Detective Malcolm Kier has seen some gruesome cases in his
time on the force but human bones arranged on display in the
middle of a park where children play is one of the strangest
he has come across. The fact that nothing remains on the
bones to identify the victim leaves more questions than
answers so Malcolm digs in and does what he does best, his
job. The missing persons files is the first place
Malcolm looks. He finds a disturbing connection to Defense
Attorney Angie Carlson, otherwise known as "The Barracuda"
for her tenacity in the courtroom. A few years ago, Angie
represented a plastic surgeon on trial for the attempted
murder of a prostitute and won making enemies of most cops
in the area. Unfortunately, the more digging Malcolm does,
the more he finds that Angie maybe more involved than she
wants to be with death of a few more clients.
Defense Attorney Angie Carlson is a creature of habit,
finding solitude in keeping a schedule which is a must for a
survivor such as herself. Angie has overcome cancer and
alcoholism all the while making a name for herself as a
sought after defense attorney. The cancer was beaten by
shear will but the fame for defending a plastic surgeon of
attempted murder came at the price of her soul which led to
too many glasses of wine to sooth her guilt. Angie's
relationship with Detective Malcolm Kier is always
strained but when he starts asking questions regarding a
current client and the possibility of a connection with a
client from the past Angie is forced to look at the details
herself. As the past and present collide, Angie finds
herself drowning in fear and the need to survive a serial
killer.
Mary Burton writes a chilling sequel to Senseless
with crazy twists, surprising turns, and creepy scenes that
will make you lock your doors and leave the lights on at
night. A completely exciting and thrilling read.
No Pity
Each skeleton is flawless—gleaming white and perfectly
preserved, a testament to his skill. Every scrap of flesh
has been removed to reveal the glistening bone beneath. And
the collection is growing…
No Compassion
When bleached human bones are identified as belonging to a
former patient of Dr. James Dixon, Detective Malcolm Kier
suspects the worst. Dixon was recently acquitted of
attempted murder, thanks to defense attorney Angie Carlson.
But as the body count rises, Kier is convinced that Angie is
now the target of a brutal, brilliant psychopath.
No Escape
Angie is no stranger to the dark side of human nature. But
nothing has prepared her for the decades-long legacy of
madness and murder about to be revealed—or a killer ready to
claim her as his ultimate trophy…
Excerpt
When her watch beeped and signaled she’d swam thirty
minutes she glided into the wall, breathless but totally
relaxed. She pushed out of the water and crossed to the
bank of chairs where she’d draped her towel. She’d barely
dried her eyes and hair when she heard a deep voice call
out her name.
Angie stiffened. She recognized the gruff baritone.
Detective Malcolm Kier. The cop made no effort to hide his
contempt for her and her work. Instantly, she wished she
had on her business suit and high heels. She straightened
her shoulders and faced him. “Detective Kier. What a
lovely surprise.”
He possessed a powerful build. Not more than an inch
taller than her, he radiated a raw energy and a don’t-fuck-
with-me demeanor that intimidated most everyone. He
rattled her as well, but she’d decided long ago that she’d
eat dirt before she ever let him know it.
“Counselor. Good to see you stay in shape.” He wore
denims with muddied hems, a faded flannel shirt, a jean
jacket and scuffed work boots. A leather gun holster
peaked out from under his jacket.
“I try. You just roll in from the mountains?”
“Just about.”
“You’re a regular Grizzly Adams.”
His grin did not reach his eyes. “That’s right.”
Water dripped from her suit. Drying herself off in front
of Kier felt awkward. But the cooling air and her refusal
to be intimidated motivated her to slowly begin drying her
arms and legs as if she didn’t have a worry in the
world. “So what brings you to the gym, detective? Looking
into membership?”
His gaze didn’t waver. “No, I’m here on official business.”
She wrapped the towel around her waist, tucked it in place
and scooted her feet into waiting flip-flops. How had he
found her? And then she remembered that she’d once told
Kier’s partner, her sister’s boyfriend, that she swam daily
here. “Need an attorney?” she goaded. “I’d be happy to
see you in my office. Feel free to call my secretary for
an appointment.”
“I don’t need your services.”
“Then why are you here? Bored? Here to rattle my cage a
little more?” Kier had been a constant shadow presence
since the Dixon trial. It seemed he never missed an
opportunity to annoy her.
“I don’t rattle your cage.” The smugness didn’t support
the words. “I could care less about you.”
“That why I see you at King’s several nights a week?”
He shrugged. “I like the food. Plus you know I took an
apartment across the street.”
“Right. So why is it you always make a point to hold me up
in the courthouse when I’m late?”
“Just making conversation.”
“How about the four parking tickets I’ve gotten in the last
year.”
“The city marks its No Parking zones clearly. You’re being
paranoid.” He reached in his jacket pocket and pulled out
a theater program. “I’d like you to look at this.”
Annoyance crept up her back bunching the muscles she’d
worked so hard to relax. “This is not the best time for me
to discuss the arts, detective.”
As if she hadn’t spoken he turned a program toward
her. “Do you know this woman?”
She held his gaze not wanting to look and give him the
satisfaction that he’d won this little standoff. “Like I
said, call my secretary.”
His stare darkened like an angry storm on the horizon, but
it didn’t waiver nor did the picture in his hand. “Look
here, or look at the station. Makes no difference to me.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Nothing would give me more pleasure than to steal a few
billable hours from you.”
Asshole. He’d do it. She blinked and lowered her gaze to
the program. The young woman’s pale face and blond hair
accentuated a high slash of cheekbones. Bright green eyes
sparked and her lip curved upward as if she knew a secret.
Angie knew her. “Her name is listed in the program. You
can read, can’t you?”
He held the picture out an extra beat then slowly tucked it
back in his jacket pocket. “How long has Sierra Day been
your client?”
Staring down angry cops and prosecutors was part of any
defense attorney’s turf. “I don’t discuss my clients. You
remember attorney client privilege, don’t you detective?”
“Why did she hire you?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
“Tell me about the divorce. Was it nasty?”
“Seeing as you have all the answers why are you here?”
“Word is she and her soon-to-be ex husband mixed it up a
few times.”
“Talk to him.”
“I’m asking you.”
And then she cut through her own indignation and really
thought about why he was here. Kier was a homicide
detective and he wasn’t making a social call. What had
happened? She thought about the last time she’d seen
Sierra. The woman had breezed into her office unannounced
and demanded that Angie settle her divorce immediately.
Sierra needed cash and wasn’t ashamed to admit it.
“Do you know where she might be?” Kier said.
Sierra could be reckless. “Why the interest in Sierra
Day? Is she in trouble?”
“She was reported missing by the West End Theatre manager
ten days ago.”
“You don’t work Missing Persons.”
He shifted his stance. “Did her husband ever threaten
Sierra?”
“Has something happened to Sierra?”
“Like I said, she is missing.”
“And like I said you don’t work Missing Persons. What
aren’t you telling me, detective?”
He studied her. “Sierra’s stats match the characteristics
of a body we found late last night.”
“Characteristics?”
“Female. Mid-twenties. Five foot six to five foot eight.”
“That fits Sierra and a lot of other women.”
Her skin chilled. “What else do you know about your
victim?”
“Not much.”
“Meaning?”
He studied her, as if wondering how much to give for
maximum return. “All we have are bones.”
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