Nora Milton believed her calling was to help lessen the suffering in a world filled with pain.
It’s chasing that calling, on a mission to help finish the construction of an orphanage in Mexico, that Nora meets mission pilot, Anthony Goldburg. A spark is kindled between them but it’s cut short when Nora finds herself kidnapped at gunpoint.
Desperate to save the woman his heart longs for, Anthony sets out on a search for Nora on his own. All too quickly he learns just how dangerous leaving the safety of the compound can be and finds himself entrenched in the dangerous drug trade.
Hot on the heels of a notorious drug lord, DEA Agent Greg Nelson is on a mission of his own – to clear the streets of drugs. Joining forces with FBI Agent Grisham they work to close off one of the major drug pipelines from south of the border when they discover a young woman being held against her will.
Together, can these two agents help Anthony save Nora before she’s lost forever?
PROLOGUE
The clear night sky covered the world in a blanket of darkness, displaying only a sliver of a moon — perfect conditions for the heist. Read more…
The clear night sky covered the world in a blanket of darkness, displaying only a sliver of a moon — perfect conditions for the heist. Read more…
CHAPTER ONE
Daniel Grisham held a case file in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other as he entered his unit’s bull pen. “Listen up, ladies and gents, we’ve got a new case.” When he saw he had the attention of his co-workers, he continued. “The Verdier museum was burglarized last night.” Read more…
Daniel Grisham held a case file in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other as he entered his unit’s bull pen. “Listen up, ladies and gents, we’ve got a new case.” When he saw he had the attention of his co-workers, he continued. “The Verdier museum was burglarized last night.” Read more…
CHAPTER TWO
Nora slapped a piece of bread onto the meat side of the sandwich, completing it and placing it on the plate. She hurriedly spread more mayonnaise on several more pieces of bread, laid out meat, lettuce, and cheese on half of the dozen slices set out on the clean counter. Read more…
Nora slapped a piece of bread onto the meat side of the sandwich, completing it and placing it on the plate. She hurriedly spread more mayonnaise on several more pieces of bread, laid out meat, lettuce, and cheese on half of the dozen slices set out on the clean counter. Read more…
CHAPTER THREE
Grant Rourke watched his partner, Special Agent Greg Nelson, lean over the table as he questioned a suspect.
“Tell us where you got the cocaine.” A short lock of dark hair fell over Greg’s forehead. Read more…
Grant Rourke watched his partner, Special Agent Greg Nelson, lean over the table as he questioned a suspect.
“Tell us where you got the cocaine.” A short lock of dark hair fell over Greg’s forehead. Read more…
CHAPTER FOUR
The water rippled back in the boat’s wake, both tips of the skis gliding over the disturbed waters.
“Hang on!” Cory called over his shoulder as he manned the helm. Gunning it, he whipped the boat around. Read more…
The water rippled back in the boat’s wake, both tips of the skis gliding over the disturbed waters.
“Hang on!” Cory called over his shoulder as he manned the helm. Gunning it, he whipped the boat around. Read more…
CHAPTER FIVE
“Now that we have closed the Hope Diamond case, we can put all of our efforts into the Rumano case,” Daniel said the next morning, taking a bite from a glazed donut.
“You haven’t heard?” Shelby’s voice held a note of surprise as she abruptly set her coffee cup down. He furrowed his brow. “Heard what?” Read more…
“Now that we have closed the Hope Diamond case, we can put all of our efforts into the Rumano case,” Daniel said the next morning, taking a bite from a glazed donut.
“You haven’t heard?” Shelby’s voice held a note of surprise as she abruptly set her coffee cup down. He furrowed his brow. “Heard what?” Read more…
CHAPTER SIX
A phone sat ringing on the desk. Greg grabbed the receiver. “Greg Nelson.”
Grant couldn’t distinguish the voice on the other end of his partner’s call.
“Where’s he being held?” Greg pulled a notepad closer and hastily jotted down the information. “Thank you for contacting me.” He cradled the receiver abruptly as he stood and turned to Grant. Read more…
A phone sat ringing on the desk. Greg grabbed the receiver. “Greg Nelson.”
Grant couldn’t distinguish the voice on the other end of his partner’s call.
