Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick''s latest case exposes San Diego&rsquo;s seedy underbelly in this nerve-shattering tale of romantic suspense from <New York Times< bestselling author Karen Rose.

On a long-anticipated second date with police psychologist Dr. Sam Reeves&mdash;right as things are getting steamy&mdash;Kit stumbles across the mutilated body of a local San Diego politician.&#160;The politician is loved by many of his constituents but is hated and reviled by many more. That the suspect list is long is no surprise to anyone, but exactly who ends up on it stuns Kit and her team.

As the SDPD reveal the victim&rsquo;s sinister dealings, Kit and Sam are forced to navigate the lawless world of the city&rsquo;s most rich and powerful citizens to find answers. But time is rapidly running out, with their sources of information dropping like flies as the killer methodically eliminates loose ends&mdash;and anyone else who stands in the way.

Autorentext
Karen Rose is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the bestselling New Orleans, Sacramento, Baltimore, and Cincinnati series. She has been translated into twenty-three languages, and her books have placed on the New York Times, the Sunday Times (UK), and Germany's der Spiegel bestseller lists.

Klappentext

"Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick's latest case exposes San Diego's seedy underbelly in this nerve-shattering tale of romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose. On a long-anticipated second date with police psychologist Dr. Sam Reeves-right as things are getting steamy-Kit stumbles across the mutilated body of a local San Diego politician. The politician is loved by many of his constituents but is hated and reviled by many more. That the suspect list is long is no surprise to anyone, but exactly who ends up on it stuns Kit and her team. As the SDPD reveal the victim's sinister dealings, Kit and Sam are forced to navigate the lawless world of the city's most rich and powerful citizens to find answers. But time is rapidly running out, with their sources of information dropping like flies as the killer methodically eliminates loose ends-and anyone else who stands in the way."--

Zusammenfassung
Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick's latest case exposes the dark side of San Diego’s high society in this nerve-shattering tale of romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose.

On a long-anticipated second date with police psychologist Dr. Sam Reeves—right as things are getting steamy—Kit stumbles across the mutilated body of a local San Diego politician. The man was loved by many of his constituents but is hated and reviled by many more. That the suspect list is long surprises no one, but exactly who ends up on it stuns Kit and her team.

As the SDPD reveal the victim’s sinister dealings, Kit and Sam are forced to navigate the closely guarded world of the city’s richest and most powerful citizens to find answers. But time is rapidly running out, with their sources of information dropping like flies as the killer methodically eliminates loose ends—and anyone else who stands in the way.

Leseprobe
Chapter One

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Borrego Springs, California

Saturday, January 7, 12:30 p.m.

Be careful," Sam said, pointing to a shrub next to the trail. "That's a catclaw. Its thorns are sharp."

"Okay," Kit said, giving the bush a wide berth and tugging on Snickerdoodle's leash to make sure that she kept her distance as well.

Their hike so far had been filled with similar safety callouts from Sam and not much else. It was . . .

Awkward, Kit thought with a wince. This date was not bad but just so awkward, and she had no idea what to do about it. The desert itself was beautiful in a stark way, and Sam had chosen a less traveled trail. They'd had complete solitude, not having seen another hiker for miles. The weather, while unforgiving in the summer, was perfect during the winter. The skies were clear, the cool breeze refreshing.

But as pretty as the landscape was, this day had been uncomfortable as hell.

Sam had picked her and Snickerdoodle up that morning and right away Kit had known something was wrong. Usually sweet and calm, Sam was tense and overly polite.

It was like they were strangers.

I've messed things up already, and I don't even know what I did wrong, she thought sadly.

The drive to the park had been quiet, their minimal conversation stilted. Sam had asked her a few questions in a cautious tone, and she'd replied equally cautiously in sentences that never managed to be more than a few words.

They'd started their hike in a muted mood, with Sam pointing out landmarks and plants like he was a tour guide. Brisk, efficient, but impersonal.

I have to fix this. Because not only did Sam sound impersonal, he seemed sad, which she couldn't stand. Especially if she'd caused it. Abruptly she stopped on the trail, Snickerdoodle obediently sitting at her side.

Sam had taken a few steps forward before realizing she was no longer beside him on the trail. Carefully he turned so that he and Siggy faced her. Sam's expression was blank, and Kit's heart dropped to her stomach. "Kit? You okay?"

"No." Her voice shook and she drew a breath. "I'm sorry."

His shoulders sagged, disappointment unmistakable in his eyes. "I know."

Panic flared, and she realized just how much she'd wanted this date to go well. How much she'd wanted to see Sam happy. "I did something. Ruined something. You're not happy. We're here, in the desert, and you're supposed to be happy."

He frowned. "What are you talking about? I thought . . ."

She took a step closer. "What?"

His throat worked as he swallowed. "I thought that you were going to say that this date was a mistake."

Her mouth dropped open. "What?"

He studied her face. "You're not thinking this was a mistake?"

"No. Just . . ." She kept her gaze focused on his. "I was scared of today."

"I figured you would be. I thought for sure you'd find a reason to cancel on me."

"I almost did."

One side of his mouth lifted in an almost-smile. "Not a shock. Who talked you into coming?"

"Rita," she said dolefully. "And Pop. Called me out on my bullshit. Is that why you've been so distant all day? You thought I was about to call this a mistake?"

He nodded warily. "Were you?"

She did look away then, taking in the desert around them. It really was beautiful. "I don't think so. I wanted to come here. With you. Wanted you to show me the desert and why you love it. But it's been more than six weeks since I asked you on this date. Enough time to second-guess myself. And maybe to second-guess you. You could have anyone. Everyone tells me so. I still don't know why you seem to want to be with me."

And that was the honest truth.

"Kit." He waited until she met his eyes again. "My feelings haven't changed. I want to be with you, but I don't want to rush you into anything you're not ready for. I can wait. You're worth waiting for."

She took another step forward, now so close that she could see the thick dark lashes framing his green eyes behind his Clark Kent glasses. Could see the freckles sprinkled across his nose now that he'd gotten some sun.

She could see his sincerity, the very thing that had originally drawn her to him. And suddenly she wasn't afraid anymore, because this was Sam. Other than her father, Sam was the kindest, gentlest man she knew. He would respect her limitations. And he'd protect her heart.

She needed to protect his as well.

"I'm ready for this date." She reached out, gripped his jacket, tugging him closer. "I want to know you better."

His chest expanded with the breath he drew. …