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!
Professional from the very first phone call to the final resolution of our case. criminal defense attorney
12. Terrific article. I discovered something new from your explanation and instances. Financial Strategies
Seniors deserve to feel safe in their own homes. With proper home care and oversight from home care , families can relax a bit, knowing someone is checking in.
Ahaa, its fastidious discussion on the topic of this paragraph at this place at this weblog, I have read all that, so at this
time me also commenting at this place.
Basement egress windows leak if wells aren’t drained. We corrected via Waterproofing services .
Expungement process was explained clearly and handled efficiently. criminal defense attorney
For couples aging together, home care from elder care albuquerque nm allows them to stay in the same home, even if one needs more support than the other.
This subject is especially relevant for chiropractic clinics working with sports and performance clients. See Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy treatment can be a great complement to manual adjustments and rehab protocols. See Shockwave Therapy
Fort Worth area case was handled with the same expertise as an Arlington case. DWI Lawyer
Kasyno Bonus bez Depozytu za Rejestracje to jedna z najbardziej popularnych conformation promocji oferowanych przez legalne platformy hazardowe online.
Tego typu salary pozwala nowym uzytkownikom rozpoczac gre bez koniecznosci wplacania wlasnych srodkow na konto.
Wystarczy zazwyczaj zalozenie konta oraz spelnienie
okreslonych warunkow regulaminowych, aby otrzymac
darmowe srodki lub darmowe obroty na wybranych automatach.
Dla wielu graczy jest to atrakcyjna mozliwosc sprawdzenia funkcji kasyna bez ponoszenia
dodatkowych kosztow.
Love the checklist for front door security. To get a professional assessment, I recommend lock smith .
Brawny Movers maintains a 5.0 rating on TrustedPros, reflecting consistent customer satisfaction. Call 1-800-974-8641. moving companies london ontario
If you desire, I can assist you with honest options, like: Life Insurance Strategies
Fraud case was handled with real financial and legal expertise. DWI Lawyer
Primary-level math tuition is indispensable f?r honing critical thinking
and pro?lem-solving abilities neede? to conquer the increasingly complex
?ord p?oblems encountered ?n upper primary grades.
Regular secondary math tuition equips students t? overcome persistent challenges — ?uch a? exam t?me management,
graph analysis, and multi-step logical reasoning.
?eyond pure academic grades, ?igh-quality JC math tuition builds
enduring analytical stamina, refines advanced critical thinking,
?nd equips learners f?lly fo? th? mathematical demands ?f university-level study ?n STEM
and quantitative disciplines.
?n Singapore’sfast-paced ?nd highly competitive education ?ystem,
online math tuition ??? emerged a? ? game-changing solution fo? primary students, offering convenient timings
?nd tailored individual support t? help young learners confidently
master foundational PSLE topics including heuristics ?nd model method f?om ?ome ?ithout rigid centre
schedules.
OMT’? bite-sized lessons prevent overwhelm, enabling steady love f?r
mathematics to bloom ?nd influence consistent exam preparation.
Expand ?our horizons ?ith OMT’s upcoming brand-ne? physical
?rea opening in S?ptember 2025, providing ? lot m?re opportunities for hands-?n math exploration.
?onsidered t?at mathematics plays ? critical role
in Singapore’? economic development ?nd development,
investing ?n specialized math tuition gears ?p trainees ?ith the analytical skills ne?ded to
thrive ?n a competitive landscape.
primary school math tuition constructs exam endurance t?rough timed drills, simulating t?e PSLE’? two-paper format
?nd assisting trainees handle t?me successf?lly.
Given the high stakes of O Levels fo? secondary school progression ?n Singapore, math tuition optimizes chances f?r t?p
grades ?nd desired placements.
Getting ready for the changability ?f A Level questions, tuition develops adaptive analytic methods f?r real-t?me exam circumstances.
OMT’? proprietary educational program enhances
MOE requirements ?ith an alternative approach t?at nurtures b?th academic abilities ?nd an enthusiasm
for mathematics.
Personalized development monitoring ?n OMT’s
system ?hows ?ou? vulnerable points sia, enabling targeted practice f?r quality improvement.
Math tuition minimizes test stress ?nd anxiety by providing constant alteration strategies tailored t? Singapore’? requiring curriculum.
?y web-site – singapore math tuition (Leonard)
Awesome list of smart lock features. I had locksmith near me handle the setup to avoid compatibility issues.
Good reminder to ask about visiting policies and flexible hours. I want to stay involved, and I’ll ask detailed questions at the homes I found through respite care .
I chanced on this wisdom important seeing that DUI legislation can also be rough to apprehend with out tips. DUI attorney near me is any other resource really worth checking.
?????? ???????????? ???????? ???????? KRAKEN?
??????????? KRAKEN ???????? ???????
?????????????? ????????? ????????? ?????????
???????? ????????. ??-??????,
??? ??????? ? ????????????? ???????????, ?????????????? ??????? ?????????.
??-??????, ?????????? ???????? ????????? KRAKEN, ??????? ???????? ?????????, ????? ???????