“Where’s he being held?” Greg pulled a notepad closer and hastily jotted down the information. “Thank you for contacting me.” He cradled the receiver abruptly as he stood and turned to Grant. Read more…
CHAPTER SEVEN
Nora scrolled down the contacts on her phone. She touched a name, pressed send, and waited for her friend to answer. She held the phone to her ear with her shoulder as she dumped a box of brownie mix into the mixer bowl. “Hey Dot. Do you want to come over and hang out on my last free night before the trip?” Read more…
Nora scrolled down the contacts on her phone. She touched a name, pressed send, and waited for her friend to answer. She held the phone to her ear with her shoulder as she dumped a box of brownie mix into the mixer bowl. “Hey Dot. Do you want to come over and hang out on my last free night before the trip?” Read more…
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Dulé isn’t giving up anything.” Daniel walked into the office, rubbing the back of his neck after questioning the suspect.
“Nothing?” Shelby asked.
“No.” Connor followed Daniel into the office. Garret poured himself a cup of coffee and stirred in a packet of sugar. “What now?” Read more…
“Dulé isn’t giving up anything.” Daniel walked into the office, rubbing the back of his neck after questioning the suspect.
“Nothing?” Shelby asked.
“No.” Connor followed Daniel into the office. Garret poured himself a cup of coffee and stirred in a packet of sugar. “What now?” Read more…
CHAPTER NINE
As he walked with Doug across the pavement, Anthony saw a girl standing by the hanger. This must be Nora Milton whom Don had mentioned in their last meeting. The chilling wind of the morning whipped at her skirts. Read more…
As he walked with Doug across the pavement, Anthony saw a girl standing by the hanger. This must be Nora Milton whom Don had mentioned in their last meeting. The chilling wind of the morning whipped at her skirts. Read more…
CHAPTER TEN
“Jill,” Greg called out to the rotor as he entered the office.
A woman with an auburn pixie cut turned from her computer screen to give him her attention. “What do you need?” Read more…
“Jill,” Greg called out to the rotor as he entered the office.
A woman with an auburn pixie cut turned from her computer screen to give him her attention. “What do you need?” Read more…
CHAPTER ELEVEN
With a sigh of relief and a prayer of thanks, Anthony set the plane down admirably. He smiled. One of his best landings yet, even if he did say so himself.
The flight had been more adventurous than he would have preferred, but everything had turned out alright. Read more…
With a sigh of relief and a prayer of thanks, Anthony set the plane down admirably. He smiled. One of his best landings yet, even if he did say so himself.
The flight had been more adventurous than he would have preferred, but everything had turned out alright. Read more…
CHAPTER TWELVE
The sun was shining, and the sky was a beautiful topaz blue — a perfect day to spend at the park, but the unit wasn’t at the park for a leisurely afternoon. Connor operated a hot dog stand while Garret attempted to weed a flower bed nearby. Daniel was off to the side posing as a homeless man, and Michelle Hollins, aka Patricia Querry, was seated on a bench not far from the agents. They were waiting for Thomas Beauchard to show up. Read more…
The sun was shining, and the sky was a beautiful topaz blue — a perfect day to spend at the park, but the unit wasn’t at the park for a leisurely afternoon. Connor operated a hot dog stand while Garret attempted to weed a flower bed nearby. Daniel was off to the side posing as a homeless man, and Michelle Hollins, aka Patricia Querry, was seated on a bench not far from the agents. They were waiting for Thomas Beauchard to show up. Read more…
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A large crystal chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling, sending shafts of light dancing around the large room. Round tables were staggered around resting on the red carpet. Light jazz music played over the sound system creating a peaceful, serene atmosphere. Read more…
A large crystal chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling, sending shafts of light dancing around the large room. Round tables were staggered around resting on the red carpet. Light jazz music played over the sound system creating a peaceful, serene atmosphere. Read more…
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
While everyone waited for the volleyball to be served, Nora pulled the scrunchie out of her hair and smoothed the strands before replacing it. The evening breeze was refreshing following the warm day. Several people were chatting, which attested to the cheerful, carefree mood after a long day’s work. Read more…
While everyone waited for the volleyball to be served, Nora pulled the scrunchie out of her hair and smoothed the strands before replacing it. The evening breeze was refreshing following the warm day. Several people were chatting, which attested to the cheerful, carefree mood after a long day’s work. Read more…
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Jill bustled into the office but stopped abruptly when she saw Grant’s empty chair. “Where’s Rourke?” she asked Greg.
“He went out for a minute,” Greg answered. “Do you need something?” Read more…
Jill bustled into the office but stopped abruptly when she saw Grant’s empty chair. “Where’s Rourke?” she asked Greg.
