Guilty Read online

  Table of Contents

  PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF KAREN FENECH

  TITLE PAGE

  ALSO BY KAREN FENECH

  GUILTY

  COPYRIGHT

  DEDICATION

  CONTENTS

  BOOK DESCRIPTION

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  A short note from Karen Fenech…

  Get CAUGHT, a Protectors Series novella, for free

  OTHER BOOKS BY KAREN FENECH

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  ABOUT KAREN FENECH

  PRAISE FOR THE NOVELS OF KAREN FENECH

  BREATH OF MALICE

  “The constant suspense and sizzling sex keep the pages turning.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “From the first sentence I was hooked and I couldn’t stop reading until I got to the end...This is a book I highly recommend for those who love a good thriller.”

  —Night Owl Reviews, 4 1/2 Stars Top Pick

  “I think that those who are in the mood for an exciting and hair-raising tale will enjoy this story and I hope to see more about these characters in the future.”

  —The Reading Addict, 4.5 Stars

  "Mixing suspenseful twists and turns and budding romance, Fenech takes the reader on a wild ride that will thrill excitement-seekers and love-story addicts alike.”

  —Booklist

  "Readers will admire Paige for her strength in the face of adversity."

  —Publishers Weekly

  " ... intense romantic suspense."

  —Publishers Weekly

  GONE

  “Karen Fenech’s Gone is a real page-turner front to back. You won’t be able to put this one down!”

  —New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin

  “Karen Fenech tells a taut tale with great characters and lots of twists. This is a writer you need to read.”

  —USA Today bestselling author Maureen Child

  “Readers will find themselves in the grip of Gone as this riveting tale plays out. Gone is a provocative thriller filled with a roller coaster ride that carries the suspense until the last page.”

  —Deborah C. Jackson, Romance Reviews Today

  BETRAYAL

  “An excellent read.”

  —Donna M. Brown, Romantic Times

  IMPOSTER: THE PROTECTORS SERIES — BOOK ONE

  “Imposter is romantic suspense at its best!”

  —USA Today bestselling author Maureen Child

  UNHOLY ANGELS

  “A superbly intricate tale of greed, power, and murder. . . A suspenseful and believable story that will keep you reading into the wee hours of the morning. Highly recommended!”

  —Bestselling author D. B. Henson

  ALSO BY KAREN FENECH

  Breath Of Malice

  Gone

  Unholy Angels

  Betrayal

  Imposter: The Protectors Series— Book One

  Snowbound: The Protectors Series— Book Two

  Pursued: The Protectors Series— Book Three

  Hide: The Protectors Series— Book Four

  Caught: The Protectors Series—Novella 4.5

  Guilty: The Protectors Series — Book Five

  His Touch: The Surrender Series— Book One

  Three Short Stories of Suspense: Deadly Thoughts, Secrets, and The Plan

  COPYRIGHT

  GUILTY: The Protectors Series — Book Five Copyright © 2017 by Karen Fenech.

  All rights reserved. No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the Author.

  http://www.karenfenech.com

  First Edition: 2017

  For Andrew, Pamela, and Dave with love

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  DEDICATION

  COPYRIGHT NOTICE

  BOOK DESCRIPTION

  GET CAUGHT FREE

  OTHER BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR

  PRAISE FOR NOVELS BY THE AUTHOR

  A SHORT NOTE FROM KAREN FENECH

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  BOOK DESCRIPTION

  THE PROTECTORS

  Though they work independently and at times are oceans apart, their ties to each other remain strong. They're related by blood or bond — this group of men in law enforcement, government intelligence, and the military who do what others cannot to serve, defend, and protect.

  GUILTY: THE PROTECTORS SERIES — BOOK FIVE

  The brutal murder of a school teacher appears to be an open and shut case. Despite the overwhelming evidence against homeless drifter James Gaines, public defender Faith Winston makes sure she is assigned to defend him. But Faith has an agenda of her own — even if it means a guilty man will go free.

  Chief of Police Ryan Crosby ended his relationship with Faith in a breakup that shattered them both, but he has not stopped loving her. When Faith’s representation of Gaines makes her a target for revenge, Ryan reenters her life to protect her. He finds himself in a battle to find her assailant, and in a battle with Faith herself who will not trust him again with her heart.

  But when Gaines escapes from custody, Faith is abducted and Ryan is in a race against time to find her. One woman is already dead and Faith is next.

