Contents
Author's Note
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Epilogue
Bible Verses Quotes by Carol Ray Ballard
Discussion Questions
Praise for Novels by Brandilyn Collins
Gone to Ground
“Moves along briskly. The popular novelist’s talent continues to flower . . . and sales will flourish.”
—Publishers Weekly
“High octane. Roller coaster suspense with memorable characters and intriguing plot twists.”
—CBA Retailers + Resources
“Collins does it again with her trademark suspense that will keep readers up late into the night.”
—RT BookReviews
—Examiner.com
Double Blind
“Collins keeps coming up with fascinating, unique plots. . . . Fantastic twists will keep readers guessing until the very end.”
—RT BookReviews
“Another suspenseful winner.”
—CBA Retailers + Resources
“A psychological thriller with abnormal twists and turns. Be prepared for intrigue and the unexpected!”
—TitleTrakk
Over the Edge
“Tense and dramatic . . . a dense and compact narrative that holds its tension while following the protagonist in a withering battle.”
—New York Journal of Books
“A taut, heartbreaking thriller . . . Collins is a fine writer who knows how to both horrify readers and keep them turning pages.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A frightening and all-too-real scenario . . . very timely and meaningful book.”
—RT Book Reviews
Deceit
“. . . good storytelling and notable mystery . . . an enticing read [that poses] tough questions about truth and lies, power and control, faith and forgiveness.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Solidly constructed . . . a strong and immediately likable protagonist. One of the Top Ten Inspirational Novels of 2010.”
—Booklist
“Filled with excitement and intrigue, Collins’ latest will keep the reader quickly turning pages . . . This tightly plotted mystery, filled with quirky characters, will appeal to suspense lovers everywhere.”
—RT Book Reviews
“. . . pulse-accelerating, winding, twisting storyline [that will] keep your attention riveted to the action until the very end.”
—Christian Retailing
Exposure
“. . . a hefty dose of action and suspense with a superb conclusion.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Brandilyn Collins, the queen of Seatbelt Suspense®, certainly lives up to her well-deserved reputation. Exposure has more twists and turns than a Coney Island roller coaster . . . Intertwining storylines collide in this action-packed drama of suspense and intrigue. Highly recommended.”
—CBA Retailers + Resources
“Captivating . . . the alternating plot lines and compelling characters in Exposure will capture the reader’s attention, but the twist of events at the end is most rewarding.”
—Christian Retailing
“Mesmerizing mystery . . . a fast-paced, twisting tale of desperate choices.”
—TitleTrakk.com
“[Collins is] a master of her craft . . . intensity, tension, high-caliber suspense, and engaging mystery.”
—The Christian Manifesto
Dark Pursuit
“Lean style and absorbing plot . . . Brandilyn Collins is a master of suspense.”
—CBA Retailers + Resources
“Intense . . . engaging . . . whiplash-inducing plot twists . . . the concepts of forgiveness, restoration, selflessness, and sacrifice made this book not only enjoyable, but a worthwhile read.”
—Thrill Writer
“Moves from fast to fierce.”
—TitleTrakk.com
“Thrilling . . . characters practically leap off the page with their quirks and inclinations.”
—Tennessee Christian Reader
Amber Morn
“. . . a harrowing hostage drama . . . essential reading.”
—Library Journal
“The queen of seatbelt suspense delivers as promised. Her short sentences and strong word choices create a ‘here and now’ reading experience like no other.”
—TitleTrakk.com
“Heart-pounding . . . the satisfying and meaningful ending comes as a relief after the breakneck pace of the story.”
—RT Book Reviews
“High octane suspense . . . a powerful ensemble performance.”
—BookshelfReview.com
Crimson Eve
“One of the Best Books of 2007 . . . Top Christian suspense of the year.”
—Library Journal, starred review
“The excitement starts on page one and doesn’t stop until the shocking end . . . [Crimson Eve] is fast-paced and thrilling.”
—RT Book Reviews
“The action starts with a bang . . . and the pace doesn’t let up until this fabulous racehorse of a story crosses the finish line.”
—Christian Retailing
“An unparalleled cat and mouse game wrought with mystery and surprise.”
—TitleTrakk.com
Coral Moon
“A chilling mystery. Not one to be read alone at night.”
—RT BOOKclub
“Thrilling . . . one of those rare books you hurry through, almost breathlessly, to find out what happens.”
