Praise for LINDSAY MCKENNA
RT Book Reviews on Dangerous Prey
Riveting.
RT Book Reviews on The Quest
An absorbing debut for the Nocturne line.
RT Book Reviews on Unforgiven
Gunfire, emotions, suspense, tension, and sexuality abound in this fast-paced, absorbing novel.
Affaire de Coeur on Wild Woman
Another masterpiece.
Affaire de Coeur on Enemy Mine
Emotionally chargedriveting and deeply touching.
RT Book Reviews on Firstborn
Ms. McKenna brings readers along for a fabulous odyssey in which complex characters experience the danger, passion and beauty of the mystical jungle.
RT Book Reviews on Man of Passion
Talented Lindsay McKenna delivers excitement and romance in equal measure.
RT Book Reviews on Protecting His Own
Lindsay McKenna will have you flying with the daring and deadly women pilots who risk their lives Buckle in for the ride of your life.
Writers Unlimited on Heart of Stone
Deadly Silence Lindsay McKenna
Dear Reader:
I was a firefighter for three years in the 1980s. I was the only woman on the West Point Volunteer Fire Department of twenty men. I was the first to break the ice. I learned a lot about fire fighting and what it took to be good at it. As a writer I like to write what I know. That way, my story comes off as living and breathing for the reader. I have a great respect for the women and men firefighters of today. Back in the early 1980s a few courageous women were breaking down the doors of firefightingproving that it wasnt just a mans job. In three years I think I saw it all. I wont go into the gory details. But what I want is to infuse Deadly Silence with my knowledge of firefighting and the rigors and challenges that come with it. Most people live in a city and you dont think twice about your fire trucks coming down asphalt streets.
Out in rural areas where there are roads, dirt roads and off-vehicle trails, it puts a whole different perspective on firefighting; particularly in the winter and spring when roads get slick or they get so muddy it can actually stop a fire vehicle from advancing to where the structure fire is located. Its heartbreaking. And I saw it happen. Owners of homes that burned to the ground because a fire truck and firefighters couldnt get to it, get angry. They had a right to be upset. But when someone took out a rifle and started shooting at firefighters, that was a whole different ball of wax. When people lose their home, its devastating. For them and for the firefighters. Everyone feels helpless. And so, with my background in rural firefighting, Ive used some of my experience to create this story.
For my many Morgans Mercenary readers, you will get to meet the heroine of this book, Casey Cantrell, daughter of Alyssa Trayhern-Cantrell. Im now writing about Alyssa and Noahs children. Ive written about all five of Morgan and Lauras children so I can now write about the other children. Stay tuned; you may see some more of them popping up now and then in my newest saga-series, Jackson
Hole, Wyoming. This is Book Three. If you havent read the rest, run to Harlequin.com and pick up Shadows from the Past (HQN, December 2009) and Deadly Identity (HQN, December 2010). I hope you enjoy this new series. Drop me a line at muted29081@mypacks.net or visit my website www.lindsaymckenna.com. You can also sign up at Facebook at: www.facebook.com/eileen.nauman. Happy July Fourth!
Lindsay McKenna
To the men I worked with as a
volunteer firefighter in 19811983,
West Point Volunteer Fire Department, West Point, Ohio. Chief Wayne Chamberlain, who was open to the first woman joining a twenty-man station.
Lieutenant Gary Amato, ex-Air Force firefighter who supported and taught me so much about the business. Paul LaNeve, volunteer, who saved my life when a floor collapsed out from beneath me at a structure fire. And last but not least, my husband, David, who was the one who convinced me that I could be a firefighter. And this is dedicated to all men and women volunteer firefighters who will give their life to save others. Nowadays, women are welcomed into fire ranks across the U.S.A. You are all heroes in my eyes, regardless of gender.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER ONE
And then she smelled smoke. Was she dreaming? The Muppet clock with Big Bird on it read 3:00 a.m. Sitting up, Megan suddenly felt alarm. Smoke! She wasnt dreaming! Her daddy was a firefighter. He and Mommy had taught her that if she smelled smoke she should run to the window and escape to safety. Their home was one story. Daddy had taught her how to open the window and climb out.
Maybe she was dreaming. Megan slipped out of bed and clutched Elmo to her red-flannel nightgowned chest. A small night-light gave enough radiance to see her partially opened door. There was a haze of whitish smoke filtering into her room. Blinking, Megan stood in shock, gripping Elmo to her chest and staring at the silent and deadly smoke.