  *****

  Get CAUGHT, a Protectors Series novella, for free

  Be sure not to miss Karen’s next release, sale, or giveaway, and receive a copy of CAUGHT free. Just sign up to receive her notification-only news.

  Sign up now at: http://ymlp.com/xgeubjejgmguu or http://www.karenfenech.com/books.html

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Ms. Winston, your office released a statement that you’re going to be defending James Gaines. Your first murder case. How do you feel knowing that you may be putting a murderer back on the streets?”

  Faith Winston, a lawyer in the Wade County Washington public defender’s office, closed her eyes briefly at the question. It was shouted at her from the throng of television and newspaper reporters gathered on the steps of the building where the Wade County government offices were housed. The question struck home though not for the reasons the
reporter would have expected.

  Despite that it was a Friday, the end of a workday, and pouring rain, the media remained. The men and women surrounded Faith. In anticipation of her response to their colleague’s question, the crowd moved closer. Tightening her grip on the handle of her satchel briefcase, Faith pushed through the crowd. Her yellow compact car was getting an oil change. Somewhere beyond this mass of people was the taxi she’d called to take her home.

  “Ms. Winston, we have it on good authority that you weren’t assigned to represent Gaines, but that you made a formal request to represent him, rather than one of the other public defenders in your office. Why did you seek to represent Gaines?”

  Yes, she had gone after the Gaines case though how that had become public knowledge, Faith didn’t know. It wasn’t information her boss would have released to the media. Sounded like there was a leak in the public defenders’ office.

  Another reporter called out, “How do you feel knowing how Gaines pummeled Sharon Fahey to death?”

  Pummeled was an adequate description of the fatal beating Sharon Fahey had endured. The woman had been beaten with what a state-assigned profiler pegged as vengeance and rage. Much of Sharon’s body was nothing more than pulp at the end of the beating that was administered with a hammer found at the crime scene. Recalling the horrific crime scene photos of the body, Faith worked to keep herself from vomiting right here on the steps.

  Faith blinked rain from her eyes and brought the trim redhead who’d spoken into focus. The reporter clutched a microphone that displayed the prominent Eye On Washington logo. She stepped out from beneath the shelter of a chrome-tipped umbrella and jabbed the microphone at Faith.

  Faith’s representation of James Gaines was now a matter of public record. There was nothing more to be said. Nothing she could or would say to explain herself. This wasn’t about her. She would not let the media make this about her. She turned away from the mic, jostled the man beside her, and continued down the steps. She was almost to the sidewalk now. The crowd continued to move with her as tightly as a swarm of bees. She couldn’t see beyond her own feet. It was because of her familiarity with the government building that she knew where she was.

  Cries and shouts rang out behind her.

  “Mr. Fahey! Mr. Fahey, how do you feel about Ms. Winston seeking to represent James Gaines in your wife’s murder?”

  Faith had seen Fahey inside the building coming out of the prosecutor’s office. At the appearance of Timothy Fahey, the reporters scattered, running back up the steps. At last, an opening. And beyond, Faith spotted a taxi parked at the curb, engine idling.

  “Rather than answer that question, I’d like to ask one of my own. To Ms. Winston.” Fahey’s voice came hoarse then broke. “How can you live with yourself?”

  His voice resonated with pain and anger that struck Faith like a physical blow and penetrated her to her core. Fahey had been the one to discover Sharon’s body when he’d returned home at the end of a work day. He had no family other than his wife and now he’d lost her. Faith knew what it was to have no family. To be completely alone in the world. Just as Fahey was now.

  One of the reporters broke away from Fahey and taking the descent two steps at a time, raced back to Faith. “Ms. Winston, will you answer Mr. Fahey’s question? Ms. Winston!”

  Faith reached the taxi and swung open the rear passenger door. She climbed in, dropping her briefcase onto the seat with her. Static rose from the dispatch radio inside the cab, punctuated by squeaks from the windshield wipers as they arced across the glass. The cabbie turned to face Faith, bracing his arm across the seat. A tattoo on his forearm proclaimed him as #1 Mariners Fan.

  “Where to, lady?” he asked.

  Faith recited her address then closed the car door. Almost immediately it was flung open.

  “I already got a fare. You blind, mac!” the cabbie yelled.

  The newcomer held up his Wade County PD badge. Detective Joe Colson.

  Colson addressed the cabbie. “Can you give us a minute?”

