Emily hadn’t heard about Ossie in the preliminary interview. “Who’s Ossie?”
Hunter spoke, his voice a deep baritone, “Ossie is Angie’s cat.”
The mother swallowed a sob. “If that cat could talk, we would know what really happened.”
Emily never believed in the idea of serendipity. “I know of a veterinarian in Seattle who is able to communicate with animals. Dr. Walters might be able to help you.”
Emily ignored the force of the brother’s cold inspection. She took Mrs. Hines’ hand. “I’d be happy to set it up for you.”
Mrs. Hines had just provided the missing part of the equation for Emily’s nightly spot with the veterinarian. She and Dr. Walters would help animals reunite with their missing owners.
In the newspaper article about her helping the fire department, Dr. Grayce Walters came across as a very attractive and highly intelligent woman.
How could the doctor turn down Angie Hines’ family? How could the doctor not want to be a celebrity? Dr. Grayce Walters would have fame and fortune. What else could a woman want?
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my “team” of experts who shared their incredible knowledge, enthusiasm, and unique abilities with me. I’m most grateful for their gifts of time and expertise. Any errors are my own mistakes or my imagination run amok: Helen Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of Administration, Seattle Fire Department; Captain Stephen Baer, Fire Investigator, Seattle Fire Department; Richard Panzer, DVM, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist; Henny, Seattle Fire Department, rank—“Dog.”
And to my “team” of editors who never stopped believing in me or my writing: My husband, children, Karuna, Cynthia Garlough, and Jena S. O’Connor of practicalproofing.com. Thank you for your continual love and support.
The Code Breaker Series
Look for more heart-pounding adventure, intrigue, and romance in Jacki’s Code Breaker Series. A Code of Love is the first book in the series.
Available now at your favorite online retailer!
About the Author
Descended from a long line of storytellers, Jacki spins adventures filled with mystery, healing and romance.
Jacki’s love affair with the arts began at a young age and inspired her to train as a jazz singer and dancer. She has performed many acting roles with Seattle Opera Company and Pacific Northwest Ballet.
Jacki has set An Inner Fire in Seattle, her long-time home. The city’s unique and colorful locations are a backdrop for her romantic mystery.
Although writing now fills much of her day, she continues to volunteer for Seattle’s Ballet and Opera Companies and leads children’s tours of Pike Street Market. Her volunteer work with Seattle’s homeless shelters influenced one of her main characters in An Inner Fire.
Jacki’s two Golden Labs, Gus and Talley, are her constant companions. Their years of devotion and intuition inspired her to write dogs as main characters alongside her strong heroines.
A geek at heart, Jacki loves superhero movies—a hero’s battle against insurmountable odds. But her heroines don’t have to wear a unitard to fight injustice and battle for the underdog.
To learn more about Jacki and her books and to be the first to hear about contests and giveaways join her newsletter found on her website: www.jackidelecki.com. Follow her on FB—Jacki Delecki; Twitter @jackidelecki.
An Inner Fire
Copyright © 2013 by Jacki Delecki
ISBN: 978-0-9899391-19
This is work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or otherwise, without expressed written permission from the author.
The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products in this work of fiction, which has been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Cover Art by The Killion Group
Digital Formatting by Author E.M.S.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
The Code Breaker Series
About the Author
Copyright
An Inner Fire Page 30