—Spokane Living
“. . . a fascinating tale laced with supernatural chills and gut-wrenching suspense.
—Christian Library Journal
Violet Dawn
“. . . fast-paced . . . interesting details of police procedure and crime scene investigation . . . beautifully developed [characters] . . .”
—Publishers Weekly
“A sympathetic heroine . . . effective flashbacks . . . Collins knows how to weave faith into a rich tale.”
—Library Journal
“Collins expertly melds flashbacks with present-day events to provide a smooth yet deliciously intense flow . . . quirky townsfolk will help drive the next books in the series.”
—RT BOOKclub
“Skillfully written . . . Imaginative style and exquisite suspense.”
—1340mag.com
Web of Lies
“A master storyteller . . . Collins deftly finesses the accelerator on this knuckle-chomping ride.”
—RT BOOKclub
“fast-paced . . . mentally challenging and genuinely entertaining.”
—Christian Book Previews
Dead of Night
“Collins’ polished plotting sparkles . . . unique word twists on the psychotic serial killer mentality. Lock your doors, pull your shades—and read this book at noon.”
—RT BOOKclub, Top Pick
“. . . this one is up there in the stratosphere . . . Collins has it in her to give an author like Patricia Cornwell a run for her money.”
—Faithfulreader.com
“. . . spine-tingling, hair-raising, edge-of-the-seat suspense.”
—Wordsmith Review
“A page-turner I couldn’t put down, except to check the locks on my doors.”
—Authors Choice Reviews
Stain of Guilt
“Collins keeps the reader gasping and guessing . . . artistic prose paints vivid pictures . . . High marks for original plotting and superb pacing.”
—RT BOOKClub
“. . . a sinister, tense story with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.”
—Wordsmith Shoppe
Brink of Death
“. . . an abundance of real-life faith as well as real-life fear, betrayal and evil. This one kept me gripped from beginning to end.”
—Contemporary Christian Music
“Collins’ deft hand for suspense brings on the shivers.”
—RT BOOKclub
“Gripping . . . thrills from page one.”
—christianbookpreviews.com
Dread Champion
“Compelling . . . plenty of intrigue and false trails.”
—Publisher’s Weekly
“Finely-crafted . . . vivid . . . another masterpiece that keeps the reader utterly engrossed.”
—RT BOOKclub
“. . . riveting mystery and courtroom drama.”
—Library Journal
Eyes of Elisha
“Chilling . . . a confusing, twisting trail that keeps pages turning.”
—Publisher’s Weekly
“A thriller that keeps the reader guessing until the end.”
—Library Journal
“Unique and intriguing . . . filled with more turns than a winding mountain highway.”
—RT BOOKclub
“One of the top ten Christian novels of 2001.”
—christianbook.com
Dark Justice, Digital Edition
Based on Print Edition
Copyright © 2013 by Brandilyn Collins
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America
978-1-4336-7953-7
Published by B&H Publishing Group
Nashville, Tennessee
Dewey Decimal Classification: F
Subject Heading: ADVENTURE FICTION MYSTERY FICTION
Author represented by the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc., 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80920, www.alivecommunications.com.
Other Novels by Brandilyn Collins
Stand-Alone Contemporary
That Dog Won’t Hunt
Stand-Alone Suspense
Double Blind
Gone to Ground
Over the Edge
Deceit
Exposure
Dark Pursuit
Rayne Tour YA Series
(co-written with Amberly Collins)
Always Watching
Last Breath
Final Touch
Kanner Lake Series
Violet Dawn
Coral Moon
Crimson Eve
Amber Morn
Hidden Faces Series
Brink of Death
Stain of Guilt
Dead of Night
Web of Lies
Chelsea Adams Series
Eyes of Elisha
Dread Champion
Bradleyville Series
Cast a Road Before Me
Color the Sidewalk for Me
Capture the Wind for Me
Author’s Note
While this story is fictional, it is based on the terrifying reality that terrorists could target America’s electrical grid. In 2011, the consulting firm Pike Research issued a report stating that security for the electrical grid was in “near chaos,” giving attackers the “upper hand” since many attacks could not be prevented. The problem centered on aging infrastructures with no built-in security. And the security that was present could be bypassed by a “$60 piece of software.”
The shutdown of just one local grid could cause a “cascade effect,” said Pike, causing an entire region to lose power.
I first learned this information when I saw a CNN report of an experiment conducted in 2007 by the U.S. Department of Energy. In the experiment, a replica of a power-plant control system was hacked and damaged by remote. The generator shook and released steam, and soon went out of control. The entire video lasts about a minute.