  The cabbie groaned. “C’mon man, I’m trying to make a living here!” But he flung up his arms and left the vehicle.

  Colson got inside the car and sat beside Faith. He was tall and thick and needed more than the small amount of space that Faith and her briefcase did not occupy. He shifted position. It was not a comfortable fit for him or for Faith either as his body now brushed hers.

  He eyed Faith. “I worked the Fahey homicide.”

  Faith knew that Colson had been the lead detective. “What do you want?”

  He puckered his lips as if in contemplation. “I wouldn’t turn down a boat that I could sail around the world in.” He swiped the heel of his hand across the rain trickling down his face. “But for right now, I’d settle for a word with you.”

  Faith sat in silence.

  Colson’s expression hardened. “You think you’re going to get him off. That with another win in your impressive record, you’ll break out of the public defender’s office and be a rising star in some cushy private practice. Why you haven’t moved on already, is what I’m wondering.” Colson sneered. “Maybe you’ve tried and been told you’re not as good as you think you are.”

  Colson had no idea why Faith hadn’t moved on, despite offers to do so. “Are you done?”

  Colson scoffed. “I’m giving you notice. Gaines is not going to walk. I’ve made sure that he’s wrapped up tight for the jury.” Colson leaned toward her, close enough for Faith to smell his breath. A blend of coffee and chocolate. “I’d wish you a safe drive home,” he said, “but I’d be lying.”

  Colson left the vehicle, slamming the door.

  The cab driver returned. “Just so you know, I’m expecting a big tip on account of you putting me out like this, lady.”

  Without waiting for a response, he pulled away from the curb and joined the Friday afternoon traffic. A horn honked. The cabbie leaned on his own horn and flipped a trucker the bird.

  Timothy Fahey’s question returned to her.

  How can you live with yourself?

  Faith faced the window, where rain ran in rivulets down the glass, and as she had more times than she could count in the last three years, wondered the same thing.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Wade County Chief of Police Ryan Crosby pulled into the driveway of the house he’d lived in until one month earlier. It was a nice place, not large, and simple in design, but to a boy who’d grown up uncertain if his home would remain his home, this house had represented stability. He’d gone all out to make it a home, even putting up a white picket fence. Looking at the fence now, it seemed to mock him. The house itself no longer held any appeal for him. All he cared about was who was inside. His son.

  If not for the boy, Ryan had no desire to ever set foot in this house again. But for his child, he’d walk into hell which was very likely where he was going once his soon to be ex-wife opened the door.

  One month ago, Ryan had separated from his wife Tina and filed for divorce. Ryan had never expected he’d be a part time or weekend father but then expectations hadn’t played into the reality. It was what it was and he was going to have to deal. After not seeing his son in the last four weeks, he couldn’t wait to start his weekend with three-month-old Jeremy.

  Ryan grabbed an umbrella from the back seat to shield Jeremy from the rain then left his SUV and made his way to the covered front stoop. Tina answered his knock. The woman Ryan had married was a tall statuesque redhead. Absolutely gorgeous. Ryan knew what lay beneath all that beauty and he’d stopped reacting to her great looks a long time ago.

  As tall as Tina was, Ryan was a big man and she only reached as high as his chin. She cocked a hip against the door frame and stretched her arm along the dark wood. “What are you doing here?”

  Ryan gave her a level look. “I came for Jeremy.”

  “I didn’t agree to that.”

  Ryan struggled to hold on to his temper. “Yeah, you did. It’s Friday. I have him for t
his weekend.”

  “That doesn’t work for me.”

  “Too bad.”

  “You can’t have him.”

  “Why not?”

  She shrugged and one sleeve of the sheer blouse she wore slid down her shoulder. “I’ve made other plans.”

  “What plans?”

  “I don’t answer to you, Ryan.”

  “I have a right to see my son. You can’t keep him from me.”

  “Actually, I can. For another two weeks anyway until we go to court. We’ll let the judge decide how often you see Jeremy.”

  Ryan narrowed his eyes. “Why? Why the hell would you do that to me?”

  Her eyes glittered with malice. “If you wanted to be with your son so badly, you shouldn’t have left.”

  Ryan gave her a hard look. “You left first. Remember?”

  “But I’m here now.”

  “I’ve wondered about that. Why that is. Our reconciliation was a mistake. We both know that. Your lover not want you back now that you have a kid?”