Tracking Justice

TRACKING JUSTICE MADDIE CASTLE BOOK TWO L.T. RYAN with C.R. GRAY Contents The Maddie Castle Series 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 Also by L.T. RYAN About the Author Copyright © 2023 by LT Ryan and Liquid Mind Media, LLC, C.R. Gray, Brian Shea. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book. This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. For information contact: [email protected] https://LTRyan.com https://www.instagram.com/ltryanauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/LTRyanAuthor THE MADDIE CASTLE SERIES The Handler Tracking Justice Hunting Grounds Receive a free copy of the Maddie Castle prequel novella: https://liquidmind.media/maddie-castle-newsletter-signup-1/ Chapter 1 Gibberish chattered through the speakers overhead. Evelyn listened closely, trying to decipher the words as she tore open the sugar packet and dumped it in her coffee, but she couldn’t make out a bit of it. She never understood that about airports. The audio from the speakers in shopping centers was discernable. Why weren’t the ones in airports? At the buzz of her phone in her pocket, Evelyn’s heart skipped. Sliding it out, her shoulders drooped with disappointment. Just some promotional email. She’d hoped it was her daughter, Quinn. Quinn had gone to college in the fall, and Evelyn missed her more than she missed carbs. They had always been close. Quinn came home most weekends and spent every holiday with Evelyn, but Quinn took her studies seriously. If her nose was in a book, Evelyn had little chance of getting in contact with her. It was five thirty on Monday morning, though, and Evelyn hadn’t heard from Quinn since Saturday morning. She knew she’d get a text or call in an hour or two. Quinn’s first class started at eight. She probably wasn’t even up yet. Still, Evelyn hurried to check the next notification that came in. Another promotional email. Why was she so worried? It was never comforting when Evelyn left town, or when Quinn was too absorbed to get in touch, but this was different. A sinking feeling in her gut. That was silly. Everything was fine. She was sure everything was— Two hands curved around her waist from behind. Evelyn jolted, spilling hot coffee all over her blouse. A chuckle sounded behind her, a familiar one. Spinning to meet his gaze, laughing, Evelyn cupped a hand over her chest. “You’re lucky this is iced.” Smiling, Mark dabbed her chest with a napkin from the table behind her. “I’m sorry. I thought you saw me.” She reached out for a hug, holding him tight around his shoulders. With a kiss on his cheek, and then another on his lips, embracing the stubble of each brush, the heavenly scent of his cologne and shampoo, there was no stopping her smile. Tugging back just far enough to look at him, she combed some hair behind his ear. “I would’ve done that if I had.” “I’ll keep that in mind.” Mark kissed her again, hands trailing down her lower back. “How was your flight?” “Not bad,” she said. “But I thought you weren’t landing until now.” “I upgraded to first class, so we were the first to depart the plane.” Releasing the embrace, Mark bent to collect Evelyn’s carry-on. “I’m starving. Do you wanna get breakfast on the way home?” “I’d kill for breakfast. Wanna stop halfway?” They lived just more than two hours from the airport. “Or do you wanna get something here?” “Definitely not here,” he said. “I do need one of those coffees, though.” “And since you spilled half mine on me”—she shot him a teasing smirk—“so do I.” * * * Evelyn’s back was aching by the time she and Mark made it to their driveway. As much as she adored living so far from civilization, she still thought about getting a place in the city. She could afford it, but was it worth it? It wasn’t like flying was a frequent part of her job description. Usually Evelyn stayed in her forest-and-farm-covered county. Maybe a little condo would be worth it, though. It’d certainly make date night in the city more sensual if she and Mark didn’t have a two-hour ride home. With a squeeze on her knee, Mark caught Evelyn’s attention. “You okay?” “My sciatica’s acting up.” She shifted, trying to get comfortable. “Just can’t wait to get home.” “Almost there.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back. “Then I can massage it for you.” Evelyn chuckled, stretching across the center console to rest her head on his shoulder. That was what she loved about Mark. David, her late husband, had been sweet at times, but rougher around the edges. Less affectionate. Mark practically worshipped the ground Evelyn walked on. Cresting through the foliage, the home Evelyn and Mark had built together two years ago came into view. With a sigh and a smile, Evelyn reminded herself why she loved it out here. The home looked like a castle, mountains coated in green rolling around it in all directions. Gray stone lined every wall, accentuated with draping flowers on the dozens of windowsills. Ivy lined the turret in the corner. It was like something from a storybook. Except for the red Prius parked in front. Quinn’s red Prius. “Doesn’t she have school today?” Mark asked. “I thought so.” Evelyn checked her phone to be sure she hadn’t forgotten about an observed holiday. She hadn’t. “Maybe she’s sick.” As they drove the rest of the way