“He went out for a minute,” Greg answered. “Do you need something?” Read more…
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Only three days remained until they were scheduled to head back to the States. Nora felt a tinge of sadness. To lift her spirits, she began humming.
Nora held the mixing bowl against herself as she stirred the ingredients for pancake batter. If she thought she was fixing a lot of food now, that amount would pale in comparison to the rest of the time she would be here. Read more…
Only three days remained until they were scheduled to head back to the States. Nora felt a tinge of sadness. To lift her spirits, she began humming.
Nora held the mixing bowl against herself as she stirred the ingredients for pancake batter. If she thought she was fixing a lot of food now, that amount would pale in comparison to the rest of the time she would be here. Read more…
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Monday morning found Greg sitting at his desk as he rehashed in his mind everything that he knew of Rodriguez’s organization.
With all of the dealings he’d had with Rodriguez’s underlings, he was convinced he’d missed helpful leads somewhere. Read more…
Monday morning found Greg sitting at his desk as he rehashed in his mind everything that he knew of Rodriguez’s organization.
With all of the dealings he’d had with Rodriguez’s underlings, he was convinced he’d missed helpful leads somewhere. Read more…
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The men were quiet on the return trip. Where were they supposed to look now? What could have happened to Nora?
When they pulled into the driveway, they noticed several children playing in the yard. The men walked soberly to the house, each wearing worried expressions. Read more…
The men were quiet on the return trip. Where were they supposed to look now? What could have happened to Nora?
When they pulled into the driveway, they noticed several children playing in the yard. The men walked soberly to the house, each wearing worried expressions. Read more…
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Daniel found Shelby’s name in his contact list and pressed send. “Shelby, it’s Daniel.”
“I was about to call you,” she said. Read more…
Daniel found Shelby’s name in his contact list and pressed send. “Shelby, it’s Daniel.”
“I was about to call you,” she said. Read more…
CHAPTER TWENTY
The town didn’t seem as busy as it had other days, though it was still noisy. A brood of chickens was startled by a boy when he dropped a basket of produce, and they immediately began cackling in alarm as they fluttered around. Read more…
The town didn’t seem as busy as it had other days, though it was still noisy. A brood of chickens was startled by a boy when he dropped a basket of produce, and they immediately began cackling in alarm as they fluttered around. Read more…
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“Rourke.” Greg spotted his partner exiting a room and began walking down the hall.
Grant glanced over his shoulder and waited for Greg to catch up, then resumed walking briskly. “Did you find anything?” Read more…
“Rourke.” Greg spotted his partner exiting a room and began walking down the hall.
Grant glanced over his shoulder and waited for Greg to catch up, then resumed walking briskly. “Did you find anything?” Read more…
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Anthony could see José walking towards a jeep parked down the road. If he wouldn’t let Anthony go with him, then he’d follow the man. Read more…
Anthony could see José walking towards a jeep parked down the road. If he wouldn’t let Anthony go with him, then he’d follow the man. Read more…
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“Border patrol is holding our courier.” Greg flipped his phone shut, whirling his chair around to stand.
Grant stood and headed toward the door. “Let’s go pick up a courier.” Read more…
“Border patrol is holding our courier.” Greg flipped his phone shut, whirling his chair around to stand.
Grant stood and headed toward the door. “Let’s go pick up a courier.” Read more…
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Greg slicked his hair back and ran a comb through the wet strands. He slipped the blue and white striped tie around his neck, lifting his chin to slip the end of the tie through the loop. He walked over to the bed and picked up his black suit jacket.
A knock was heard at the door, and Grant poked his head in. “You about ready?” Read more…
Greg slicked his hair back and ran a comb through the wet strands. He slipped the blue and white striped tie around his neck, lifting his chin to slip the end of the tie through the loop. He walked over to the bed and picked up his black suit jacket.
A knock was heard at the door, and Grant poked his head in. “You about ready?” Read more…
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Nora tried to still the trembling, but it was impossible to completely stop. It had been hours since Filipe had brought in a single plate of tamales for Anthony and Nora to share. The meager fare had done little to bring her blood sugar levels up. Read more…
Nora tried to still the trembling, but it was impossible to completely stop. It had been hours since Filipe had brought in a single plate of tamales for Anthony and Nora to share. The meager fare had done little to bring her blood sugar levels up. Read more…
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
José settled Nora down on the floor. “Go get some water,” he told the guard.
Anthony watched Nora’s shallow breathing and noticed her pale complexion. He balled his hands into fists. She desperately needed food to raise her blood sugar levels. Read more…
José settled Nora down on the floor. “Go get some water,” he told the guard.
