Ground Truth

- GROUND TRUTH A Michael Flint Novel DIANE CAPRI Presented By: AugustBooks Sign up for Diane Capri’s FREE newsletter and get one FREE book. http://www.dianecapri.com - Praise for New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Diane Capri “Full of thrills and tension, but smart and human, too. Kim Otto is a great, great character. I love her.” Lee Child, #1 Worldwide Bestselling Author of Jack Reacher Thrillers “[A] welcome surprise… [W]orks from the first page to ‘The End’.” Larry King “Swift pacing and ongoing suspense are always present… [L]ikable protagonist who uses her political connections for a good cause… Readers should eagerly anticipate the next [book].” Top Pick, Romantic Times “…offers tense legal drama with courtroom overtones, twisty plot, and loads of Florida atmosphere. Recommended.” Library Journal “[A] fast-paced legal thriller…energetic prose…an appealing heroine…clever and capable supporting cast…[that will] keep readers waiting for the next [book].” Publishers Weekly “Expertise shines on every page.” Margaret Maron, Edgar, Anthony, Agatha, and Macavity Award-Winning MWA Grand Master - Copyright © 2023 Diane Capri, LLC All Rights Reserved Published by: AugustBooks http://www.AugustBooks.com Visit the author website: DianeCapri.com For new release notifications, free offers, gifts, and general information for members only, please sign up for our Diane Capri mailing list. We don’t want to leave you out! CLICK HERE to Join Diane Capri’s Mailing List Have you read all of Diane Capri’s books? Maybe it’s time to give them a try! CLICK HERE for a complete list of Diane Capri Books Ground Truth is a 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. License Notes: This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. Publisher’s Note: The publisher and author do not have any control over and do not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content. 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Purchase only authorized editions. eISBN: 9781942633754 Original cover design by: Cory Clubb - Table of Contents Title Page Reviews Copyright Dedication Cast of Primary Characters 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 More From Diane Capri About The Author - Dedication For the readers who have supported me and enjoyed my books and asked for more. I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you. - Cast of Primary Characters Michael Flint Kathryn (Katie) Scarlett Alonzo Drake Madeline (Maddy) Scarlett Carlos Gaspar Sebastian (Baz) Shaw Ernst Hedinger Hanna Campbell Greta Campbell Reed Phillip Reed (Stephen Brand) - “Ground truth is the reality we must confront, no matter how inconvenient or uncomfortable it may be.” —Margaret Atwood - Chapter 1 Switzerland The modified microlight’s electric engine purred in the early-evening darkness. Michael Flint adjusted its direction as the wind gusted, keeping the tiny craft stable and low to the ground. At twelve thousand feet, the Alpine weather was always a problem, tonight more than most. But he had a schedule, and he would stick to it. The view as he crossed the snow-covered terrain was a vista that inspired millions of advertising dollars. The Alps stretched for hundreds of miles on either side, peak upon peak, with exposed rock where the gradient was steeper than snow could cover. The machine was perfect for his needs. It was lightweight, even with the small electric motor and batteries. A single spar allowed him to fold the wings. He could slide in and out of the harness with ease and jettison the whole assembly with a single safety release. Flint eased the craft rightward and up. Golden light spilled from the Swiss municipality of Naters a few miles to the south, and from myriad clusters of homes across the Nesthorn peak, his destination. Despite the photo-worthy homes, the cherry on the top was the Château Loggerhorn, a mile ahead. Imposing, even from a distance. Built in the 1500s, Loggerhorn had stood empty through much of the twentieth century. The current owner, Ernst Hedinger—one of the wealthiest men in the world—had purchased and updated Loggerhorn. The modifications were completed a month earlier. Large steel and glass balconies looked down over a one-hundred-foot sheer drop. LED lighting outlined the structure and upward pointing lights highlighted the centuries-old stone. Fortunately, the architect had been so pleased with his work, he’d described it and published detailed drawings in the European edition of the Architectural Review. Flint had memorized every detail. One of those details was the name of the contractor. Flint had worked his way down