Excerpt of Death Angel by Martha Powers

Prologue

He nosed the car into the empty parking lot and
stopped when the tires touched the concrete curb. His head
was motionless, but his eyes flicked along the bank of
evergreens edging the forest preserve. Clenching both hands
at the top of the steering wheel, he straightened his arms
and pressed his back against the seat. The impulse was so
strong.

He expelled the air from his lungs in a slow steady
stream, then opened his door and walked around the front to
the passenger side of the car. Once more he eyed the empty
paths leading into the woods. Aware of danger, his mouth
was dry. His hand moved to the door latch. The sharp click
of the car door shattered the afternoon quiet.

The little girl slid out of the car. Her white
sneakers scuffed the gravel and sent up a small cloud of
dust. She tilted her head and squinted up against the glare
of the sun.

He held out his hand and smiled. With one hand she
tugged at the strand of black hair alongside her cheek and
then, placed her other hand in his. Turning, they walked
into the woods.