by Lis Wiehl
3. In Matthew 25, Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me,” and then adds “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Have you ever visited anyone in prison? Would you ever consider it?
4. Do you think difficult experiences—like Allison’s miscarriage —happen for a reason? Do you believe that such events can teach us?
5. Have you ever crossed paths with someone you believe is a sociopath—someone manipulative, impulsive, who frequently lies and lacks empathy for others?
6. Some scans have shown sociopaths’ brains operate differently than normal brains. Do you believe that some people are born without a moral center? If so, should they be subject to the same kinds of sentences as people with normal brains?
7. What should the system do with sociopaths? In current studies, mental health treatment has proven ineffective and sociopaths who are forced into it frequently prey on others receiving treatment. Sociopaths are often imprisoned, but is it fair to expose the other prisoners to them?
8. Cassidy and Nicole argue over Cassidy’s pursuit of ratings. Is it difficult to be moral and be ambitious in your business?
9. Nicole discovers she has breast cancer. Has breast cancer touched your life? Have you ever considered joining a group who helps those dealing with a life challenge?
10. Cassidy struggles with feeling lonely and empty. Do you know people like Cassidy? What would be the best thing Cassidy could do to help herself?
11. Lindsay is another person who may or may not be to blame for her actions. Have you ever dealt with someone with an addiction? How many times should you forgive an addict? Does tough love work? Was Donna wrong for turning her daughter away? Should Allison have taken Lindsay in? Would your answers be different if Allison and Marshall had a child?
from Eyes of Justice
1. Have you ever lost a good friend? How did it affect you?
2. What would you change if you knew that one of your good friends or a family member would die in the next 12 months? Would you save more emails? Be kinder? Say yes to spending more time together? Not multi-task when you talk together on the phone? Take more photos?
3. Have you ever known anyone like Ophelia? While no one in the book uses the term “Asperger’s Syndrome,” do you think Ophelia has it? When you were a child, did that diagnosis exist? Do you think people have changed or that medicine has?
4. Do you think our society appreciates that differences are strengths as well as weaknesses?
5. Have you ever been tempted to get revenge on your own, even for something small? Did you follow through? What were the results?
6. Do you trust the legal system to always do what is right?
7. A government study estimates that one in six women has been stalked. Have you ever been stalked or known someone who has? What happened? Were the police involved or was it more benign?
8. While on vacation in Florida, Channel Four’s previous coanchor, Alissa Fontaine, performed an impromptu striptease. After it ended up on the Internet, she was offered a job on a reality show. Do you think some reality shows have gone too far, or that there are too many of them? Have reality TV shows changed your viewing habits?
9. Nic and Allison see the degrading terms people couple with Cassidy’s name (i.e. “breasts,” “nose job”) when searching for her on the Web. Do you think the Internet has coarsened our culture? Or is it merely a tool, like the printing press?
10. Would you ever risk your career for a friend?
11. One of the characters dies just when her life is turning around. Some of the other characters think this is a cruel irony—just when her life held such promise! Others think it’s better that she died when she had hopes and dreams than when she was down and out. What do you think?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
from Face of Betrayal
This book would not have been possible without the unwavering support and encouragement from Bill O’Reilly (really!). Roger Ailes and Dianne Brandi at the Fox News Channel paved the way. And my office buddy, Gregg Jarrett, listened and offered wise guidance along the way.
Although this is a book of fiction, we relied on expert research help to get the facts right. Thank you Dr. Michael Baden, forensic pathologist; Robin Burcell, police investigator/author; Dr. David Farris; George Q. Fong, FBI Unit Chief for Safe Streets and Gang Unit; James Kotecki, former congressional page; and many unnamed law enforcement who asked not to be identified but were incredibly helpful in making sure we got this right. All errors are our own.