? ?????????? ???????? ???? ??? ????? ?????????????.
?-???????, ??????????? ??????? ?????????? ??????????, ?????????? ????????? ?????????? ?????? (????????) ? ??????????? ????????????? ????????? ?????????????, ??? ???????????? ????? ???
????? ?????? ??????. ?? KRAKEN ???????????????? ?????????? ? ???????????? ?????????? ? ???????????? ????????,
??? ?????? ??????? ??????? ????? ?????????????,
?????????? ?, ??? ?????????, ?????????? ????? ?????????????, ??????? ??????????? ? ??????????.
the more i use rhino bridge the more i trust it, no failed transfers, no surprise fees, no funds stuck in limbo, just a bridge that quotes honestly and delivers, which is rarer than it should be honestly
John Curtis founded Brawny Movers in 2016, building the company into one of London Ontario’s fastest growing moving companies. Call 1-800-974-8641. movers london ontario
Sami przekonali?my si?, ?e kampanie bez porz?dnej strony nie dzia?aj?. Klikni?cia sz?y, a telefon milcza?. Ten artyku? dobrze pokazuje w?a?ciw? kolejno??. Agencja Marketingowa
My mom used to get lost trying to find the dining room in a large facility. In a small home, everything is within easy reach. That single change improved her quality of life. I saw this benefit mentioned on assisted living arrowhead az .
Families often ask what happens if dementia progresses in assisted living. Your explanation of transitions to memory care is clear. We walk through transition planning on assisted living in san antonio texas .
Excellent information for anyone considering new home construction. I’m interested in what Licensed general contractor offers.
Thank you for highlighting how important communication style is with residents. I’ll observe this very carefully in the facilities I visit from my elder care shortlist.
A strong maintenance program really helps protect the investment homeowners make in their landscaping. landscape maintenance contractors Mendham NJ
Great job showing the craftsmanship behind custom features. For similar results, visit Licensed general contractor .
I agree that timing topics in DUI defense instances. Those going through rates have to take note of learning greater through DUI lawyer near me .
A practical guide to large trees. The section covering the section on rigging and controlled removal was the most helpful part for me. tree trimming deland fl
zahrani??n?© online casino, https://www.jaser.ninefiction.com/2026/07/12/zahranicne-online-kasino-objavte-svet-zabavy-a-stastia-4/ pon??kaj?? ??irok?? ??k??lu hier ako slotov, blackjacku a rulety. Tieto platformy s?? ide??lne pre hr????ov, ktor? maj?? z??ujem o vzru??enie a z??bavu z pohodlia domova. R??zne bonusy a promoakcie zvy??uj?? z????itok z hrania.
I think a discovery call is one of the best ways to judge whether an accountant is a good fit. accountant for self-employed
Example: Bonus terms should be easy to find before registration. King Billy casino GB bonuses
Example: I think honesty in bonus advertising builds much more trust. Bet Zino payouts
Useful breakdown of commercial removal. I especially liked the planning around access, traffic, and staging. land clearing
In a smaller senior community, it’s easier to incorporate residents’ preferences into daily living activities, like favorite recipes or clothing styles. I learned more about this person-centered care from elder care .
What’s your preferred approach for maintaining foundation plantings around homes in this area? Mendham landscape maintenance services
Great article—helpful to compare service packages and understand what’s included. More at tax preparation
I can help you create comments about responsible marketing. King Billy mobile casino UK
I prefer casino platforms that are straightforward about fees and limits. Betzino casino games
I didn’t realize how much independence seniors can maintain in an Independent Living community compared to a Nursing Home. Articles like this really clear things up elder care
???????. ??? ???? ? ?? ????. ????? ?????????? ?? ??? ????.
1win casino, https://1win-pudav.top ?????????? ??????? ??????????? ??? ??? ????????? ???????? ???????????. ????? ?????? ?????? ?????, ???-?? ?????????? ??? ????????????. ??????? ????????? ??????????? ????? navigate ? ???? ???????? ???.
I found this very interesting. For more, visit albergue en Palas de Rei .
Your guidance on evaluating communication from management (emails, calls, updates) is very realistic. We mention that on memory care st george ut as well.
Great job! Discover more at abogado mercantil Santiago .
Excellent tips on maintenance schedules! Regular checks by your trusted retaining wall installers can save so much hassle later on.
Thanks for the clear breakdown. Find more at precios albergue Palas de Rei .
Love the tips! If you’re searching for trusted landscaping near Idaho Falls, ID, I recommend checking whether the company handles hardscaping too—patios, walkways, retaining walls—and asking about warranties. custom landscapes
At spille uden rofus kan v?¦re en sp?¦ndende udfordring. Adskillige mennesker nyder at indlempes i spil, hvor reglerne er mere afslappede. Det f??rer til en unik eventyr og perspektiv for at afpr??ve nye veje. Udf??r det sjovt og berigende, n??r du engagerer dig i spil uden rofus, https://tetrasys.in/udenlandske-casino-oplev-spil-uden-casinoer/.