Killer Takes All

Killer Takes All
Erica Spindler

There’s no escape from this deadly game…When her neighbour Cassie is found brutally murdered, Stacy Killian has reason to believe the death of her friend is related to a cultish role-playing game. The game is dark, violent – and addictive. As a former police officer, Stacy was exposed to more that her share of evil.But working with Spencer Malone, the detective assigned to her friend’s case, Stacy can only watch in horror as the bodies mount. Soon, Stacy and Spencer are trapped in the terrifying world of a game gone mad, where no one is safe. Anyone can die before the game is over and the killer takes all…

Praise for the bestselling novels of

ERICA SPINDLER

‘Suspenseful.’

—Publishers Weekly on All Fall Down

‘… a classic confrontation between

good and evil.’

—Publishers Weekly on Dead Run

‘… solid characters,

a great setting and a really good plot …’

—Globe and Mail on Dead Run

‘Spindler’s latest moves fast and takes no

prisoners. An intriguing look into the

twisted mind of someone for whom

murder is simply a business.’

—Publishers Weekly on Cause for Alarm

Readers will ‘be chilled … and pulled

inexorably onward by the question

of the whodunit.’

—Publishers Weekly on In Silence.

Kiler Takes All

Erica Spindler

www.mirabooks.co.uk (http://www.mirabooks.co.uk)

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Thanks to all who helped in the completion of Killer Takes All, giving generously and enthusiastically of their time and expertise. I’d especially like to acknowledge:

Michelle Kraus, owner of Gamer’s Conclave, for making sense of the world of role-playing games. Your patience with this novice was astounding; thank you!

Judy Midgley, CRS Coldwell Banker Realty, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California for taking an entire day to show me properties from Carmel-by-the-Sea to Monterey. It was as fun as it was informative! Thanks, Judy!

Warren “Pete” Poitras, Detective Sergeant, City of Carmel-by-the-Sea Police Department, for the time, tour and insights; all were highly appreciated.

Thanks also to Frank Minyard, MD, Orleans Parish Coroner; Colonel Mary Baldwin Kennedy, Director of Communications, Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office; NOPD Captain Roy Shakelford; Jason Blitz, Munchen Motors and John Lord, Jr, Arms Merchant, LLC.

In addition, thanks to those who make every day a good day: my agent Evan Marshall, my editor Dianne Moggy and the entire MIRA crew, my assistants Rajean Schulze and Kari Williams. And last but always first, my family and my God.

Also by Erica Spindler

SEE JANE DIE

IN SILENCE

DEAD RUN

BONE COLD

ALL FALL DOWN

CAUSE FOR ALARM

SHOCKING PINK

FORTUNE

FORBIDDEN FRUIT

RED

CHAPTER 1

Monday, February 28, 2005 1:30 a.m.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Stacy Killian opened her EYES, FULLy awake. The sound that had awakened her came again.

Pop. Pop.

Gunshots.

She sat up and, in one fluid movement, swung her legs over the side of the bed and went for the Glock .40 that waited in the drawer of her nightstand. Ten years of police work had conditioned her to react to that particular sound without hesitation.

Stacy checked the gun’s magazine, crossed to the window and inched aside the drape. The moon illuminated the deserted yard. Several spindly trees, dilapidated swing set, dog pen minus Caesar, her neighbor Cassie’s Labrador retriever puppy. No sound. No movement.