Our book agents were absolutely instrumental from inception to execution of this book . . . Wendy Schmalz of the Wendy Schmalz Agency and Todd Shuster and Lane Zachary of Zachary, Shuster, Harmsworth Literary & Entertainment Agency found the perfect home at Thomas Nelson for Allison, Nicole, and Cassidy. Allen Arnold, senior vice president and publisher, got the idea right away . . . as did Ami McConnell, senior acquisitions editor, who provided expert guidance. L.B. Norton helped us finetune the plot and the prose. And the enthusiasm of Jennifer Deshler, Natalie Hanemann, Becky Monds, Mark Ross, Katie Schroder, and the other good folks at Thomas Nelson is both infectious and inspiring. Thank you.
from Hand of Fate
Someone said “it takes a village.” Well, that’s true for this novel: O’Reilly . . . thank you again . . . from Wiehl (we’re on a last-name basis after doing a national radio show together for seven years). And Roger Ailes, the fearless leader of the Fox News Channel, thank you for taking a chance on hiring a certain “Legal Analyst.” Dianne Brandi for always being in my corner. And my still “favorite” brother Christopher; his lovely wife Sarah; and son Christian. Mom and Dad; son Jacob; daughter Dani; and husband Mickey a/k/a Michael Stone.
Thanks to all my friends who wrote letters and blurbs (especially those of you in radio and TV with a sense of humor). Thanks for being willing to play along. Pamela Cooney, law clerk; Ryan Eanes, LisWiehlbooks.com Web site creator extraordinaire; John Blasi, the smarts and vision behind Billoreilly.com; Garr King, U.S. District Court judge; Jeff McLennan, F-ABMDI, senior medicolegal investigator for Clackamas County; Bob Stewart, retired FBI agent (along with many FBI agents and other sources who wish to remain anonymous); and Matt Trom, call screener.
Our book agents, Wendy Schmalz of the Wendy Schmalz Agency, and Todd Shuster and Lane Zachary of Zachary, Shuster, Harmsworth Literary and Entertainment Agency, have worked tirelessly along with the wonderful folks at Thomas Nelson, who saw the potential and drama in this series: Allen Arnold, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Fiction (and even with that long title a really nice guy); Ami McConnell, Senior Acquisitions Editor (with the patience of a saint); and Editor L.B. Norton, (with the amazing ability to catch all errors and revise with a smile). And the exuberance of Belinda Bass, Natalie Hanemann, Daisy Hutton, Corinne Kalasky, and Becky Monds of Thomas Nelson continues to inspire. The Thomas Nelson sales team has the stamina and creativity of a true dream team: Doug Miller, Rick Spruill, Heather McCulloch, Kathy Carabajal, and Kathleen Dietz just to name a few. Last but definitely not least, Jennifer Deshler’s fantastic marketing team, including the dynamic Katie Bond and Ashley Schneider with the ever-spunky intern Micah Walker. All of the mistakes are ours. All the credit is theirs. Thank you!
from Heart of Ice
Mom and Dad, your lives continue to inspire. Bill O’Reilly, my mentor and friend (though don’t expect me to admit that on air), Roger Ailes (to whom I owe so much), and Dianne Brandi (whose judgment is infallible). And David Winstrom, Kevin Magee, Neil Cavuto (all inspirational as well as successful and, more important, good folk).
Our book agents, Todd Shuster and Lane Zachary of the Zachary, Shuster, and Harmsworth Literary Agency, and Wendy Schmalz of the Wendy Schmalz Agency—you made the Tripl
e Threat happen. And the wonderful folks at Thomas Nelson: Allen Arnold, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Fiction (a true visionary); Ami McConnell, Senior Acquisitions Editor (who defines the word superwoman); and Editor L.B. Norton. Thank you Natalie Hanemann, Belinda Bass, Kristen Vasgaard, Daisy Hutton, Corinne Kalasky, and Becky Monds . . . your enthusiasm is infectious. And the Thomas Nelson sales team continues to inspire: Doug Miller, Rick Spruill, Heather McCulloch, Kathy Carabajal, and Kathleen Dietz, just to name a few. And the fantastic marketing team of Jennifer Deshler, Eric Mullet, Katie Bond, Ashley Schneider, and Heather Cadenhead.
