Kay Hooper - Stealing Shadows

Praise for Kay Hooper

HAUNTING RACHEL

A stirring and evocative thriller.

Palo Alto Daily News

The pace flies, the suspense never lets up. Its great reading.

The Advocate, Baton Rouge

An intriguing book with plenty of strange twists that will please the reader.

Rocky Mountain News

It passed the stay up late to finish it in one night test.

The Denver Post

FINDING LAURA

You always know you are in for an outstanding read when you pick up a Kay Hooper novel, but in Finding Laura, she has created something really special! Simply superb!

Romantic Times (gold medal review)

Hooper keeps the intrigue pleasurably complicated, with gothic touches of suspense and a satisfying resolution.

Publishers Weekly

A first-class reading experience.

Affaire de Coeur

Ms. Hooper throws in one surprise after another. Spellbinding.

Rendezvous

AFTER CAROLINE

Harrowing good fun. Readers will shiver and shudder.

Publishers Weekly

Kay Hooper comes through with thrills, chills, and plenty of romance, this time with an energetic murder mystery with a clever twist. The suspense is sustained admirably right up to the very end.

Kirkus Reviews

Peopled with interesting characters and intricately plotted, the novel is both a compelling mystery and a satisfying romance.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Kay Hooper has crafted another solid story to keep readers enthralled until the last page is turned.

Booklist

Joanna Flynn is appealing, plucky and true to her mission as she probes the mystery that was Caroline.

Variety

AMANDA

Amanda seethes and sizzles. A fast-paced, atmospheric tale that vibrates with tension, passion, and mystery. Readers will devour it.

Jayne Ann Krentz

Kay Hoopers dialogue rings true; her characters are more three-dimensional than those usually found in this genre. You may think youve guessed the outcome, unraveled all the lies. Then again, you could be as mistaken as I was.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Will delight fans of Phyllis Whitney and Victoria Holt.

Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine

Kay Hooper knows how to serve up a latter-day gothic that will hold readers in its brooding grip.

Publishers Weekly

I lapped it right up. There arent enough good books in this genre, so this stands out!

Booknews from The Poisoned Pen

Kay Hooper has given you a darn good ride, and there are far too few of those these days.

Dayton Daily News

Bantam Books by Kay Hooper

T HE B ISHOP T RILOGIES
Stealing Shadows
Hiding in the Shadows
Out of the Shadows

Touching Evil
Whisper of Evil
Sense of Evil

Hunting Fear
Chill of Fear
Sleeping with Fear

Blood Dreams
Blood Sins

T HE Q UINN N OVELS
Once a Thief
Always a Thief

R OMANTIC S USPENSE
Amanda
After Caroline
Finding Laura
Haunting Rachel

C LASSIC F ANTASY AND R OMANCE
On Wings of Magic
The Wizard of Seattle
My Guardian Angel (anthology)
Yours to Keep (anthology)
Golden Threads
Something Different / Peppers Way
C.J.s Fate
The Haunting of Josie
Illegal Possession
If There Be Dragons
Rebel Waltz
Larger Than Life
Time After Time

There arent enough good teachers in the world.

This book is dedicated to
Mary Anne Head
Jane Bigger staff
and Betty Hough,
with appreciation and thanks
for helping to make school an interesting place
for my niece, Beth.

Talk to me, Cassie.

She was all but motionless in the straight-backed chair, head bowed so that her hair hid her face. Only her hands stirred, thin fingers lightly tracing and shaping the red tissue petals of the exquisitely handmade paper rose in her lap.

I think hes moving, she whispered.

Where is he moving? What can you see, Cassie? Detective Logans voice was even and infinitely patient, betraying none of the anxiety and urgency that beaded his face with sweat and haunted his eyes.

I Im not sure.

From his position a few feet away, Logans partner spoke in a low voice. Whys she so tentative with this one?

Because he scares the shit out of her, Logan responded, equally quietly. Hell, he scares the shit out of me. He raised his voice. Cassie? Concentrate, honey. What does he see?

Dark. Its just its dark.

All right. What is he thinking?

She drew a shaky little breath, and those thin fingers trembled as they held and traced the paper rose. II dont want to Its so cold in his mind. And there are so many shadows. So many twisted shadows. Please dont make me go any deeper. Dont make me touch them.

Logans already grim face grew bleaker at the fear and revulsion in her voice, and it was his turn to draw a steadying breath. When he spoke, his voice was cool and certain. Cassie, listen to me. You have to go deeper. For the sake of that little girl, you have to. Do you understand?

Yes, she replied forlornly, I understand. There was a moment of silence so absolute, they could hear the soft crackle of the tissue paper she touched.

Where is he, Cassie? What is he thinking?

Hes safe. He knows hes safe. Her head tilted to one side, as though she were listening to a distant voice. The cops will never find him now. Bastards. Stupid bastards. He left them all those clues and they never saw them.

Logan didnt allow himself to be distracted by the disturbing information. Stop listening to him, Cassie. Look at what hes doing, where hes going.

Hes going to get the girl. To take her to his secret place. Hes ready for her now. Hes ready to

Where is it? Whats around him, Cassie?

Its dark. Shes hes got her tied up. Hes got her tied up in the backseat of a car. Its in a garage. Hes getting into the car, starting the engine. Backing out of the garage. Oh! I can hear her crying.

Dont listen, Logan insisted. Stay with him, Cassie. Tell me where hes going.

I dont know. Her voice was desolate. Its so dark. I cant see beyond the headlights.

Watch, Cassie. Look for landmarks. What kind of road is he on?

Its a blacktop. Two lanes. There are mailboxes, were driving past mailboxes.

Good, Cassie, thats good. He glanced aside at his partner, who grimaced helplessly, then returned his attention to that dark, bent head. Keep looking. Keep watching. You have to tell us where hes going.

For a few moments there was nothing but the sound of her breathing, quick and shallow. And then, abruptly she said, Hes turning. The street sign says Andover.

Logans partner moved a few steps away and began talking softly into a cell phone.

Keep watching, Cassie. What do you see? Talk to me.

Its so dark.

I know. But keep watching.

Hes thinking horrible things.

Dont listen. Dont go too deep, Cassie.

She lifted her head for the first time since they had begun, and Logan flinched. Her eyes were closed. Hed never seen such pallor in a human face before. Not a living face. And that pale, pale skin was stretched tautly over her bones.