Right to Kill

by Andrew Peterson

  “Why do you want me to do that?”

  “You’ll know why when you see the pictures. Promise?”

  “Yeah, I promise.”

  “America’s an amazing country.”

  Clearly, the young man didn’t know what to say.

  “You making minimum wage?”

  “Yeah, it sucks.” He looked around. “I don’t speak Spanish.”

  “Don’t worry, the language of work is universal. I had the same job at your age.”

  Oliver finished drying the sedan.

  “Think I’ll ever be able to buy a car like this?”

  “I don’t doubt it for a second.” Nathan offered his hand and Oliver shook it.

  With that, he walked away and didn’t look back.

  Oliver’s world was small, but Nathan had a feeling it was about to get a whole lot bigger.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  Writing a thriller series is challenging on a number of levels. Over the years, I’ve received quite a few emails and letters from folks who think I don’t need to describe Nathan’s unique features—namely his 6’5” size, deep blue eyes, and scars marring his face and torso—in every book. One very kind lady said I didn’t need to keep reminding readers about the horrible ordeal he endured. This is where the challenge of being a series author comes into play.

  Each Nathan McBride novel needs to be a freestanding story. For many readers, Right to Kill is their introduction to Nathan’s world and its supporting characters. By necessity, new readers need to “see” Nathan and Harvey, both physically and emotionally. I can only ask the series veterans to be patient when reading material they already know.

  Nathan’s world is big. He knows all too well that evil exists and he steps up to confront it with no expectation of receiving anything in return. Some might say that’s a definition of a hero.

  In my humble opinion, thriller heroes need to be larger than life, yet flawed and vulnerable. Nathan McBride makes mistakes, simple as that. Some of them put him in mortal danger. Nathan isn’t a “win at all costs” man. His sense of right and wrong often conflicts with a deep, ethical question: When is it okay to kill?

  My personal heroes are not athletes, musicians, or actors. My heroes are our military service members, law enforcement officers, and federal special agents who put their lives on the line to keep America safe from its enemies.

  I sleep well because they often don’t.

  My freedom isn’t free; it comes at an extremely high price.

  I’m a firm believer in the Wounded Warriors Project trademarked statement: “The greatest casualty is being forgotten.”

  The dedication at the beginning of this novel is from the heart. It’s my desire to honor one of our nation’s most cherished fallen heroes. Rest in peace, Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Charles Keating IV, you’ve earned it.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  My wife, Carla, is kind, patient, and industrious. I spend countless hours in my studio writing these novels and she’s working behind the scenes to keep our household running. I couldn’t do my job without her. Carla gets as much credit as I do, and it’s well deserved. I have a lapel pin that says: “I’d be lost without my wife!”

  Ed Stackler has been my freelance editor from the beginning. He’s worked on every Nathan McBride novel and these stories wouldn’t be the same without him. Simply put, Ed is the best at what he does, and I’m fortunate to have him in my camp.

  Dick Hill is the voice of Nathan McBride in the audiobooks. He’s not only a trusted friend, he’s the guidepost for my writing. I have Dick’s narration in mind when I compose a manuscript. If I don’t think it will sound right with Dick reading it, I edit the manuscript until it does.

  Thanks is owed to Tom Davin, CEO of 5.11 Tactical, for allowing me to plug his products in Nathan’s adventures. He’s not only a terrific businessman and friend, he’s a Marine! Tom served with the 1/1 (First of the First).

  Dr. Douglas Reavie, M.D., F.A.C.S., and his wife, Janice Reavie, CRNA, MSN, are real people and they graciously allow me to put them in my books. Thank you for helping me with the opening home-invasion scene.

  Linda Genneken is physically based on a real person. Linda won an auction to be a character in Right to Kill and the money was donated to the German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County. Over the years, she and her husband have helped countless dogs find loving and permanent homes. Thank you, Linda, for all you do to make the world a better place.

  The Thomas & Mercer team does an amazing job. Amazon Publishing, Inc., isn’t some giant nebulous thing, it’s made up of people—good people—and I want to acknowledge and thank them:

  My editor, Gracie Doyle, Editorial Director of Thomas & Mercer

  Sarah Shaw, Author Relations Manager

  Jacque Ben-Zekry, former Marketing Manager, now Editor

  Marlene Kelly, Lauren Edwards, and Laura Costantino, Marketing

  Timoney Korbar, Producer of Kindle Most Wanted

  Dennelle Catlett, PR

  Jeff Belle, Vice President of Amazon Publishing

  A warm thank-you is also owed to my readers; you folks aren’t taken for granted. My goal is to deliver the best product I possibly can. Unfortunately, speed isn’t my forte. I can’t crank out a novel every few months. I admire authors who can. I’m just not one of them. Thank you for hanging in there with me.

  If you’re looking for other authors who’ll grab your attention and keep it, I’m happy to recommend the following:

  Blake Crouch’s Wayward Pines Series

  Robert Dugoni’s Tracy Crosswhite Series

  Kendra Elliot’s Bone Secrets Series

  Marcus Sakey’s Brilliance Trilogy

  T.R. Ragan’s Lizzy Gardner Series

  Barry Eisler’s John Rain Series

  Sean Chercover’s The Game Trilogy

  Alan Russell’s Gideon and Sirius Series

  And newly discovered Matthew FitzSimmons—I gave Matt a well-deserved blurb.

  I know all of these authors and they’re fantastic storytellers—I wouldn’t recommend them otherwise!

  A final note. Yes, there will be more Nathan McBride novels. I’m hard at work on book seven.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  USO Tour Operation Thriller II, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan

  Andrew Peterson is the #1 Amazon international bestselling author of the Nathan McBride series. An avid marksman who has won numerous high-powered rifle competitions, he enjoys flying helicopters, camping, hiking, scuba diving, and playing a questionable round of golf. Peterson has donated more than three thousand books to troops serving overseas and to veterans recovering in military hospitals. A native of San Diego, he lives in California’s Monterey County with his wife, Carla, and their giant schnauzers, Elsa and Lilli.

  For more info about Andrew Peterson, please visit his website: www.andrewpeterson.com

  Facebook: @andrew.peterson.author

  Twitter: @apetersonnovels

  Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/Andrew_Peterson_Author