Thank you Don and Deirdre Imus; Mickey; Scribbles; Joe Collins, paramedic/firefighter; D.P. Lyle, MD, who is a mystery author in his own right; Alida Rol, MD, gynecologist; Bob Stewart, retired FBI agent; and other FBI agents and security professionals who wished to remain anonymous. And THANK YOU to all the women who shared their personal experiences with breast cancer. We will win the fight!
All of the mistakes are ours. All the credit is theirs. Thank you!
from Eyes of Justice
Dear Reader, you’ve come to the acknowledgments, so you know what happened to Cassidy. So, thank you, Cassidy, for your amazing spirit, zest for life, and quest for a good story. Speaking of quest for good stories, the wonderful folks at Thomas Nelson also carry that torch: Allen Arnold, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Fiction (a true visionary and friend); Ami McConnell, Senior Acquisitions Editor (I’m proud to call you my friend as well as editor); Editor L.B. Norton (a/k/a eagle eye); thank you Natalie Hanemann, Senior Editor; Jodi Hughes; Belinda Bass; Kristen Vasgaard; Daisy Hutton, and Becky Monds . . . it is an honor to work with you. And the Thomas Nelson sales team’s enthusiasm is inspiring . . . thank you Doug Miller; Rick Spruill; Heather McCulloch; and Kathy Carabajal, just to name a few. Last, but certainly not least, in the Thomas Nelson team are the marketing whizzes who have imagination and stamina to be envied: Katie Bond; Eric Mullett; Ashley Schneider; and Ruthie Dean. Thank you.
Thank you, O’Reilly, from Wiehl. And Roger Ailes (who took a chance on hiring a certain Legal Analyst). And Don and Deirdre Imus. And special thanks to Dolores Brandi.
Research is key to any good story, so thank you Joe Collins (paramedic and firefighter); Robin Burcell (author and former cop and forensic artist); and all our friends in law enforcement who consulted and advised without attribution.
Our book agents, Todd Shuster and Lane Zachary of the Zachary, Shuster, and Harmsworth Literary Agency, and Wendy Schmalz of the Wendy Schmalz Agency—you made the Triple Threat happen.
To my Mom and Dad, who always told me to follow my moral compass. You were right all along.
And thank you to Ed Lemos, who had the inspiration for the title.
All of the mistakes are ours. All the credit is theirs. Thank you!
ALSO BY LIS WIEHL
Snapshot
The Mia Quinn Mysteries (with April Henry)
A Matter of Trust
A Deadly Business
The Triple Threat Series (with April Henry)
Face of Betrayal
Hand of Fate
Heart of Ice
Eyes of Justice
The East Salem Trilogy (with Pete Nelson)
Waking Hours
Darkness Rising
Fatal Tide
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photograph by Kyle Widder
Lis Wiehl is a New York Times bestselling author, Harvard Law School graduate, and former federal prosecutor. A popular legal analyst and commentator for the Fox News Channel, Wiehl appears on The O’Reilly Factor, Lou Dobbs Tonight, Imus in the Morning, Kelly’s Court, and more.
Twitter @LisWiehl
Facebook LisWiehl
AN EXCERPT FROM
A Deadly Business
CHAPTER 1
MONDAY
There are a million ways to die. As a prosecutor in Seattle’s King County Violent Crimes Unit, Mia Quinn had become familiar with far too many. But before the first week of November was over, she would learn there were even more ways than she’d thought.
“Good afternoon, Your Honor,” Mia said as Judge Rivas took the bench. Her phone hummed in her pocket, signaling a call or text, but she ignored it. Judge Rivas was a stickler for courtroom decorum.
He inclined his buzz-cut head toward Mia, who stood at attention behind the prosecution table. “Good afternoon, Counselor.” He turned toward the empty defense table. “Is Mr. Dockins here?”
The courtroom clerk, Trevor Gosden, answered, “Yes. He’s in with Mr. Young.”
Despite the formal titles used in court, Mia thought that Trevor’s use of Mister most certainly did not belong with the name Young. Rolf Dockins was the defense attorney, a gentleman from the top of his silver hair down to his highly polished wing tips. And Bernard Young was the glowering twenty-two-year-old defendant he represented, aka the monster who had raped and strangled two runaway girls.
