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!
I enjoyed this article on lawn maintenance. Avoiding overwatering is just as important as watering enough, especially during warmer months. More advice here: lawn service
I appreciate content that helps homeowners understand the value of proactive lawn care. For weed control help, check tree service .
Great tips on keeping trees healthy year-round. Regular pruning and inspections can make a huge difference. For anyone needing professional help, I recommend checking out lawn service .
A weed-free lawn definitely improves the look of any property. Professional companies such as lawn care can help achieve better long-term results.
Great insights on keeping lawns healthy and weed-free. Professional help from a trusted weed control company like pest control can make a big difference.
I should help with ethical options for selling a area cleansing industry in Austin. Tidy Hands Cleaners Austin
This article provided some really insightful tips on garage door repairs and installations, especially for those of us in the Gold Coast QLD 4217 area garage door repairs
Very helpful post. A thick lawn is one of the best natural defenses against weeds. Overseeding and proper fertilization can really help. For more ideas, check out tree service .
Excellent content about creating a lawn maintenance schedule that works throughout the year. lawn care
I’ve always believed that a clean lawn adds value to any home. Regular mowing, trimming, and weed control go a long way. weed control company is worth a visit.
Good pest control habits can save time and money in the long run. lawn care service provides more helpful insights.
The review was clear. I especially liked the overall structure.
Lawn maintenance is important for both appearance and long-term grass health. Visit lawn care .
When I search for “Pepperoni Pizza Boulder Colorado,” I look for photos that show the underside of the crust.
A “Pepperoni Pizza Boulder Colorado” roundup would be more useful if it distinguished whole pies from counter slices Pepperoni Pizza Boulder, Colorado
I constantly emailed this web site post page to all my friends, since if
like to read it after that my friends will too.
Great information for homeowners who want a healthier and greener yard. Local lawn knowledge can make a big difference. I recommend checking out tree service .
What do you order on your first visit to a pizza place?
I like a pizza place that sells slices at lunchtime pizza place
This article is useful for planning seasonal weed control. Spring and fall timing can make a big difference depending on the weed type. More here: lawn care service
I like the practical approach shared here. Checking window screens, door seals, and foundation gaps can help keep pests outside. More advice at lawn service .
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your weblog.
Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice
blog like this one nowadays.
Trees can become dangerous when they are diseased or unstable. lawn service can help assess the situation safely.
I appreciate these simple pest prevention suggestions. Cleanliness, sealing gaps, and regular checks are all important habits. Learn more at weed control company .
If you want, reply with one range: best event moving services in Long Island City
Keeping kitchens clean is one of the simplest but most effective pest prevention steps. Crumbs, grease, and open food containers can attract pests quickly. More tips can be found at lawn service .
online Casino neuruppin 5
euro neteller
I enjoyed this article because it covers several important aspects of keeping a lawn healthy. weed control company
A lawn that is mowed and maintained properly can make outdoor areas safer and more enjoyable. Helpful link: pest control
Very informative post. One thing that helps a lot is adjusting lawn care routines based on the season instead of using the same approach all year. More here: lawn care
This is a very informative post about pest prevention. I also found practical advice related to pest control at pest control .
??????????? ????? ????? ????????????? ?? ???????? ?????????? ??? ??????????? ??????????????????.
???????? ??? ???? ??????????????? ????????? ????? ??? ????????????? ?????????.
Stop by my webpage – ?????? ??????? ??????
Example remark 43: Nice explanation of the used automotive buying procedure. The more questions a buyer asks, the more advantageous the final determination primarily is. TM Motors Riverside
This is a valuable post for homeowners. Seasonal pest checks are often ignored until it is too late. pest control can be useful for pest control advice.
spielautomaten mit tether
Also visit my homepage; casino ohne lugas cashtocode (Dennis)
I found this while searching for Residential Plumbing Repairs Tacoma Residential Plumbing Repairs Tacoma
Nice post. Many property owners do not realize that weeds compete with grass for nutrients, water, and sunlight. lawn care
Outstanding quest there. What happened after? Thanks!
Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue along with your web site in web explorer, might check this?
IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a big part of people will pass over your great writing due to this
problem.
I agree that proper fertilization and weed control are essential for a healthy lawn. San Antonio lawns need special attention. weed control company shares more useful details.
casino apps mit startguthaben
Here is my webpage: beste instant win Spiele
I’ve noticed that sharp mower blades help the grass look cleaner and healthier after each cut. weed control company
I like how this article encourages choosing the right method instead of using the same approach everywhere. Weed control should always depend on the situation. More here: pest control
casino sofort auszahlung Handyguthaben 400 euro
einzahlen 2000 euro spielen
A well-maintained lawn adds beauty to any property, and weed control plays an important role. tree service
A thick, green lawn can improve the overall appearance of any property. Great information! lawn care
Lawn care is a great investment in your home’s appearance. A green, clean yard makes outdoor areas more enjoyable. More information is available at lawn care .
Excellent article on lawn maintenance. One thing I’ve learned is that cutting grass too short can cause more weeds and stress. I shared some additional lawn care tips here: lawn service
I found this while searching for AI Automation San Diego. What’s a manageable first project for a five-person office?
My AI Automation San Diego search turned up several intake tools AI Automation San Diego
Add that proper pruning techniques matter because bad cuts can damage a tree. pest control
Thanks for sharing this useful weed control guide. Consistency, correct identification, and early action are key to keeping lawns and gardens healthy. More resources: lawn care service
What should I bring to a first visit after searching Pain Management Denver?
I found this through Pain Management Denver and appreciated the explanation of what happens during an evaluation Pain Management Denver