test of Faith, Dog Days, and Who’s That Girl?

© 2010 Kathy Herman
Published by Bethany House Publishers 11400 Hampshire Avenue South Bloomington, Minnesota 55438 www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan. www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Previously published by David C Cook
Ebook edition originally created 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-2106-0
All rights reserved. No part of this ebook may be reproduced, scanned, resold, or distributed by or through any print or electronic medium without written permission from the publisher. This ebook is licensed solely for the personal and noncommercial use of the original authorized purchaser, subject to the terms of use under which it was purchased. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
This story is a work of fiction. All characters and events are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is coincidental.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ® . NIV ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc., 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920. www.alivecommunications.com
Cover Design: DogEared Design, Kirk DouPonce
Cover Images: iStockphoto, royalty-free
To Him who is both the Giver and the Gift
Contents
Cover
Endorsements
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
A Note from the Author
Discussion Guide
Back Ad
Back Cover
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Great Smoky Mountains and rolling hills of East Tennessee provide the stunning backdrop for this story, though the town of Sophie Trace exists only in my imagination. The characters I created to populate this unforgettable place will forever walk the pages of my heart.
I drew from several resource people, each of whom shared generously from his or her storehouse of knowledge and experience. I did my best to integrate the facts as I understood them. If accuracy was compromised in any way, it was unintentional and strictly of my own doing.
I owe a debt of gratitude to Commander Carl H. Deeley of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for his thorough response to my many questions and for reading selected scenes and offering valuable input, as well as putting me in touch with specialists who provided detailed answers to my ballistics questions. Thanks, Carl. You are a well-connected guy and always so willing to help.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to my friend Paul David Houston, former assistant district attorney, for helping me understand criminal charges and how they typically play out in the courts. Paul, we’ve got a good rhythm going. Thanks for your quick responses and concise answers. Seems we’re always on the same wavelength.
A special word of thanks to those whose prayers kept me going, especially through a seemingly endless bout with unavoidable distractions, including my husband’s back surgery: my tenacious prayer warrior and sister Pat Phillips; my online prayer team—Chuck Allenbrand, Pearl and Don Anderson, Judith Depontes, Jackie Jeffries, Joanne Lambert, Adrienne McCabe, Susan Mouser, Nora Phillips, Deidre Pool, Kim Prothro, Mark and Donna Skorheim, Kelly Smith, Leslie Strader, Carolyn Walker, Sondra Watson, and Judi Wieghat; my friends at LifeWay Christian Store in Tyler, Texas, and LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee; and my church family at Bethel Bible Church. I cannot possibly express to you how much I value your prayers.
I’d like to say thank you to my sister Caroline Berry for receiving these chapters via email and saving them so I’d have a copy “off premises.” I appreciated the effort and the peace of mind it gave me.
To the retailers who sell my books and the many readers who have encouraged me with personal testimonies about how God has used my words to challenge and inspire you. He uses you to fuel the passion that keeps me writing.
To my novelist friends in ChiLibris, who allow me to tap into your collective storehouse of knowledge and experience—what a compassionate, charitable, prayerful group you are! It’s an honor to be counted among you.
To my agent, Joel Kneedler, and the diligent staff at Alive Communications. Your standard of excellence challenges me to keep growing as a writer. I only hope that I represent you as well as you represent me.
To Cris Doornbos, Dan Rich, and Don Pape at David C. Cook for believing in me and investing in the words I write; and to your hardworking staff for getting this book to the shelves. What could be more exciting than being colaborers “on the same page” for Him?
To my editor and friend, Diane Noble, for extending such amazing grace as I struggled to meet the extended deadline on this book. In spite of your mother’s passing and the mountain of grief you must feel—not to mention your own pressing deadlines—you gave me valuable insights that have greatly strengthened the story line. I love working with you! You’re a marvel.
To my husband, Paul, who never gives up on me even in those moments when I’m just sure that I’ve exhausted every ounce of creativity in my soul. What a patient, objective, persevering partner you are! Were it not for you I would’ve listened to the lies of the Enemy and believed that I had nothing else to contribute—and this trilogy would never have been written.
And to my Father in heaven, who knew the outcome of this story before my fingers typed the first word: I’m amazed by Your faithfulness. Though my writing schedule did not go according to plan, Your plan was never thwarted and the message never compromised.
Prologue
A man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.
(2 Peter 2:19b)
Stedman Reeves leaned against a massive oak tree on the hazy hillside and looked out across Stanton Valley, painfully aware that if he went through with Grant Wolski’s deal, he would end up in hell. And if he didn’t, his life would seem like hell. What kind of choice was that?
He heard a twig crack behind him and let out a sigh of self-loathing.
Grant came and stood next to him. “Not having second thoughts, are you?”
“Look, if you’d just be patient, I could get the money—”
“I need it now.”
“I can’t just scrape up that kind of cash overnight.”
“Then you shouldn’t play poker with the big boys.” Grant locked gazes with him. “I’m offering you a gift, man. If I were you I’d take it.”
Some gift .
Grant held a gun in each