Special Agent

Special Agent
Valerie Hansen

SUSPICION OF GUILTWhen Special Agent in Charge Max West and his K-9 partner, Opal, look into a series of bombings in northern California, horse trainer Katerina Garwood instantly seems suspicious. As the ex-fiancée of a man tied to the criminal Dupree family, Katerina may know more than she’s letting on—especially since the infamous syndicate is targeting her. And Max isn’t sure he can believe her when she says she knows nothing. Despite his reservations, though, he can’t deny his attraction…or the impulse to protect her. And with the criminals closing in, Max must separate the truth from lies, or he and Katerina may not live to share tomorrow…

SUSPICION OF GUILT

When Special Agent in Charge Max West and his K-9 partner, Opal, look into a series of bombings in Northern California, horse trainer Katerina Garwood instantly seems suspicious. As the ex-fiancée of a man tied to the criminal Dupree family, Katerina may know more than she’s letting on—especially since the infamous syndicate is targeting her. And Max isn’t sure he can believe her when she says she knows nothing. Despite his reservations, though, he can’t deny his attraction...or the impulse to protect her. And with the criminals closing in, Max must separate the truth from lies, or he and Katerina may not live to share tomorrow...

“Don’t touch it. There may be fingerprints.”

“I doubt it,” Katerina said. “I think I felt gloves, not bare skin.”

He lifted the folded paper with two fingers at a corner and laid it on a bare spot atop the dresser, then used a pencil to carefully unfold it. He stepped back and watched her reaction as she scanned the note.

“‘Turn over the stash and we’ll leave you alone’?” she read aloud. “What’s that supposed to mean? I don’t know anything about any stash. Do they mean drugs?”

“Your guess is better than mine,” Max countered. “What do you think?”

She threw up her hands and began to pace. “How should I know? I don’t have a clue.”

“I wish I could believe you.”

“Yeah,” Katerina said, scowling at the piece of paper, “I wish you could, too.”

CLASSIFIED K-9 UNIT:

These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners

Guardian—Terri Reed, April 2017

Sheriff—Laura Scott, May 2017

Special Agent—Valerie Hansen, June 2017

Bounty Hunter—Lynette Eason, July 2017

Bodyguard—Shirlee McCoy, August 2017

Tracker—Lenora Worth, September 2017

Classified K-9 Unit Christmas—Terri Reed and Lenora Worth, December 2017

Dear Reader (#u04d35284-e1dd-519a-b698-161f4c3982a9),

As my pastor is fond of pointing out, the past does not have to dictate our future unless we let it. We can be forgiven and turn the page to a new life in Christ if we will surrender to Him. Yes, there may be lingering consequences, but the Lord will help us deal with those and make something great out of what we’ve learned from past mistakes.

Katerina was too naive and Max too hardened by life, yet they found a middle ground and allowed themselves to embrace change as well as forgiveness.

Every new day is a gift to you from your Father in Heaven. Don’t waste it wishing you could change the past. Look toward the future and trust the Creator.

Blessings,

VALERIE HANSEN was thirty when she awoke to the presence of the Lord in her life and turned to Jesus. She now lives in a renovated farmhouse in the breathtakingly beautiful Ozark Mountains of Arkansas and is privileged to share her personal faith by telling the stories of her heart for Love Inspired. Life doesn’t get much better than that!

Special Agent

Valerie Hansen

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

For You have delivered my soul from death,

my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

—Psalms 116:8

Many thanks to fellow series authors Terri Reed, Laura Scott, Lynette Eason, Shirlee McCoy and Lenora Worth—plus editor Emily Rodmell, who keeps us all on track.

And to my Joe, who is with me in spirit.

He always will be.

Contents

Cover (#u8a8aadce-a74c-598f-b76a-2075aff8787a)

Back Cover Text (#u1cea4c1e-9a82-58ce-92f9-71ff15cb7854)

Introduction (#u21f7b78c-a56b-53cd-a169-3594a51188d9)

Dear Reader (#u5d853540-a0bf-59c2-8f29-6924065549f2)

About the Author (#u1f2417e0-28cf-5394-b7e4-02342a0b46fe)

Title Page (#uec9628d6-7f99-55d8-a540-5e13d88c8833)

Bible Verse (#ua8ba5235-03d6-53e7-ae31-5fa2078029ff)

Dedication (#ufbc9d79c-e89d-54a2-9ba2-e74e1f4435e4)

ONE (#u2988d5c3-5de8-5f14-bd07-2e1c140e2404)

TWO (#u3ce7764e-0cf4-5c90-b56c-823085717472)

THREE (#u8aaf0502-99c0-57ff-8305-28d1a1a50ddf)

FOUR (#u39b4b8ed-f195-5f36-bc80-248d12c837a6)

FIVE (#uff3d8aec-72e4-51a9-9224-9f1ebd601b57)