To celebrate the upcoming release of Deadlock(June 25th!), my publisher has arranged a Scavenger Hunt! Follow the links at the end of each stop and collect clues along the way! At the end of the Scavenger Hunt, enter your clues to be entered to win the grand prize: a Nespresso Espresso maker and coffee goodies to keep your all-night hacking (or reading) sessions going strong. You might find a few bonus giveaways in hidden links throughout the Scavenger Hunt, too, including print copies of Deadlock!
To get you started, here is the first chapter of Deadlock! I’m so excited for you to meet Lindsey and Jace.
Chapter 1:
I’m going to kill my sister.
Lindsey Morris gritted her teeth into a smile for the photo her jolly Aunt Martha snapped, the silent threat in her head becoming more of an inevitable truth with each passing moment. God knows, it wasn’t unlike her twin sister Lena to flake out on her, but their parents’ fortieth anniversary party was something the two of them had been planning for months. All for Lena to leave Lindsey holding the bag. Again.
Relieved from picture duty at last, she left her parents and hustled in her towering heels across the banquet hall to check on the champagne, dodging cousins and uncles and aunts. She hadn’t seen some of them in years. If a certain sister hadn’t left her running this entire show, she might have had time to stop and catch up with each of them.
All of it had come together nicely, though. Her parents were beaming in front of a life-size poster of one of their wedding pictures, forty years having done nothing to dim their happiness and love for each other. Lindsey snapped a picture of her own before slipping out the door into an echoing hallway to dial Lena. As expected, her sister’s voicemail greeting chirped in her ear.
“Hello?” A long pause ensued, during which Lindsey’s blood pressure spiked. “Gotcha! Sorry, you don’t get to talk to me right now. If you want to talk to me later, better make it good.”
Lindsey waited for the tone. “I don’t want to talk to you. I want to strangle you. Dammit, Lena, where are you?”
Hours passed before she could get away to the blissful solitude of her apartment, where she hoped a glass of wine and a Simpsons marathon might make her feel a little better. But even Bart and Homer’s animated antics weren’t enough. Her anger had burned away to sad ashes, and she couldn’t get her parents’ disappointed faces out of her mind. It would serve Lena right if none of them ever spoke to her again, as drastic as it sounded, but something about Lena made one eager to trust her and believe her when she made the promises she never kept. And the anger Lindsey felt when that inevitably happened could just as easily be turned on herself for enabling her twin, for never enforcing any consequences when Lena flaked out.
But how many times had she tried? How many times had it worked?
Then her glass was empty, and she poured another, sitting alone on her couch and staring at the way the light from the TV played hypnotically through the crimson depths as she swirled the liquid in her glass. Everything she was doing to make herself feel better was having the opposite effect. The fact she had no one to vent her frustrations to made it worse. Bad-mouthing her sister to their parents wasn’t an option, especially today—they were probably on the plane for their anniversary trip to Cabo San Lucas.
Lucky them.
“I need a vacation, too,” Lindsey told her wineglass. It was the only one there to listen. Then, sighing, she set it down on her coffee table and picked up her phone, shooting ramrod straight when she saw that she had somehow missed a text from Lena twenty minutes ago. She’d probably been in the kitchen scavenging.
Sorry. Ran into some trouble. Give Mom and Dad my love. I need a favor. Go to this address and ask him for help. Please. It will all become clear.
An address followed, which Lindsey’s eyes scanned without seeing. Her brain had shorted out on the word “favor.”
“Are you freaking kidding me?” she asked her phone, gripping it with a force that threatened to shatter it.
Lena in trouble was nothing new. Ever since high school, on through college, and even after, she’d been getting herself or someone else into shit she couldn’t always talk her way out of. Thinking Lindsey would simply forget about tonight and rush in to help her was simply par for the course, but Jesus, it had to stop sometime, didn’t it?
One thing was for sure. No way was she going to that address, wherever it was. To some strange place to ask someone she didn’t know for—what, even? Who was she supposed to be looking for? She wasn’t about to let Lena make her look like an idiot on top of everything.
