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1
Darkness marred everything anymore. That was a lesson she’d learned long ago. Dr. Haldyn Harris, head of the Finley Creek Texas State Police Forensics department, had been hoping things would get better.
They hadn’t.
Things just kept getting darker.
Everywhere.
Trust in the TSP itself was gone—for everyone working in their region. Haldyn knew people in the building where she spent most of her time were corrupt. Dirty. Evil.
She hadn’t forgotten that. It made it difficult to enjoy the warmer-than-average late February air as she walked down Main Street with her best friend.
Powell had made a massive property purchase today. One that was significant. For all of them. One she and Haldyn and their friends had been waiting on for a long time. Haldyn had concerns. Her best friend was struggling with something. Powell just hadn’t told her what it was yet.
Haldyn stopped walking—studied the shorter woman. Yes, Powell had something on her mind.
Powell lifted one hand, held her long, dark hair out of her eyes as the wind blew. Powell’s eyes widened. She stopped walking for a moment. Stared. “There’s Erickson. Keep walking.”
“What?”
Haldyn turned. They were near the courthouse, and that was the very distinctive, very beautiful, Detective Gunnar Erickson right there. Her mouth twitched. Powell and Gunnar—they had a bit of a small war going on.
It had just gotten worse two months ago when they’d run into each other in Wyoming when Gunnar had been consulting on a case. Powell had been visiting her twin brother who had recently relocated to the same region. They’d been snowed in at the inn up there. Over Christmas. Together. Powell had assured Haldyn she’d kept to her end of the hall—and Gunnar had kept to his.
Something had definitely happened. Powell just hadn’t told her what. Yet.
Now, Powell refused to even be in the same general vicinity as that gorgeous man. “We could invite him to lunch.”
“You are horrible. Keep walking. He’s seen us.”
Haldyn couldn’t help it. She turned and waved. Powell yelped and grabbed Haldyn’s hand. “Quit it! He’ll want to come over! I cannot deal with that man right now. Not today.”
“But he’s so beautiful.” He was. And more than that—Gunnar Erickson was one of the few TSP detectives Haldyn trusted. He was also one of the kindest men she had ever met. Powell just didn’t seem to see that. Haldyn thought Powell should just give in—actually go out with that beautiful man who was so hot for her. But Powell…said no.
Gunnar called her name. Haldyn stopped walking. She was about to call a greeting back, despite Powell practically jumping from foot to foot in panic—something Powell did occasionally when she was freaked about something major—when the sound of brakes squealing had her pausing.
She turned. A dark blue van blocked the crosswalk now. One that hadn’t been there before. Four men jumped out, all dressed in green uniforms and ball caps.
They came at her. And they came at Powell.
Just that fast.
Haldyn screamed. Powell screamed. Other people yelled.
A man grabbed Haldyn, yanked on her arm so hard it popped. She twisted, bucked. Fought as hard as she could, screaming. Powell started screaming Haldyn’s name. And for people to help Haldyn. To help them both.
Strong arms went around her. Haldyn fought as hard as she could.
There were four of them.
Fighting just wasn’t enough.
People yelled. Gunnar yelled her name, too. Haldyn bit the man holding her. He cursed. One large hand landed against her cheek, sending her sprawling to the ground.
Then she was in that van, with another man leaning over her.
Haldyn saw the fist coming at her face far too late to get away.
