In the Shadow of Evil
Read In the Shadow of Evil Online
Authors: Robin Caroll
Praise for
In the Shadow of Evil
Romantic suspense lovers will enjoy
In the Shadow of Evil.
Robin Caroll captures the southern flare of this Louisiana town, and turns the construction industry into an interesting vehicle for her plot twists.
—Terri Blackstock, author of
Intervention
and
Predator
No one does Southern mystery and suspense like Robin Caroll!
In the Shadow of Evil
ignites with conflict between Maddox and Layla in a ripped-from-the-headlines tragedy. The tight plot, intriguing twists, and engaging characters are not to be missed.
—Ronie Kendig, author of
Nightshade
and
Digitalis
Robin Caroll masterfully weaves engaging plot threads. Her characters are authentic; they cope with polarizing human frailty—faith and doubt, love and loss, courage and fear, truth and deception. Suspense abounds.
In the Shadow of Evil
memorably lingers long after the last page.
—Mary Busey Harris, CAE, National Association of the Remodeling Industry
In the Shadow of Evil
is a riveting romantic suspense from Robin Caroll! She's one of my favorite authors and a terrific storyteller. I'm first in line to get each new release. Don't miss this one!
—Colleen Coble, author of
The Lightkeeper's Ball
and the Lonestar series
In the Shadow of Evil
by Robin Caroll is a great Southern suspense. It has all the elements I've come to expect from her books. Richly drawn characters. Twisting plots.
—Cara Putman, author of
Stars in the Night
In the Shadow of Evil
is a gripping, highly entertaining suspense! With richly drawn, sympathetic characters, the story effortlessly weaves a very satisfying romance with a mystery that kept me glued form the first pages. This novel belongs on any suspense reader's keeper shelf!
—Camy Tang, author of
Deadly Intent
and
Formula for Danger
Copyright © 2011 by Robin Miller
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America
978-0-8054-4979-2
Published by B&H Publishing Group
Nashville, Tennessee
Dewey Decimal Classification: F
Subject Heading: MYSTERY FICTION \ ROMANTIC SUSPENSE NOVELS \ SWINDLERS AND SWINDLING—FICTION
Scripture quotations or paraphrases are taken from the following version: the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Publisher's Note: The characters and events in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to actual persons or events is coincidental.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 • 15 14 13 12 11 11
For Trace
Because we've been friends of the heart forever . . .
You love me in spite of knowing all my faults . . .
You're my harshest critic and my loudest cheerleader . . .
And you're still the best
partner in crime
I've ever had.
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I'M ALWAYS SO BLOWN away by the amazing team of talented and hardworking people who come together on my books to bring the project to publication. Everyone I've been blessed to work with at B&H Publishing inspire me with their gifts. My most heartfelt thanks to the entire group—sales-team members, marketing, art department, media, and administrators, but especially those I'm honored to work with closely: Karen Ball, not only the editorial driving force behind the Pure Enjoyment line, but also a woman with a heart for God who inspires me; Julie Gwinn, marketing guru extraordinaire who has such vision and energy that it simply amazes me . . . and humbles me; Jeff Godby, über talented art designer who takes the essence of what my book is about and brings it to living color on the book cover; Greg Pope, the whiz whose talent brings me to tears to see his interpretation of my story in the design of my book trailers; Haverly Robbe, phenomenal promotions and marketing assistant who works tirelessly behind the scenes on the fiction line to ensure we authors get first-class treatment; and Kim Stanford, managing editor, Product Development, whose hard work ensures my book is in stellar condition prior to going to print, and that's just a part of what she does. For everyone at B&H, thank you for being part of my publishing "family." I truly appreciate each and every one of you extending your talents and skills on my behalf.
My very wise mentor once told me that a book is nothing more than words on a page until someone reads it and interacts with the characters and story. I'm beyond blessed to have the honor of working with genius editor Julee Schwarzburg, who does just that—steps into my characters to make them richer, the plot better . . . all with grace and talent. Thank you so much for all your hard work and sharing your wisdom with me to make my book the best it can be.
