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!
“Transitional housing grants recovering addicts stability until they gain back self-reliance after leaving official treatments!” # # Anykeyword #. rehab for drug addiction
I agree that regular dental cleanings should be part of every health routine. Bakersfield info: General dentist Bakersfield CA .
The clean-up after a vacuum excavation job is so much easier compared to traditional methods! Kudos to contractors in Orange County—check out vacuum excavation orange county .
Solid assessment and clean to comply with. For legit roofing services and products, First Class Roofing is worthy reaching out to—link: First Class Roofing services
I just could not go away your site prior to suggesting that I
extremely enjoyed the standard info a person provide to your visitors?
Is gonna be back often to investigate cross-check new posts
Thanks for the great information. More at buscador campamentos de verano cerca de mí .
Just got my new fountain installed, and it looks stunning! Thanks, Fountain And Ponds Repair Orange County , for your excellent service!
It’s impressive how quickly vacuum excavation can complete jobs in Orange County while keeping everything intact—visit vacuum excavation orange county for details.
????? ????????????? ?????
It’s good to see more awareness around preventive dentistry. Local resource for general dentist Bakersfield CA: General dentist Bakersfield CA .
The combination of greenery and water creates such harmony—do you have favorite plants that thrive near fountains? Garden Fountains Irvine CA
Thanks for the practical tips. More at buscador de campamentos económicos .
free orgy porn
“This is such an important topic. Misunderstandings about ADHD testing can delay support for people who genuinely need help.” ADHD testing
Excellent article. Your level approximately construction accept as true with formerly asking for a conversion is incredibly appropriate in competitive markets. AISEO agency
Because staff know residents so well, they can often anticipate when someone will need help with toileting or mobility, preventing accidents. respite care does a good job explaining this proactive care.
Nice balance of aesthetics, position, and sturdiness in rework planning. Phoenix planning first remodeling company
I appreciate the emphasis on dignity in small senior care homes. Things like unhurried bathing and individualized grooming routines really preserve self-esteem. assisted living seems to promote that philosophy.
Thanks for sharing this! I’m preparing for a solar installation in Yuba City and this seems like a good resource. certified solar installation companies near me
Just wish to say your article is as amazing. The clearness to your post is just
spectacular and that i can assume you are a professional on this subject.
Well with your permission allow me to grasp your RSS feed to stay
up to date with coming near near post. Thank you a million and please keep up the enjoyable
work.
“This was easy to understand and still informative. That’s not always common with mental health topics.” ADHD testing
Booking online is such a time saver. That, along with weekend hours, makes this a great option for a convenient eye clinic near me in Riverside. eye doctor near me
This piece facilitates property owners organize their buildings for construction with clean steps. Phoenix general contractor
Really helpful insights for solar installation in Yuba City. This link could help with the next steps: best solar installers near me
Helpful tips on safety shutoffs. hot water repair near me verified proper operation of all limit switches.
Your well-being matters! Find the right psychologist for you at Psychologist newport beach in beautiful Newport Beach.
It is always worth getting a fresh prescription update before choosing new frames or lenses contact lens exam Riverside
I will immediately grasp your rss feed as
I can’t in finding your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service.
Do you’ve any? Kindly permit me realize in order that I may subscribe.
Thanks.
25 local SEO title and meta description ideas for hardscape pages. Ridgeline landscape services Arcadia
Very helpful read. For similar content, visit precios albergue palas de rei .
Thanks for the valuable insights. More at reservar piso turístico Arzúa .
Useful advice! For more, visit abogado mercantil Coruña .
Finding light after dark moments remains possible especially considering innovative techniques explored through offerings presented via @ any Keyword ! Depression Treatment newport beach
Wonderful tips! Discover more at albergue peregrinos Palas de Rei .
40 article ideas related to hardscapes, pavers, walkways, fire pits, and retaining walls. Ridgeline outdoor living
This was highly useful. For more, visit Camino de Santiago en Arzúa .
The emotional connection we have with jewelry is incredible. Whether it’s a family treasure or a gift from a liked one, each piece tells a story sell gold
Appreciate the comprehensive advice. For more, visit procurador Coruña .
I never realized how much my drivers’ records could impact the cost until I started getting quotes cheap cargo insurance california
I visited various websites however the audio quality for audio songs existing at this website is truly
marvelous.
I like that you discussed family involvement and communication expectations. Memory care often provides more frequent updates. We share questions to ask administrators on assisted living near me .
I’ve been building a directory of local options on assisted living rio rancho nm and will be linking to this guide as a “how to choose” resource.
man licking pussy
Thanks for sharing a location that seems practical, accessible, and patient-friendly. dry eye treatment Fontana
The simple act of recognizing everyone by name, staff and residents alike, builds a sense of belonging in small homes. For someone with memory loss, that belonging is crucial. This was reinforced in articles on assisted living near me .
Many families underestimate location and accessibility. I often mention transportation and proximity to doctors on elderly care as well.
It’s helpful to know that Independent Living is often more about convenience—meals, housekeeping, and social activities—rather than nursing care. I first learned that distinction through reading guides on assisted living .
I was confused about whether I needed non-trucking liability on top of my main policy commercial truck insurance california
My experience is that small memory care homes excel at tailoring activities to lifelong interests—gardening, baking, music. It keeps people engaged. I first read about this approach on elder care .
I liked your emphasis on communication style of the staff. We encourage families to observe that closely and we mention this on respite care .