Anthony watched Nora’s shallow breathing and noticed her pale complexion. He balled his hands into fists. She desperately needed food to raise her blood sugar levels. Read more…
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Greg looked up from the open Book. His face portrayed the anguish in his heart. He read the words once again in a whisper, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”
Laying the Bible down on the table, Greg laid back on the bed and let out a frustrated groan. Read more…
Greg looked up from the open Book. His face portrayed the anguish in his heart. He read the words once again in a whisper, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”
Laying the Bible down on the table, Greg laid back on the bed and let out a frustrated groan. Read more…
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Greg moved stealthily from rock to rock, being careful not to put the lookout in the tall wooden tower on guard. His attention was captured when he thought he saw a familiar form pacing back and forth in front of the gate at the entrance to the compound. Read more…
Greg moved stealthily from rock to rock, being careful not to put the lookout in the tall wooden tower on guard. His attention was captured when he thought he saw a familiar form pacing back and forth in front of the gate at the entrance to the compound. Read more…
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Nora’s hands shook. The realization that she had been given her freedom was sinking in.
Where was she to go? She didn’t know where she was or how to get back to the mission. When the men had grabbed her, she’d promptly been blindfolded and had traveled for hours. Read more…
Nora’s hands shook. The realization that she had been given her freedom was sinking in.
Where was she to go? She didn’t know where she was or how to get back to the mission. When the men had grabbed her, she’d promptly been blindfolded and had traveled for hours. Read more…
CHAPTER THIRTY
It felt like the past was coming back to haunt him. A lone girl, missing, and being held by drug smugglers – Greg felt like punching something.
The image of his little sister’s doll lying near a blood-soaked blanket draped over a stack of hay in an abandoned barn was stamped in his memory. Miniature fingerprints of smeared blood were also found dried on the doll. Read more…
It felt like the past was coming back to haunt him. A lone girl, missing, and being held by drug smugglers – Greg felt like punching something.
The image of his little sister’s doll lying near a blood-soaked blanket draped over a stack of hay in an abandoned barn was stamped in his memory. Miniature fingerprints of smeared blood were also found dried on the doll. Read more…
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Grant whirled his chair around to face Greg. “I just received word that Nora has not been seen in any of the towns within a fifty-mile radius.”
“It’s like she’s vanished.” Greg rubbed his chin in thought. He stood in front of a map of the area. “Where could she have gone?” Read more…
Grant whirled his chair around to face Greg. “I just received word that Nora has not been seen in any of the towns within a fifty-mile radius.”
“It’s like she’s vanished.” Greg rubbed his chin in thought. He stood in front of a map of the area. “Where could she have gone?” Read more…
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Nora left the car lights on in case a passerby might see them and stop to help. She knew the chances of her being spotted were slim to none, but one could always hope. Read more…
Nora left the car lights on in case a passerby might see them and stop to help. She knew the chances of her being spotted were slim to none, but one could always hope. Read more…
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
She’d been found. Relief rolled off Greg as he plopped into his office chair. The report had come over the radio moments before saying Nora had driven off the road where the car couldn’t be seen.
Greg stood and grabbed his keys. He had to make sure she was okay. Read more…
She’d been found. Relief rolled off Greg as he plopped into his office chair. The report had come over the radio moments before saying Nora had driven off the road where the car couldn’t be seen.
Greg stood and grabbed his keys. He had to make sure she was okay. Read more…
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Nora was brushing her hair when she heard a knock on her door. She jumped, then froze. Her nerves were on edge from the past days. Holding the brush, Nora put her cheek against the door. Read more…
Nora was brushing her hair when she heard a knock on her door. She jumped, then froze. Her nerves were on edge from the past days. Holding the brush, Nora put her cheek against the door. Read more…
EPILOGUE
Nora’s nightmares began to be less intense after returning home. Being in the safety of her own home helped. There were the occasional times she would wake up in a sweat screaming. Even though her dreams were beginning to get better, her sleep was restless. With Dot, Gage, and the Lord’s help, Nora was eventually able to sleep peacefully again.
Several weeks had gone by when she received a text from Anthony. Read more…
Nora’s nightmares began to be less intense after returning home. Being in the safety of her own home helped. There were the occasional times she would wake up in a sweat screaming. Even though her dreams were beginning to get better, her sleep was restless. With Dot, Gage, and the Lord’s help, Nora was eventually able to sleep peacefully again.
Several weeks had gone by when she received a text from Anthony. Read more…