No one else could get her off her warm cocoon on the couch to face the biting cold. She didn’t know what she might find at her sister’s apartment; she didn’t care, but she was going all the same. Lena probably wouldn’t be there, but maybe it wouldn’t be too difficult to nose around and find out where she was. Then she would go find her, even if she had to hop on a plane to do it.
There were some things she desperately needed to say to Lena’s face, and it was well past time.
She rushed through her apartment, throwing on a coat and shoving her feet into boots, her pulse pounding in her ears. No one else on earth could push her buttons like this. Lindsey hadn’t trusted Lena since college, her twin’s antics during that particular time of their lives having been the final straw.
Yes, she was her sister. Yes, Lindsey still loved her as such. Gossip sessions, shopping trips, friendship…those areas had always come easily. But real trust?That ship had sailed years ago, when Lena had pulled what was probably her cruelest stunt of all—at least that Lindsey knew of. The skeletons that could lurk hidden in Lena’s closet were enough to give her cold chills. The two of them had the same face, and Lena probably had enough enemies that Lindsey should look over her own shoulder when she walked down the street.
In the back of the Uber she called because wine and rage and driving didn’t mix, she white-knuckled her purse straps all the way to her sister’s apartment, going over everything she wanted to say in her mind in case Lena was there. Confrontation ordinarily tied her tongue up in knots, and no doubt it would this time.
She had to have her words straight in her head or they would slip right out. But niggling in the back of her mind was the fact that their parents would never get over an irreparable rift between them, no matter the cause. It was enough for her to rein in on a few of the epithets she wished to hurl at Lena’s perpetually smug face. But not many.
If Lena was off having a grand adventure with plans to show up next week thinking all was well—she added the epithets back in.
Long ago, Lena had given Lindsey a key to her apartment so she could water her plants while she was away. The plants had died anyway—Lena didn’t even take care of them herself after she got home from wherever she’d been. But Lindsey had hung on to the key, and it had come in handy more than once. She stalked directly to her sister’s door, lifted her fist to beat on it, thought better of it—she might not even answer—and fit the key into the lock.
The sight that greeted her as she flipped the nearby light switch caused her heart to stutter and her breath to catch, momentarily choking her.
Her sister’s apartment was trashed.
Scavenger Hunt: Where are Lindsey’s parents going for their anniversary trip?
Next stop, Melynda Price
Deadlock releases June 25th! You can pick it up in paperback from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold. Add it on Goodreads!
Well done! Find more at glazier .
Useful post for anyone dealing with plumbing issues. For service in Burlington, ON, fast emergency plumber Burlington could be a good place to start.
This was very well put together. Discover more at double glazing installers Nine Elms .
Useful post, especially for homeowners dealing with recurring drain problems. For plumber Brampton options, Red Seal plumber Brampton may help.
casino storten met revolut
Also visit my blog post: blackjack 5 euro inzet
The advice to consider safety features like grab bars, emergency call systems, and 24-hour staffing is spot on. When I studied community safety standards, I found detailed checklists on assisted living rio rancho nm .
Thanks for posting this. Water leaks can cause serious damage, so Vaughan residents should consider affordable plumber Vaughan Ontario for plumbing help.
What makes a Pub feel welcoming on a first visit?
A clear Pub menu helps everyone plan before heading out.
This Pub guide raises some useful questions about atmosphere Pub
You could share maintenance tips for laundry room plumbing. emergency leak repair Milton
hoeveel legale casino dat gratis spins geeft (Maisie) belgie
I appreciate these practical plumbing tips. Regular drain cleaning and leak detection are important for Oakville homes, especially older properties. immediate plumbing emergency Oakville may be helpful for anyone needing local plumbing assistance.
Love that you mentioned involving the senior in the decision. We talk about family communication strategies a lot on assisted living santa fe nm .
Thanks for the helpful article. More like this at local window repair .
This is a timely reminder to handle leaks early. Burlington residents looking for plumbing assistance can check affordable plumber Burlington Ontario .
baccarat mobiel
Have a look at my blog; 300% Bonus casino nederland
The explanation about who pays for what—private pay, long-term care insurance, or government programs—across Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Nursing Homes is very important. I found similar financial breakdowns on assisted living albuquerque .