Today Young was to be sentenced. There were only a few observers in the courtroom, most of them relatives of the girls. Mia had asked for life in prison, and felt confident Young would get it. Her case was airtight. Dockins had done what he could, but she was sure down to her bones that it wouldn’t be enough. Young would never be able to hurt anyone again.
A side door opened and Rolf walked in, followed by Young in an orange jumpsuit. A sheriff’s deputy brought up the rear.
Mia watched them walk toward the defense table, not thinking about anything except how her phone was buzzing again. Maybe she could manage to sneak a peek as she sat down.
Then Young’s upper lip curled back and his eyes narrowed. His face was full of rage. And faster than Mia could react, faster than she could even process what was happening, he broke into a run. Straight for her. Then he lunged.
Young had already fisted her hair in one hand before Mia drew breath to scream. The other hand pressed against her throat. They tumbled backward. She was still screaming when his weight punched all the air out of her.
“Get off her!” Trevor yelled, swearing. “Get off her!” And then he threw himself on top of Young, wrestling with him. Mia’s thoughts ping-ponged from the pain in her scalp to the pressure on her throat to the sheer crushing weight of the two men. She squirmed and kicked and pushed, trying to get away, but she was pinned in place.
“Just try it on me, man,” Trevor panted. “I’ll beat the crap out of you.”
Now the deputy was grabbing at Young, yelling, adding his orders to the tumult. Even Rolf, who was seventy if he was a day, knelt next to them and began to yank and grab, trying to subdue his client. Mia found a brief moment to hope that the deputy didn’t draw his gun. All of them were so close together.
“Watch out!” yelled Catherine, the court reporter. “He’s got a razor blade.”
A razor blade? More frantically, Mia arched her back, twisting and kicking. She didn’t care if she kicked someone else or if Young tore all the hair out of her head. She had to get loose before he slashed her throat.
For a moment the weight left her neck, but even before she could feel a surge of relief it was back. And then Mia felt a small sharp edge press against her throat.
CHAPTER 2
Everything was moving in slow motion. Mia had all the time in the world to think, even if she had no time to save herself. Time to imagine how the delicate white skin of her throat would part in a red line that would widen into a bloody smile. Time to think about her children. Brooke was only four, Gabe fourteen. Both of them needed their mother. Needed Mia more than ever, since the car accident seven months earlier that had taken Scott from them.
“I got his wrist,” Trevor yelled as an elbow pressed into Mia’s rib cage. “Cuff him from the other side!”
And suddenly the weight came off Mia as the group of men wrestled a swearing Young back, yanking him to his feet. She sucked in air. With a trembling hand she risked touching her throat, afraid of what she might find.
But no hot blood pulsed from her ne
ck. Her shaking fingers found just smooth skin.
Two more deputies ran into the courtroom with their guns drawn. Everyone was talking at once.
Mia pushed herself to a sitting position and turned to Catherine, who had crept closer. “Did he cut me?”
“No,” Catherine said. Her eyes were wide and she had her hands to her own throat. “No, thank God. Should I call an ambulance?”
“I’m sorry!” Young called out, though he didn’t look it.
Trevor pushed his shoulder. “It’s a little late for that.”
Rolf helped Mia to her feet and guided her to a chair. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “Just before we came in, he asked me if I thought you had any remorse. I said you were just doing your job. I’m sorry if that had anything to do with it.”
“It’s the truth,” she said, massaging her neck. “And thanks for helping get him off me.”
He smoothed down the front of his now rumpled suit. “As soon as Bernard ran past me and I heard you scream, I decided I no longer cared about attorney-client privilege.”
Mia was surprised to find that she could still smile.
One of the deputies who had responded knelt in front of her. He had a shaved head and golden brown eyes. “I have first aid training.” As he spoke, he pulled on bright purple vinyl gloves. “Where are you injured?”
“I thought he cut me, but I guess he didn’t.” Lifting her chin, Mia touched the spot where she had felt something sharp. “Like right here.”
He bent closer. “From the shape of it, I’d say it’s a fingernail mark. But it didn’t break the skin. Did you get hurt anyplace else?”
