Jingle Bells!

Because you've all been naughty and nice this year, you get a sneak peak at the prologue for Heaven is Weeping!

It's the unedited version, since I haven't done my final read through yet, so forgive any errors!

xoxoxoox


Morgan

 © Copyright 2015 by Morgan Kelley LLC All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or in an information storage            or retrieval system without written consent from the author. All characters are fictional and any similarity to real life or individuals is coincidental.

© Copyright 2015 cover and cover art by Laura Gordon

Curtis...What the hell have we done?

             ~Prologue~ 

 

It was like shopping online for the perfect gift to give yourself. Who would have known that the simple act of cyber dating would make his life that much easier? There was no more stalking a woman in the real world, trying to find out her every move, following her around in secrecy, or laying low to remain hidden. With the implementation of the internet and social media, life had become that much easier.

Finally, everything that he ever longed for was at his fingertips. It was all there for the taking.

All he had to do was go to that one specific website, put in his requirements for the perfect woman, and presto!

There she was.

It was all too miraculous.

Easy.

Fun.

Deliciously wicked.

Technology and cyber dating had become his new best friends. Without them, he’d be miserable but with the new found ease, he was soaring.

When he had stumbled across that website, which listed all the beautiful women and their fetishes, he couldn’t believe his good fortune. At first, it astounded him that the world was a far bigger place than he assumed. It was huge and filled with all kinds of beautiful, kinky people.

He wasn’t alone.

His world opened up.

The idea that some females liked to play dress up, like him, was invigorating. They had the same likes and dislikes as he did, and they also needed that little extra to get off.

He was planning on taking it as a sign from above.

So, with this new found gift, he was going to use this site to make all of his sordid dreams come true. Before him was a sexy buffet of sin and debauchery, and he had the virtual keys to the kingdom.

Hallelujah!

It was a miracle!

As he picked the next woman who caught his eye, he carefully studied her information. Everything about her had to be just right, or he wouldn’t be able to get off. For years, he had weeded his way through a bevy of beauties, and while he’d tried with blondes and redheads, the brunette was a thing of beauty.

Everything about them reminded him of his past.

They turned him on.

From that day, it had to be a woman with sexy brown tresses.

Not bleached out.

Not dyed an unnatural color red.

No, it was the simplistically beautiful brown that did it for him.

He was a simple man, and when it came down to it, he wanted a woman who would fulfill the needs which were constantly building in him. While at one time he’d been able to go weeks, denying this twisted compulsion, now he couldn’t. It was getting harder and harder not to become greedy and lust driven.

He wanted them so damn bad that he could practically taste it. The sweet nectar of desire was forever forged on his taste buds, calling to him no matter where he went, or the time of day.

He was addicted to them.

It was his obsession.

Staring at the screen, he chose the one who he thought would be perfect for him--from her height, to the specific length of the gorgeous brown tresses. Then, like had become his ritual, he logged out of his personal profile and went to the bogus one he’d created on his tablet. Once his password was entered, all the familiar faces filled the screen, and he took a moment to relish each and every one of their sexy encounters.

One had liked to play doctor.

The other had enjoyed being a woman of the night.

The final date had wanted a holy encounter that she would never forget.

They accepted his gift of the ultimate fantasy, and in return, he did the same.

Until the final one.

She was different.

Each and every dalliance was amazing, but his final ‘date’ had touched a chord deep within him.

 During their sexy little dress-up, she muttered those fateful words, and oddly, he became enraged.

Never before had he felt that way. Normally, he was there for the moment of ecstasy, but this time so much more ebbed from him.

Her utterance angered and empowered him all at once.

Something about her calling him ‘Father’ had awakened something deep within him.

It showed him his calling.

Now, he was helpless to hide it again.

Pandora had let the evil out of the box, and honestly, he didn't want to stop. Maybe that made him sick, but there was no way he was going to let this go.

It felt too damn good.

He didn't want to stop, and there was no one who could make him. Where he hid the bodies, no one would find them. Plus, he was far superior with his computer skills.

He was unstoppable.

His newly formed mission in life was just taking off. He would focus on giving the lost the pleasure they so longingly searched for.

They would seek him out.

He was like the Messiah.

Sick giggles bubbled up, catching even him off guard. Yes, that was exactly what he was.

He was sin and salvation rolled into one.

Glancing down at his watch, he knew time was of the essence. He couldn’t wait to begin the entire process all over again. Reading his new prospective date’s profile, he checked out her stats.

She was the perfect height.

She wasn’t too tall or short.

Then there was her eye color. Momentarily, he pondered what turned him on, and if it really mattered. Ultimately, it didn't seem like a big deal. It wasn’t the color that drew him in, but the look of lust he found there.

Oh yeah, and the terror which would appear when he took their lives.

He laughed more, entertained at his own mental checklist. It was only the preliminary items. It was obvious what mattered most to him.

Her beautiful hair.

With this woman, her tresses were shorn to her shoulders and the perfect shade of brown. It brought back so many memories, and for a few seconds, he allowed himself to get lost in the fantasy.

Yes, he loved it.

Flipping through her sexy profile pictures, he found that she liked the same things that he did. Everything was there from her favorite food, to her religious preferences.

Perfect.

This was definitely the one.

In his heart, he already knew that they were about to embark on a beautiful journey as soul mates. She would be his, until he no longer had use for her. 