Hi, I do believe this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it ;)
I’m going to return yet again since i have bookmarked it.
Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.
Useful advice! For more, visit double-glazed windows South Lambeth .
native united statesn casino rights, cash online poker canada and best australia online casinos, or fastest withdrawal online casino canada no deposit bonus
my web blog is legalized gambling good economics for states (Brook)
What should someone ask at a first Cosmetic Dentistry consultation?
This Cosmetic Dentistry overview makes the different treatment choices easier to compare Cosmetic Dentistry
Excellent 24/7 carrier through lost car keys retrieval when I wished an Orlando locksmith after hours.
I’ve noticed that Independent Living focuses heavily on lifestyle amenities like fitness centers and outings, which you mentioned. When browsing communities on senior living near me , those features were clearly listed for easy comparison.
This was very beneficial. For more, visit emergency glazier Clapham .
This post is a good reminder to check pipes, faucets, and drains regularly to prevent unexpected plumbing problems. certified water heater plumber Mississauga
This article offers good advice for keeping a plumbing system in better condition. If you are in Brampton, licensed and certified plumber Brampton is a helpful link.
Nicely detailed. Discover more at certified glazier Chelsea .
Good article! Plumbing problems need quick attention, and 24/7 emergency plumber Vaughan seems useful for people searching for a plumber in Vaughan.
Great points about plumbing inspections. A small issue found early can save a lot of money later. For reliable plumbing information in Oakville, visit residential plumber Oakville ON .
This was a fantastic read. Check out commercial glazier Stockwell for more.
A better approach is to comment on Milton plumbing articles with real advice, disclose your affiliation, and include emergency boiler repair Milton only if the website allows relevant links.
Wonderful tips! Find more at glazier for windows earls court .
The emotional comfort of being known and seen makes accepting help with ADLs so much easier for seniors. That’s why I’m more interested in options like senior care rather than large institutions.
Winolot on suomalainen pikakasino, jossa pelataan Trumolla ilman erillistä rekisteröitymistä.
Valikoimassa slotit, live-kasino ja urheiluvedonlyönti.
Thanks for the thorough analysis. More info at commercial glazing Battersea .
I’ve seen small homes where caregivers sit and have meals with residents, naturally assisting with eating and conversation. That sense of togetherness is exactly what assisted living santa fe nm talks about.
Match immersion ultrasonic testing to your evaluation requirements for a more focused component assessment. Additional reading
This is a great reminder to have a trusted plumber’s contact ready before an emergency happens. For those in Brampton, emergency leak repair Brampton is worth saving.
You could discuss the risks of using harsh chemical drain cleaners too often. local plumber Milton, Ontario
Very helpful content. Bathroom and kitchen plumbing should always be maintained properly to avoid leaks and clogs. Anyone in Vaughan can check local plumber Vaughan for support.
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow,
just wanted to say excellent blog!
wettseiten mit startguthaben
Feel free to visit my blog post: Olympia Basketball Wetten
Plumbing emergencies are stressful, especially when they happen after hours. If you need an emergency plumber Mississauga service, visit licensed plumbing contractors Mississauga .
Arthritis Pain Management deserves a conversation about daily comfort as well as symptoms.
Clear explanations can make discussions about joint pain easier to follow Arthritis Pain Management
This was very beneficial. For more, visit energy efficient glazing .
When comparing Residential Pest Control Services, a clear explanation of the inspection process is helpful.
It makes sense to understand which pests a service actually covers.
A detailed visit summary can make follow-up conversations easier Residential Pest Control Services
This was highly educational. More at window frame repair parsons green .
Medical Marijuana rules can be confusing when information varies by location.
What questions should someone bring to a first Medical Marijuana consultation?
This Medical Marijuana overview explains unfamiliar terms clearly Medical Marijuana
Locked out of my auto in Orlando— car key coding cost turned into authentic and environment friendly.
Appreciate the useful tips. For more, visit 24/7 glazier west brompton .
Appreciate the thorough analysis. For more, visit energy efficient double glazing Nine Elms .