Alex Kava - A Necessary Evil (Maggie ODell Novels)

Praise for the novels of

ALEX KAVA

"Not for the faint of heart, A Necessary Evil . is a terrific thriller that should keep your pulse racing."
__ Peter Robinson, author of Strange Affair

"Alex Kava knows the psychology of evil."
__ -John Philpin, forensic psychologist and author

"Kava's writing is reminiscent of Patricia Cornwell in her prime."
__ MysteryInk

"Meet Kava's FBI special agent Maggie O'Dell. But beware __ it could be the start of a new addiction."
__ Peterborough Evening Telegraph, U.K.

"... explosive climax. This is a one-night read."
__ Publishers Weekly on One False Move

"Kava's eye for the details of criminal investigation and the corrupting darkness of the criminal mind makes for a chilling, compelling read."
__ BookPage onOne False Move

"Kava really does her forensic homework... continuing to demonstrate her ability to create unforgettable yet realistic monsters."
__ Bookreporter on At the Stroke of Madness

"Scarpetta-like authenticity and the psychological insights of Alex Delaware... "
__ Publishers Weekly on The Soul Catcher

"Readers have a front row seat to the ultimate cat and mouse game."
__ TheBest Reviews on Split Second

"Alex Kava has created a suspenseful novel and created a winning character in Agent O'Dell."
__ Washington Post book World on A Perfect Evil

Also by ALEX KAVA

ONE FALSE MOVE

ATTHE STROKE OF MADNESS

THE SOUL CATCHER

SPLIT SECOND

A PERFECT EVIL

Coming June 2007

WHITEWASH

MIRA

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as "unsold and destroyed" to die publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this "stripped book."

ISBN-13: 978-O-7783-2434-8 ISBN-10: 0-7783-2434-6

A NECESSARY EVIL

Copyright 2006 by S.M. Kava.

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of fhe publisher, MIRA Books, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada MSB 3K9.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

MIRA and the Star Colophon are trademarks used under license and registered in Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, United States Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries.

www.MIRABooks.com

Printed In U.S.A.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Once again, many thanks to all the professionals who generously gave of their time, and expertise. If I've gotten any of the facts wrong or have creatively manipulated a fact or two, it's my doing and not theirs. Also special thanks to my family and friends who continue to support me despite my long absences.

My appreciation and special thanks go to:

Deborah Groh Carlin for your love and support, but also for your constant help in researching, brainstorming and making sense of the puzzle pieces along the way, not to mention putting up with my annoying "writer quirks." You are a true friend and partner in crime.

Amy Moore-Benson, my agent and friend, for being my advocate and being there time after time no matter how small the question or how difficult the problem.

Feroze Mohammed, my editor, for challenging me to make this my best book yet

Patricia Kava, my good Catholic mother, who allows me to tackle tough subjects in my novels, all the while lighting candles for me.

Emilie Carlin for your love and support, but also for sharing your own wonderful stories and making them such a delight to listen to.

Leigh Ann Retelsdorf Deputy County Attorney and friend, for being my go-to person whenever I have a "killer of a question."

Detective Sergeant Bill Jadlowski of the Omaha Police Department for inspiring the creation of Detective Tommy Pakula.

Christopher Kava, my nephew, for helping me understand teenage boys and their computer obsessions... er, I mean computer skills.

Mary Means for taking such good care of my kids while I'm on the road.

Sharon Car Fellow writer and friend, for being there no matter how much time transpires between our lunch dates.

Marlene Haney and Sandy Rockwood for your unconditional love, support and friendship.

Patti El-Kachouti for always being there.

Patti Bremmer, fellow writer and her husband, Martin, for your friendship and inspiration.

Patricia Sierra and her mother Kay, for cheering up and cheering on, and always at just the right times.

Father Dave Korth for exemplifying the very best of your profession and being a constant reminder of good.

A special thank-you to my new friends and neighbors in the Florida Panhandle for showing me what true strength and perseverance looks like while we picked up the pieces after Hurricane Ivan and then did it all over again after Hurricane Dennis.

And last but certainty not least thank you to all the librarians, bookstore owners and managers, book buyers and sellers around the country and around the world for recommending my books.

This book is dedicated to all you faithful readers who insisted on the return of Father Keller

From San Mateo, California, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from McCook Nebraska, to Milan, Italy __ it didn't matter where I went or which of my five books I was promoting, readers always asked the same question. "When are you going to take care of Father Keller?"

I must confess that five years ago when I wrote A Perfect Evil, I never dreamed it would make such an impact on so many of you. And so this book, ANecessary Evil is dedicated to all of you who have patiently waited for this long-overdue sequel.

Please consider this book my thank-you for an invaluable lesson that as writers and storytellers we do have the ability to breathe life into characters __ characters who otherwise live only in our imaginations. And with that ability comes, perhaps, a certain responsibility to allow those characters to continue to breathe, to speak, to grow and even to be brought to justice.

"It is necessary only for the good

to do nothing for evil to triumph."

__ Edmund Burke

Friday, July 2
Eppley Airport
Omaha, Nebraska

Monsignor William O'Sullivan was certain no one had recognized him. So why was his forehead damp? He hadn't gone through the security checkpoint yet. Instead, he had decided to wait until it got closer to his flight time. Just in case someone did recognize him. On this side, he could still pretend to be picking up a colleague rather than admit he was leaving.

He fidgeted in the plastic chair, clutching the leather portfolio closer to his chest. So close, so tight it seemed to crush his lungs, causing that pain again, a pain he may have dismissed too quickly as heartburn. But of course, it was only heartburn. He simply wasn't used to eating such a large meal for lunch, but he knew the flight to New York and the later one to Rome would include cardboard renditions of food, causing much more damage to his overly sensitive stomach than Sophia's leftover meat loaf and mashed potatoes did.

Yes, surely the leftovers were responsible for his discomfort, he told himself, and yet his eyes darted around the busy airport terminal, looking for a bathroom. He remained seated, not wanting to move until he examined and found an acceptable path. He shoved a thumb and index finger up under his wire-rim glasses to dig the fatigue out of his eyes, and then he began his search again.