Lillian Duncan lives in Ohio with her husband, four parrots, one Jack Russell, and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She’s been a Speech Pathologist for over thirty years
She writes stories of faith mingled with murder & mayhem. Tired of having to skip over all the four letter words and explicit sex scenes of traditional suspense, she writes the type of books she loves to read—suspense with a touch of romance.
Whether as an educator, a writer, or a speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.
To learn more about Lillian and her books, visit: www.lillianduncan.net. She has a devotional blog at: www.PowerUpWithGod.com Her most recent releases are PURSUED (White Rose Publishing) and DECEPTION (Harbourlight Books).
Tessa’s life spiraled out of
control after the death of her only child, and she finds herself in a dark
alley on a cold wintry night where she witnesses a murder, and almost becomes
his second victim. Homeless and
alone, she knows the authorities won’t believe someone like her, leaving her
only one option—to run.
SHORT EXCERPT:
Voices.
Angry and loud penetrated
her alcohol-induced sleep. Cold. Very cold. Shivering, Tessa pressed against
the wall for warmth, but not wanting to be seen either.
She didn’t like people.
Being alone was better. Not good to trust people. People hurt you, stole from
you, did things to you.
She shuddered.
A man’s voice filled with
rage broke through the fuzziness. “How could you betray me, Willie? You of all
people.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What
is it you think I did?” A different voice, confused.
Tessa opened her eyes to
nothing but a blur. After blinking several times her vision cleared. Two men
stood by a car parked in the alley.
A single light above the
pizza restaurant’s door lit up the intruders
She pressed further into
the wall, willing herself invisible.
Her alley.
They should go away and
find their own place. Something was in her arms. She looked down. Her baby. Had
to keep Michaela safe. She couldn’t let her get hurt this time. Clutching the
baby to her breast, Tessa wished the men would go away.
Her stomach queasy, she
tried not to breathe in the fetid smell of the dumpster
“My wife, Willie” The man
in a long overcoat said as he inched closer to the other. The anger and hatred
in his voice scared her. “You remember my wife, don’t you?”
“Your w…w….ife?” The man called Willie faced her. Older than
her and dressed in nice warm clothes. “What about your wife?”
“I’m not going to play
this game, Willie. I know. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out? She told
me everything. She told me all about your affair. No wonder you kept coming
home on the opposite weekends I did. I trusted you, Willie” Overcoat Man shook
his head as if he was sad, but Tessa didn’t believe him. His body told a
different story. His clenched fists
didn’t look sad—only angry.
She hugged Michaela closer.
Keep Michaela safe. Maybe she could crawl to the end of the alley without being
seen? It seemed like miles...but if she was quiet...maybe she could do it.
Maybe they wouldn’t notice her since they were arguing.
“You, of all people, know
I don’t tolerate betrayal or theft. You’ve seen what happens to people who
betray me. I can’t believe you did this to me, Willie.”
Willie stepped back but
the car blocked his movement. “This is ridiculous. I didn’t have an affair with
your wife. That’s just crazy and I’m not listening any more. I’m leaving.”
Overcoat man stepped closer to Willie. “She
belongs to me. She’s my property. You shouldn’t have done it.”
“I don’t know what you’re
talking about. I swear. I don’t know who told you such a ridiculous thing, but
it’s a lie. I…I…wouldn’t do that to you and everyone knows how much she loves
you.”
The man threw his head
back and laughed as if Willie had told a very funny joke, but she hadn’t
thought Willie’s words were funny. Then, the laughing stopped.
Tessa couldn’t control
her trembling.
Had to get away. Had to
keep Michaela safe. Fumbling in the dark, she found her backpack. Her fingers
curled around it and she moved to a crawling position
She hit the baby’s head
on the dumpster.
The metal clang
reverberated down the alley and to the men.
Oh, no. Not good for a
baby to hit their head. She looked down. Her stomach twisted. Not Michaela.
Just an old dirty doll. Still, she held its head to keep from hitting it again.
The Overcoat Man looked
in her direction.
Tessa froze. Couldn’t
breathe. If he saw her, he would hurt them. She cowered, hoping the darkness
hid them.
After a moment, he turned
back toward Willie. He placed his hand in his pocket. Tessa’s heart pounded
like a locomotive, but she was safe. She’d kept Michaela safe—this time.
His hand moved out of his
pocket. Something silvery and shiny glistened.
A knife.
