Author/Uploaded by Marie Ferrarella
“Look, I know you have serial killers back in Southern California. They’re not exclusive to New York City,” Doyle said. “I know that,” Cassandra answered. “Then I don’t get it. Why are you so excited about this case?” “First, it answers questions about what happened to our long-lost cousin, and second, there are endless possibilities regarding who the other...
“Look, I know you have serial killers back in Southern California. They’re not exclusive to New York City,” Doyle said. “I know that,” Cassandra answered. “Then I don’t get it. Why are you so excited about this case?” “First, it answers questions about what happened to our long-lost cousin, and second, there are endless possibilities regarding who the other victims were and why they were killed. Maybe we can find out what it was that they had in common that might have led to their demise.” “In other words, we resort to the usual.” “The ‘usual’?” Cassandra questioned. “Yes. Working hard, putting in long hours and juggling a ton of unanswered questions.” Cassandra shook her head. There was a depressing, hopeless note to Doyle’s voice. “Oh, Detective, you have to be more positive than that.” “This is me being positive.” She stared at him in silence for a moment, and then surprised him as she began to laugh in response to his comment. “If you say so,” Cassandra said. Dear Reader, Here we are again at long last. Since we were last together, I came down with Long COVID—twice. For those of you who are lucky enough not to be acquainted with that version of the disease, at its height, it came very close to wiping out my mind. I have been writing stories since I was eleven years old, but for the first time in more years than I care to admit to, I found myself unable to write an actual sentence. Needless to say, I was panic-stricken. It was several weeks before I was able to concentrate enough in order to write absolutely anything, much less a book. But I am back now, complete with a brand-new granddaughter (to go with my adorable two-year-old grandson), and I have returned to finally pick up the thread of another Cavanaugh story, complete with a serial killer. The story is set in New York City, my old stomping grounds. It is discovered that one of the Cavanaughs disappeared here when his divorced mother brought him to New York City from his initial home in Southern California. Confused? I promise it’ll all clear up by the time you finish reading the book. As always, I thank you for reading one of my books (now more than ever) and from the bottom of my heart, I wish you someone to love who loves you back. With affection, Marie Ferrarella CAVANAUGH JUSTICE:DETECTING A KILLER Marie Ferrarella USA TODAY bestselling and RITA® Award–winning author Marie Ferrarella has written more than three hundred books for Harlequin, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, marieferrarella.com. Books by Marie Ferrarella Harlequin Romantic Suspense Cavanaugh Justice Cavanaugh Vanguard Cavanaugh Cowboy Cavanaugh’s Missing Person Cavanaugh Stakeout Cavanaugh in Plain Sight Cavanaugh Justice: The Baby Trail Cavanaugh Justice: Serial Affair Cavanaugh Justice: Deadly Chase Cavanaugh Justice: Up Close and Deadly Cavanaugh Justice: Detecting a Killer The Coltons of New York Colton’s Unusual Suspect Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles. To Autumn Marceline Ferrarella Welcome to the world, Little One Love, G-Mama Contents Prologue 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 Excerpt from Hotshot Hero in Disguise by Lisa Childs Prologue Andrew Cavanaugh, the former police chief of Aurora, California, was finally about to sit down at the dining room table opposite his wife, Rose. He had just finished preparing a late supper for them, and for once, they were alone. It was a rare occurrence, given the numerous members in their family. And just when he was about to pull out his chair, the doorbell rang. Rose looked at her husband quizzically. He had already told her that they were going to be alone for a change. “Are you expecting anyone, Andy?” It was meant as a tongue-in-cheek question, seeing as how there was hardly ever a time when they—especially Andrew—weren’t expecting someone to drop by. The standing joke was that their home saw so much foot traffic, it could have easily doubled as Grand Central Station. “I thought we were supposed to be alone tonight,” Andrew replied. Resigned, the former chief of police made his way toward the front door. He moved like a much younger man, Rose caught herself thinking with no small amount of pride and not for the first time. Even after so many years together, she considered herself blessed. They’d been in lockstep from the beginning, finishing each other’s sentences and acting on the same thought. If he went in another room, eventually she’d find him. Always together and happy in the other’s company. Well, except for one long period when she’d lost her way and forgotten how to get home. But Andrew never let go, thank God. Leaving her napkin on her plate, she followed directly behind her husband, curious. One of their younger relatives must be paying a surprise visit or, more likely, was in search of a home-cooked meal. When she reached him, Andrew had already looked through the peephole and was in the process of unlocking the front door. His father, Seamus Cavanaugh, the former chief of the Aurora Police Department and official family patriarch, was standing on the other side of the door. Seamus’s usual deep, warm smile was conspicuously missing. In its place was a look of deep concern. “C’mon in, Pop,” Andrew said, closing the front door behind the gray-haired man. When he turned to regard the older man, he felt he had a cause for concern. “I know that look, Pop. What’s up?” To his surprise—because his father loved to talk about everything and