Is It Too Late?
by
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“You already know all this! You investigated me, didn’t you?” she demanded as she planted both hands on the table and leaned towards him. “Why would you do that? Why would you go behind my back and dredge up stuff that was none of your business? If I wanted you or anyone else to know those things I would tell you. I didn’t go digging into your past.” Her knowledge of Morgan was based on only what he had told her and what she had observed herself. She felt betrayed. “Hold it. I did a basic search the day I pulled you over, just like I do of everyone I have ever pulled over or arrested. After meeting you I was intrigued and assuming I would never see you again, except of course for our court date, I decided to dig a little deeper,” he attempted to defend himself. “You had no right!” she exclaimed. “Maybe not,” he conceded. “But the reason I’m a good detective is because I follow my gut instincts and my gut said check this woman out. This is what I do, Dabria! This is who I am,” he said as he stood and forcefully thumped himself on the chest attempting to drive his justification home. “What else do you think you know?” she demanded. Since this was obviously going to be the make or break point of their relationship Morgan decided to lay all the cards on the table. “I know that you were investigated for being an accessory to attempted murder,” he quietly stated, “and that you were never charged.” “Are you telling me that knowing what you do about my past you’ve been able to disregard that knowledge? Can you honestly say that the unanswered question of my innocence doesn’t color every conversation we have? I don’t believe I’m any more suspicious than you are of people and I know that not knowing the answer to that question must eat at you. It would eat at me! Well, despite what the reports may have told you I’m a woman who is very private and I don’t trust easily. I’ve learned all this in the last year. I’m a different person than the one who lived in Rocky Mountain House. A year ago I would have naively excused your behavior. Today, I’m offended by your uninvited intrusion into my past. You, of all people, know there is more to a story than what appears on the surface. I can guarantee that not one of those reports told you I was devastated by the betrayal and death of David and overwhelmed by grief and guilt after Matthew’s death. I am well aware that I was a prime suspect for the harassment and attempted murder of Annah Andersson. And, guess what Mr. Detective, you will never really know if I was involved or not since everyone else that was involved is dead! Believe me when I say that the only living person that knows the whole truth isn’t about to share it with you or anyone else. Have a nice night, Detective. I have notes to finish for trial in the morning and I guarantee you, any personal interaction we had has come to an abrupt end.”
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About the Book
Petite, poised, private—three words that described Ms. Dabria Abdulla-Smythe quite aptly. Supercilious, sanguine, sexy as hell! Three more words that also suited her. You just never knew when you stopped someone on a routine traffic violation what you might actually be in for. This particular hot little number with her air of superiority, flashing toffee-colored eyes, and chocolate brown tresses definitely tweaked his interest. Unshaven, uncommon, unexpected—conceited country bumpkin! Well, maybe not quite a country bumpkin per se. If Mr. I’m-All-That-and-a-Bag-of-Chips Highway Patrolman thought he had bested her by forcing her to attend a court appearance, he had no idea who he was dealing with. She knew her craft well, and when it came to defending the accused, she was a barracuda in the courtroom. Newly relocated Legal Aid lawyer Dabria was attempting to flee the shame, regret, and heartache she’d experienced over the past year. A new city, a new job, and a quite retreat in the woods might be just the ticket to soothing her wounded spirit. Burnt out from a two-year undercover operation in the big city, the appeal of a new position in a tranquil northern Saskatchewan detachment was too tempting for Detective Morgan Vaughn to turn down. Two young urban professionals transfer to the country hoping for a more pastoral existence. But small cities can still harbor horrible secrets and hide monsters that practice unbelievable atrocities. When the monsters target Dabria, can she outrun them as well as her nightmares? Can Morgan protect this enigmatic pixie that has captured his heart? And when her own dark secrets are finally revealed, will he be honor bound to turn her in?
About the Author
An unfinished, abandoned hydro project was the intended destination of a late summer hike down into the river valley close to my home. The adventure had been suggested by my brother-in- law from Ontario who had read up on the La Colle Falls project and thought it might be interesting to check it out. The juices of my overactive imagination instantly started flowing when we stumbled across the unexpected. Pools of stagnant water, rotting vegetation, weathered graffiti, and an eerily silent breeze created an atmosphere that was obviously the perfect backdrop for a murder mystery. I had planned on using a minor character from my first book to be the main character in my second book. The fact that Dabria’s profession was law and that I have two close friends that are lawyers was not simply a happy coincidence. Having access to professionals in the field provided me with some accurate information regarding Canadian legal proceedings, private practice law offices, and Legal Aid offices. Although I tried to adhere to proper legal protocol and have the characters remain true to their oaths, for the sake of the story, I used poetic license in many instances. Since lawyers and murderers often appear on the same stage, this book seemed to be a natural amalgamation of my musings. The setting of my little ditty is an area I am very familiar with and have loved for many years. We purchased an old log trapper’s cabin on one of the nearby lakes a couple of years after my husband and I married. It was overrun with varmints and Virginia creeper. With lots of elbow grease and tender loving care, we restored and renovated it to showcase its former glory. Although we sold it when we moved to Alberta, my love of these lakes and log houses never died. Circumstances allowed us to return to the region a decade and a half later. Our latest adventure has us living in a log house on acreage in an area known as Lakeland. We live in a forest that is the entrance to northern Saskatchewan. Our life here allows us to skidoo from our property to trails that wind around and across the nearby lakes. In winter, we also snowshoe, ice fish, and skate on our frozen ponds. Dog sledding is one of the main events of our winter festival. I studied English at the University of Saskatchewan after graduating from high school, and I’ve been reading romantic suspense most of my life. Therefore, I consider myself well-versed in what is necessary for this genre—a little murder, a lot of love, some spicy scenes, and an intriguing mystery. I hope I have provided all those elements for you. L. E. Clarke