Synopsis

How far would you go for the truth?

Lindsay’s upbringing was anything but traditional. After all the lies and upheaval she endures, she prefers a more quiet, carefree life. But others cause her chaos. Death and destruction seem to find her. Someone has bugged her house and is watching her. She tries to keep her life peaceful. But can she when a mysterious stranger keeps making unexplained appearances?

Kendall’s upbringing was anything but traditional. She prefers a drama-free life but creates some of the chaos around her. When she is unknowingly recruited into a secret organization, the secrets are too much. She wants answers, even after she is warned seeking them could cost her life. Is she willing to die for the truth? Will the chaos be too much when a mysterious stranger keeps making unexplained appearances?

Who is the mysterious stranger now nicknamed “Cowboy” because he hides his face under a cowboy hat? Only Lindsay and Kendall have seen his face. What is the connection? Is he a predator or a protector?  Will Lindsay’s and Kendall’s worlds collide?

Excerpt

Kendall was sitting by the window at the coffee shop staring blindly out when a familiar voice said, “May I sit?”

Kendall had been deep in thought and didn’t see or hear Jack approach her. She was slipping. She knew better than to daydream or let herself mentally wander off in a public place. There was so much going on in her mind and she hated feeling like she wasn’t making progress or in control. It seemed lately everything in her life was going in circles. Nothing was making sense and Jack being here sure as hell didn’t make sense. “Jack. What are you doing on this side of town?”

“Looking for you. I’ve been worried about you and haven’t heard from you lately. I was on my way to your house but stopped here for coffee. They have my favorite.”

Kendall picked her phone up and checked it. She shook it at Jack. “Still works and you’ve never come to my house before. How often have you been in this coffee shop? What’s going on? Got work for me finally?”

“Whoa! So many questions at once. I wanted to see you for myself and I need to talk to you about your next assignment if you are ready to come back to work. First things first. What’s going on with you?”

“I’m not sure what you mean? I’ve been staying busy enjoying my time off. Reading a lot. Visiting new places. I may make visiting every coffee shop on the east coast my next venture. I’m fine, Jack.”

“You were pretty lost in thought when I walked up. I haven’t heard from you since you canceled dinner a few weeks ago.”

“Just busy with…. busy and finding new things to do.”

“Kendall, you can fool some of the people some of the time. You can never fool me. Not going to tell me about the new boyfriend?”

“How did you know about him? Seriously, are you following me or having me watched? If so, then you would know that was over as fast as it started.”

Jack didn’t miss the sadness in her eyes and thought to himself, “What do you know, Kendall Thomas has feelings after all.”

“You know I keep tabs on you, Kendall. Protecting my asset. It was a lucky guess because I don’t think we have ever gone this long without keeping in touch.”

Kendall needed to change this subject and quickly. “I’m more than ready to get back to work. What am I doing and please don’t tell me it’s another long-term assignment? You know I like the short ones or the quick in and out.”

“We have a few quick in and outs coming up. I know you prefer those.” Commitments were hard for Kendall and Jack agreed the quick assignments were better for her. Less time for her to get ideas of her own.

“Perfect. Let me hear about it.” They left the coffee shop and headed for Jack’s car.

“We need you to go to Dallas next week. There have been lots of secret meetings and our client is not liking them. He’s not a nervous guy but this has him way over the edge. We need to know where they are pulling money from and you will go in and see what you can find. This one is a little tricky. Top security. You will need to get into an office building and also a home office. You will need a partner to go in with you. No chance you want to take Tall One?”

“Is he still around? And no, I don’t want to take Tall One.”

“That’s too bad. He asks about you often. Broke the poor guy’s heart. I’ll be in touch.” With that, Jack waved her out of his car. She had barely gotten out when Jack drove off.

Kendall now had more to think about. She had been mentally reviewing all that she knew about Jack, Langston Corporation, Elle, PJ Enterprise and the house on Langston Drive. She hadn’t followed Jack since the night she tailed him to the house with the dog on Langston Drive. She didn’t miss the connection between Langston Corporation and the house on Langston Drive. She figured she would lie low for a bit. May have been a smart decision if Jack were having her watched. She had to ask herself, would Jack have her under surveillance? Something more to consider.

Her computer had been connected to the disposable phone when Jack joined her at the table. She didn’t make a quick move to put it away as that would have drawn more attention to it. She was sure that Jack noticed it as he was very well trained. She was also sure that he wouldn’t say anything to her but he would be checking things out with regards to it. He wouldn’t find anything. Then again….

Kendall doubted Jack got lucky with a reference to the boyfriend. She was actually thinking about him in between thoughts of Jack and his companies. If Jack had been watching her, he would know that the boyfriend hasn’t been around for a few weeks, much to her dismay.

About the Author

Alex Clayborn has two grown daughters and has lived from northern Maine to southern Florida and many states in between. Alex’s hobbies include traveling, downhill skiing, anything on top of the water, and reading a good mystery novel. Alex has an accounting degree and worked in the forensic accounting field for many years, loving the chase of uncovering assets people try to hide.

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