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Read an excerpt from the International Award Winning Book!
Emily Stone fought the dangerous off road conditions with every ounce of strength that she could muster. She clutched the steering wheel harder, knuckles white, biceps flexed, concentrating on every sharp turn to remain alert, and to keep the car piloting straight.
Her dark eyes remained unwavering through the narrow view.
The seatbelt dug into her chest with every bump and chuckhole in the road. Fatigue had set in an hour ago, but she could not stop now. Increasing weakness continued to edge its way through her arms and legs. The escalating body aches vied for her immediate attention as her forehead pounded with a familiar piercing pain.
Pushing through her discomfort, she kept focused on the treacherous road and the vehicle in front of her.
Another victim was at stake.
Another young innocent victim.
It was obvious that the lead driver was also having difficulties with the road as the vehicle bounced precariously close to the edge of the cliff. The lead SUV skirted and swerved, but still miraculously maintained the right direction and gained a little speed.
Pieces of mud showered Emily’s windshield, peppering the entire front end and undercarriage. Low tree branches and bushes clawed at the doors and slammed across the roof. At one point, she thought a branch might break through the sunroof and land on the front seat.
The road hazards did not deter her.
Emily pressed the accelerator even harder. Her Ford’s RPM throttled to a dangerous level causing the engine and oil lights to flicker. The dashboard lit up with several warnings that looked more like a carnival ride than an SUV.
“Emily! Em!” a voice yelled from the cellular speakerphone. “What’s your location? Dammit Em answer me!”
She ignored the plea from her partner Rick Lopez over the cell phone and turned it away from her. They were more than partners – some would say they were soul mates. Either way, he was her rock, her lover, and her only backup.
They shared an unshakable love that drove them together toward the one essential goal –save a victim. She did not want to look at the screen and see his face drawn and deeply concerned for her safety. His usual dark handsome features would show the extreme stress with a furrowed frown. She could not bear to look at him.
There had been many other pursuits, some more dangerous, others just a routine investigation, but all were potentially risky and could result in death. She had made peace with that reality. She had the extensive experience of handing just about anything that came her way – and wore with dignity the physical and mental battle scars to prove it.
They had spent the last few years hunting serial killers and child abductors, all under the radar of law enforcement. They did not have to operate by the same rules of engagement or bureaucracy that tied the hands of cops. Instead, the couple did all the investigative and forensic work for them and forwarded all of the detailed information – anonymously.
They were a covert investigative team that procured results.
A simple plan.
It had served them well.
This time it was an emergency of life and death – an all-out code red involving a ten-year-old girl by the name of Jeannie Sanders abducted while walking home from a friend’s house. The photograph of the little girl’s huge green eyes and sweet cherub face burned into Emily’s memory, which propelled her into situations that most people would take great lengths to avoid.
The imminent situation drove Emily to an almost desperate impulse – worse than any obsessive-compulsive disorder that could ever accomplish. She never knew how far an investigation would take her both physically and emotionally, but giving up was not an option when a child’s life was a stake.
The work was necessary to her like air and food.
A couple of years ago, Emily had come to terms with the fact that any of her dark pursuits could end with the inevitable. She lived by her own set of rules and personal motto. Life was not worth living if you cannot make a difference – right a wrong, catch a serial killer, or save an innocent life.
From the International Award Winning EMILY STONE THRILLER SERIES:
Vigilante detective Emily Stone has covertly hunted down killers and closed more serial cases than most seasoned homicide cops combined. Her exceptional profiling skills and forensic techniques, along with deductive crime scene investigations, have made her a compelling force that cannot be beat.
She has reached her ultimate breaking point and now must face her toughest opponent yet – her biggest fears.
With preciseness, the Tick-Tock Killer has taken his next child victim and promised to dump the body precisely four days later, mocking police and the community. Stone struggles to balance her inner demons and ghosts from the past, against the wits of a brutal and cunning serial killer in an all-out battle of psychological warfare.
Can Stone save the next child in time? Dark Pursuit is an action-packed cat and mouse game that will take you to dark places rarely explored.
Buy on Amazon US | Amazon UK
About the author:
Jennifer Chase is an award-winning author and consulting criminologist. She has authored five crime fiction novels, including the award-winning Emily Stone thriller series along with a screenwriting workbook.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor degree in police forensics and a Master’s degree in criminology. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent sociopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells. In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling. She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JChaseNovelist
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Jennifer-Chase/208188122534165
Blog/Website: http://authorjenniferchase.com/
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