Nancy Mehl - Fire Storm (Kaely Quinn Profiler Book #2)

Eighteen years later

Kaely turned the heat up in her recently purchased SUV. She spent most of her time in government-owned cars. Having her own vehicle gave her a sense of control. Helped her feel a little more independent.

She checked her GPS. It was set for Darkwater, Nebraska, a small, nondescript Midwestern town in flyover country.

Kaely hadnt planned to visit her mother, but a call from her brother, Jason, changed everything. Jessie, hed said, using her given name. Mom is sick. Really sick. The doctors thought they got all the cancer, but it seems to have surged back with a vengeance. Its stage three. Shes on some kind of experimental treatment, but the doctor says theres no guarantee itll work. I think you need to see her before... well, just come, sis. Please.

Finding out about her mothers condition at this late stage irritated Kaely, but thats the way communicating with Marcie had been for years. After Kaelys dad was revealed as the notorious Raggedy Man, a serial killer who terrorized Des Moines, the relationship between Marcie and her children shattered. Although Marcie took care of their physical needs, she closed off emotionally. It seemed that every time she looked at Kaely and Jason, all she could see was the husband she hated.

After their lives completely imploded, her mother moved Kaely and her brother to Lincoln, Nebraska. They had no friends left in Des Moines, and it was clear the entire city wanted them gone, hoping that if the monsters family left, the stench of evil might fade away too.

Several years after Kaely and Jason moved out, their mother married again and relocated to Grand Island. It seemed life had given her a second chance. Then, about six months ago, her second marriage fell apart. Marcie promptly packed up and moved to Darkwater. Kaely had no idea why, but she suspected her mother wanted a place where she could disappear. Darkwater sounded like the perfect place to achieve that goal.

Although Kaely called Marcie occasionally, the length of time between calls had begun to stretch out further and further. Complicating the situation was Marcies revulsion toward Kaelys work with the FBI, where she sought to put away people just like her father. Kaely couldnt really blame her mother for how she felt. She had observed a psychopathic serial killer firsthand. That was enough for any human being in one lifetime.

Kaely had taken two weeks off workpacked on Saturday, left on Sunday, and was arriving on Monday. She still wasnt sure just what she could do for her mother. Just let her know you care about her, Jason had said. Mom has a lot of regrets. If she doesnt get better... I mean, are you happy with the way things are now?

Of course she wasnt. She knew she had to try to fix things with her mother. Give God a chance to heal their broken relationship.

She was looking forward to seeing Jason again. He owned a successful vintage auto body shop in Colorado. Hed left it in the hands of his staff and traveled to Darkwater to care for their mother. Hed even put off his upcoming wedding. Hed given up everything to be at his mothers side during her illness. There was no way Kaely could turn down his request. So now, here she was, driving through Nebraska, trying to find Darkwater.

Dont let her manipulate you. Shell try, you know.

Kaely sighed at Georgies admonishment. Maybe shes changed. She glanced over at her friend, whose direct stare made Kaely uncomfortable.

If shed changed, she would have called you herself to let you know she was sick. Not have Jason do it.

Look, Im going in there with a good attitude. My expectations are... low. But God can fix what people arent able to. I cant shut the door entirely, can I? She arched her eyebrow at Georgie, who smiled, her brown curls bouncing as she shook her head.

You want me to tell you to have hope. Georgie sighed. Just be careful. I dont want to see you hurt.

Kaely laughed lightly. You mean I dont want to see myself get hurt.

Well, I am you, right?

You keep showing up out of the blue. Youre not supposed to come unless I call you.

And yet Im here.

And yet youre here... Kaely repeated slowly.

The real Georgie had been her best friend in junior high. When her dad was arrested, Georgies parents refused to let the girls get together. Losing that friendship had been devastating. This version of Georgie was someone Kaely created a few years ago when she needed someone to talk to about feelings she couldnt share with anyone else. Now Georgie was a debate device, a way to balance her emotions against her common sense. Maybe shed become a crutch, but Kaely needed her.