In 2010, a unique and sophisticated computer worm spread through Iran, India, and Indonesia. Named Stuxnet, the worm looked for very specific settings, then injected its own code into that system. After a few years of studying this worm, security researcher Ralph Langner concluded he was 100 percent certain Stuxnet was specifically targeted to wreak havoc in Iran’s uranium-enrichment facility in Natanz. “This stuff is so bizarre,” Langner told a reporter in an e-mail, “that I have to make up my mind how to explain this to the public.” Later Langner said that now Stuxnet was “history,” the current problem was “the next generation of malware that will follow.”
That was more than enough to set my imagination running.
This novel is set in real towns, naming real law enforcement agencies. But all the characters are fictional. None is intended to even remotely represent anyone in real life. What’s more, wielding the power I have as a novelist, I may have tweaked some of the policies and procedures within these agencies to allow my story to flow more smoothly. At some point, it becomes necessary to jump from the cliff of reality into the chasm of fiction.
But I will look to the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me.
Do not rejoice over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will stand up;
though I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be my light.
(Micah 7:7–8 hcsb)
Chapter 1
Sunday, February 24, 2013
“When I was in fifth grade, three kids in my class swore up and down they saw a woman with a baby fly by the window.”
This statement, out of the blue, from my eighty-two-year-old mother.
I glanced at her. She was looking out her car window, veined hands folded in her lap. Her ever-present Annie-Hall-style purple hat sat at a rakish angle on her white head. As usual, she wore no makeup, but her cheeks still tinged a faint peach. That coloring was a source of pride for my mother, as was her perfect eyesight.
“Interesting. Why do you suppose the kids said that?”
“Because it happened, of course.”
“People don’t fly, Mom.”
“Well, they did that day.”
Here we go.
“Maybe the woman just walked by, and the kids thought she was flying.”
“Our classroom was on the second floor.”
Mom had me there. “Maybe they made it up.”
“Absolutely not! One of them was my good friend, Julie. She was straight as an arrow. Never lied about anything.” Mom’s voice carried that decisive ring that signaled she’d dug in her heels. Happened more and more often these days. Many times I just let it go. But when her words defied logic, something within me wanted to fight the dementia that had begun to nibble at her mind. My mother had always been so independent. If elderly women were supposed to wear red hats, Carol Ray Ballard’s would be purple. If they attended classical concerts, she’d go to a nightclub and dance to every song—by herself.
Of all people, my mother should be able to beat this.
“Okay, maybe they were just mistaken.” I kept my tone light. “Maybe a big bird flew by, and somehow the kids convinced themselves they’d seen flying people.”
Mom sniffed. “Birds so often look like a woman with a baby.”
My heart twinged. Now she’d descended into just plain stubbornness. Why did I insist on pushing her? It was pointless. This life-stealing illness was so powerful. Yet I kept acting as though I could beat it back. I couldn’t. It just came on and on, a slow-rising tide. I was a fixer, but I couldn’t fix this.
I should take cues from my twenty-seven-year-old daughter, Emily. She handled her grandmother far better than I did. Emily was known for speaking her mind and not taking flak from anyone. Yet she was so patient with her “Grand.” So willing to just let the woman be.
“Honestly.” My mother folded her arms and huffed. “Sometimes you act like I’m just stupid.”
“Mom, no! I’ve never thought you’re stupid. Not for a second.”
I negotiated a curve on Tunitas Creek Road, off Highway 1, a little south of Half Moon Bay, California. We’d set out from our weekend at the Ritz Carlton on the ocean to return to our home in San Carlos. Instead of taking the more popular Highway 92 over the hills, I’d taken a detour, choosing to follow the little-used Tunitas up to Skyline, then hook up to 92.
An off-the-cuff decision that would change our lives.
It was a beautiful drive on this afternoon in late February. The weather was unseasonably warm and dry, the month known for bringing rain to the Bay Area. Mom and I wore coats, but they were much lighter than usual. We’d both dressed in casual clothes for our trip home, I in jeans and a blue sweatshirt, Mom in her pull-on knit pants and a long-sleeved blouse. Our weekend had done Mom a world of good, or so I’d thought. She’d had fewer episodes of disjointed conversation or misplacing an item. I’d hoped that could last. Maybe I just needed to get her out more. Maybe . . . something.