Kimberly Derting - Desires of the Dead (Body Finder)

Kimberly Derting lives in the Pacific Northwest, where the gloomy weather is ideal for writing anything dark or creepy, leading to her debut novel, THE BODY FINDER , and its follow-up, DESIRES OF THE DEAD . She lives with her husband and their three beautiful (and often mouthy) children, who serve as an endless source of inspiration. You can visit her online at www.kimberlyderting.com.

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First, I have to thank my ever-patient agent, Laura Rennert, for always being in my corner, cheering me on every step of the way... thank you!

To my editors at HarperCollins, Farrin Jacobs and Kari Sutherland, thank you for your support, guidance, and unfailing good humor... youve made Desires of the Dead something we can all be proud of!

Thank you also to my fabulous marketing, publicity, and design team at HarperCollins, which includes my super - publicist Melissa Brunowho works tirelessly to put my books in the hands of, well, pretty much everyoneand Sasha Illingworththe incredibly talented designer who has created not one but two amazing covers for my books. I cannot thank you all enough!!!

To everyone at the Debs and the Tenners, for always having my back! To Jacqueline and Tamara, I couldnt have survived the launch of The Body Finder without the two of you! To Shelli Wells, for being as good a friend in real life as you are online. A special thanks to all The Body Finder Street Teamers who went out of their way to spread the word. And to Reggie, try to keep this one away from the bathtub!

I also want to thank my dad, Gerry, from whom I learned the gift of gab (among other things), an important trait for any writer... thank you. And my brother, Scot, who taught me that an annoying little brother can grow up to be a best friend.

And again, to my mom, Josh, Abby, Connor, and Amanda... because youre always there, loving me as much as I love you!

THE BODY FINDER

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January, Five Weeks Earlier

Chelsea leaned down to Violet like she had a secret to tell, something she didnt want anyone else to hear. Check out the new eye candy! Chelsea shouted, making Violet jump.

Violet was pretty sure that everyone in the cafeteria had just heard her friend. As usual, Chelseas internal filter seemed to be turned off.

Come to think of it, Violet couldnt remember Chelsea ever screening her words.

The boy Chelsea was referring to happened to be walking right past them and, like everyone else, hed heard her toohe would have had to be deaf not to hearand he looked up in time to catch Violet glancing his way. Chelsea turned back to Jules and Claire, and pretended to laugh at something funny theyd said, giving the impression that it had been Violet whod made the outrageous comment.

He smiled sheepishly at Violet and kept on walking. Violet felt her cheeks burning, and she was grateful that he at least had the good sense to look embarrassed by all the attention he was drawing. As humiliated as Violet was, she also felt a little sorry for him. It must suck to be the new kid in school. Even a really good-looking new kid.

As she watched, a girl joined him. Violet might have guessed from the resemblancethe similarity in coloring between the two of themthat they were related, except she didnt have to guess; Violet already knew that the girl was his younger sister.

They had a new student every now and then at White River High School, but in a town as small as Buckley, Washington, the fact that there were two new students on the very same day was cause for major gossip. Even if they were brother and sister.

Violet watched the pair until they found a table at the far end of the cafeteria, away from the activity and the busier tables at the center of the large, noisy space, and then she turned to Chelsea.

Thanks a lot, Chels. Im sure that wasnt at all awkward for him. Violet glanced down and examined the contents of her plastic tray. The pizza looked greasy and runny, and the applesauce had a faintly grayish hue to it. The food made her lose her appetite altogether.

Chelsea grinned back at her. No problem, Vi. You know me: Im a giver. I just wanted to make him feel welcome. She shoved a spoonful of the grim-looking applesauce into her mouth, smiling around the flimsy plastic utensil. She gazed over Violets shoulder to where the two new students sat by themselves. If he didnt want people talking about him, he probably shouldnt look so tasty. She was still gawking at them when her face wrinkled up and she pulled the spoon from her mouth. Whats your boyfriend doing over there?

Violet twisted in her seat so she could see what Chelsea was talking about just as Jay joined the two new kids at their table. He sat beside the girl, but he was already talking to her brother like they were old friends. And then he turned and pointed in Violets direction right at her, in fact and smiled when he saw that she was watching him. He waved at the same time the new guy looked up to see her studying them.

It was the second time shed been caught staring at the new kid.

Violet tried to smile, but it didnt actually reach her mouth. She thought about pretending she hadnt seen them but realized it was too late, so before turning around she gave a halfhearted wave. She hoped the new boy wasnt telling Jay that shed just called him eye candy... especially since she hadnt. Jay had been her best friend long before he was ever her boyfriend, so she hoped he would know she wasnt the one whod said it.

Oh, look, Claire announced, typically unaware of anyone elses discomfort. I think Jays inviting them over here.

Of course he was. Why wouldnt he be?

Great, Violet muttered under her breath. She didnt bother turning around this time; instead she just glared at Chelsea.

Chelsea feigned innocence. What? You dont want New Boy to come sit with us? Claire and Jules dont mind, do you?

Jules was too busy eating to get involved in their conversation. The lanky tomboy looked like a prison inmate as she leaned over her tray, one arm wrapped protectively around it, shoveling the less-than-edible-looking food into her mouth.

Claire shook her head. Of course not.

Chelsea continued, You are one lucky girl, Violet. That boyfriend of yours has a heart of gold. Hes just trying to make the new guy feel at home. And then she added, Yet, when I do it, you get all bent and give me dirty looks. You should try being a little more like Jay and me. Try opening up your heart... just a little.

Oh wait. Never mind, Claire announced, ignoring Chelsea. The new kids are staying where they are. But here comes Jay.

Violet shot a warning look at Chelsea as Jay sat down beside her. He slipped his hand beneath the back of her shirt, tracing his thumb across the small of her back. It was so familiar, his touch, yet disarming at the same time. Violet leaned into him and he kissed her forehead. His lips were soft but left her skin tingling. She could hardly believe that her stomach still did somersaults whenever he was near.