Colossal thanks to Pam Hillman, who gave me the story idea for this book and sat on the phone with me for hours brainstorming it. Not only a visionary plotter and talented writer in your own right, you're also a dear friend. Special thanks to Cara Putman for helping me when I hit the wall in the plot and to Cheryl Wyatt for talking me through some seriously rough patches. And thanks to Rachel Hauck, for talking me through the idea of the final twist in the book. It ROCKS and I wouldn't have even gone there had Rach not made such stellar suggestions.
I owe a huge amount of gratitude to several medical professionals who answered my complicated and detailed questions to make my plot work: neighbor extraordinaire and host (with his wife Malinda) of awesome Halloween parties, Dr. Skipper Bertrand; author and fellow ACFW member, Dr. Richard Mabry; talented writer and fellow ACFW member, Dr. Ronda Wells; and staff members of the CDC. No way could I have written the medical plot intricacies without your help. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me.
So many law enforcement professionals put their lives on the line each and every day. I hope I portrayed their dedication and bravery in this story. Enormous thanks to Mike Byrne, commander, Criminal Investigation Division, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, who not only answered my many, many off-the-wall questions regarding titles, procedures, and policies, but also provided me with a virtual map of the office. Thank you so much for taking the time to never tire of responding to my inquiries.
Special thanks to certain NARI (National Association of Remodeling Industry) staff who answered my random questions regarding the CotY Awards: Gwen Biasi, Mary Harris, Tracy Wright, and Nikki Golden. To learn more about NARI and the CotY Awards, visit their Web site at www.nari.org.
My most sincere thanks to my critique partners: Ronie Kendig, Dineen Miller, Sara Mills, and Heather Diane Tipton. With this novel, I greatly appreciated the quick turnarounds of the chapters and your amazing insight. I love y'all and am so thankful to have you in my life, not only as my CPs, but dear friends as well.
I owe a huge thanks to my mentor and friend Colleen Coble, who never fails to encourage me every single time we talk and e-mail. Love you!
Special thanks to fellow authors who allowed me to vent, celebrate, and/or scream: Margaret Daley, Jim Rubart, and Camy Tang.
Huge thanks to one of the most respected agents in the industry, my agent, Steve Laube. You always know the right thing to say, even if I don't want to hear it but need to.
Every author needs first readers who point out inconsistencies and pose the questions that need to be asked. Special thanks to mine: Lisa Burroughs, Krystina Harden, and Tracey Justice.
Enormous gratitude to my extended family whose support and encouragement keeps me going on the hard days: Mom and Papa, BB and Robert, Bek and Krys, Bubba and Lisa, Brandon, Rachel, Johnny and Elizabeth, Shawn, Julie and Dan, Shannon, Meghan, Scotty and Jan, and Bob and Linda. And especially to my Aunt Millicent, my "biggest fan."
My most heartfelt thanks to my girls: Emily Carol, Remington Case, and Isabella Co-Ceaux. Without you three, my life would not be complete. I love you so much.
To the newest blessing in my life, grandson Benton Alexander—your smile lights up my life. Gran loves you.
To my husband and soul mate, Case. Every day, you give me a reason to get up and do what I do. I couldn't chase my dreams without your love, support, and encouragement. And your awesome input and suggestions. I love and adore you.
Finally, all glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.
"There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evildoers can hide."
JOB 34:22
PROLOGUE
Eighteen Years Ago
WHAT A NIGHT!
Maddox turned into the residential area and glanced at the digital display on the car's dash—12:28.
Great, late for curfew.
He smiled. Being late was worth it when he'd had a hot date with Julie Cordon. Man, the girl was something else. Beautiful, sexy, and funny. Just being with her made him feel special. Made him forget lots of things, including time.
He was seventeen and shouldn't have a curfew anyway. A senior in high school and he had to be home by midnight? All his pop's doing.
Tyson Bishop . . . Mr. Air Force man, determined to force the entire family to live by rules and regulations.
But his dad was over foreign soil right now, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. His mom understood better, wasn't quite the stickler about curfews like his dad. Good thing too. Maddox was almost thirty minutes late tonight. Pop would blow his top and ground him for at least a month. Probably take away his car. But not Mom. She'd just caution him to pay closer attention to the time. Launch into the whole spiel about responsibility and accountability. He could recite it from memory.