Getting out his pen and paper, he began scribbling out his first drafted message. Like her, it had to be perfect. Once they went on their date, he knew she would fulfill all his needs, both sexually and mentally.

But first, he had to lure her in.

The work was about to begin.

It was a fine line he was forced to traverse. It was one where he needed to pique her interest and make her want to find out more about the mystery man. There was no doubt that if he pushed too hard, it would scare her away.

Oh, he could see it in her eyes. She’d bolt like a terrified rabbit. Yeah, he didn't want that to happen. If she did, he’d lose the perfect catch and hours of work.

This woman was definitely the one and worthy of the effort.

She was smart.

Funny.

Idyllic.

After a few moments, when he was done composing his message, he cautiously typed it up. Reading it over and over, he wanted to make sure that, like her, it would be alluring.  

After a few minor tweaks, he typed it up and sent it on its merry way. Before long, he would get a response. She was already online for the day. It was only a matter of being patient.

Oh, there was no doubt she’d fall for it.

He knew his prey.

Then, it happened.

Hook. Line. Sinker.

 He calmly watched the little icon which showed whether she was interested or not. It took a few heart stopping minutes, but before long, it turned green.

Yes!

She wanted him just like he desired her.

This was going to be perfect!

It was a match made in heaven, so to speak…

All that was left now was to wait for her return message, and then he would set up their date. Unable to hold back the impending nerves, he moved back to his laptop and began perusing the site from his other account.

He’d learned one major thing in his hunt; there had to be a backup plan, just in case she fell through his fingers. The odds were in his favor, and he didn't believe she would, but one never knew.

It could happen.

Then he grinned.

They were the same thoughts that he had for the last three women, too, and look how that all ended.

Yeah, this was in the bag.

He could count on the next victim to come though. It was a matter of time as he made her fall for him.

A picture was worth a million words, and his spoke volumes. Once he piqued her interest, she was as good as his.

This was going to be perfect.

He knew it.

How could it not be?

                           *    *    *

Two Weeks Later

He was getting frustrated.

The elusive one he wanted was playing games. First, she wanted his picture. Then, she needed more information. When she wanted to meet in a public place, surrounded by people, he believed he was out of luck. Taking her was going to be difficult enough, but with each new request to ensure her safety, it was getting increasingly harder.

Well, shit!

How could he take her if there was going to be an audience? When she foiled his plan, refusing to give him her home address, he didn't know what to do.

This one was hard.

She was making him jump through hoops. While it should piss him off, causing him to abort his plan, it became more like a game to him.

Ultimately, he decided to work for it. She had challenged him, once more proving that she was the one, and he liked that.

Deep down, it called to him.

If she wanted a game, he would give her just that.

Going online, he worked his magic and created another profile for the popular social media site she frequented. Using the tidbits she’d handed him, he made himself look completely different but alluring to her.

Then he friended her.

And was forced to wait some more.

Within hours of his bogus profile, she fell for it, accepting his request. That’s when he knew the game was afoot. He now had access to her place of work and itinerary, despite her insistence of keeping them a well-guarded secret.

Oh, little did she know that she had let the hungry fox into the hen house. It would ultimately be her downfall.

Now he was privy to it all.

There were pictures of her vacation.

Plans made with her friends.

It was official. He now knew everything about her, and in the game they were playing, this would definitely work to his advantage.

He was back on track.

Logging back into his bogus dating profile, he gave her everything she demanded.

The security.

The refuge.

The perceived safety.

Before long, she’d see him as a really decent guy who just liked to get his kink on. Once she trusted him, the trap door would slam shut, and this sexy little doe would be all his. 

Oh, he would meet her for the date. It wasn’t like she was going to tell anyone about their secret rendezvous. It was obvious that he had her.

It would be about stalking her to the place where she was her weakest and then striking.

Tomorrow, he’d begin watching and closing down her escape routes. He had time, so he might as well use it to his advantage.

This woman was his.

She didn't have a chance.

He was going to use her, and then place his brunette with the others. Once he won this game, her death wouldn’t be so easy.

She’s made him work hard.

So, now she’d have to do the same.

In playing cat and mouse, she baited a feral feline who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

After all, she wasn’t exactly chaste and without sin.

In the end, she would find release, and he would reap the rewards.

                           *    *    *

Across Vegas

They sat in the office working out their plans.

Everything they desperately wanted was close to fruition, and it would only take a little more time. 

Emma Croft was so close to being caught in their web, they could almost hear her screams.

Between them, there was almost a feeling of remorse for her. She, after all, wasn’t the big fish. Her husband, Greyson Croft, was the real problem, but there was only one way to take him down.

Through the woman he loved.

Maybe if he wasn’t so lovey dovey or doting on his woman, they wouldn’t have to use her. Instead, they saw the kink in his armor and had given him plenty of opportunities to change his ways.

It was time.

They wanted Vegas to be theirs, and he was standing in their way.  

Already they had warned him once, and he continued to run Vegas like it was meant to be clean. It was obvious that he needed to lose what he loved most in order to learn a valuable lesson. This was ‘Sin City’ and there were certain…expectations.

He was clueless, and now his wife would be the route to take him down.

“Is everything ready?”

The second person grinned wickedly. “Yes, he’s found a way in to get her.”

For the last few weeks, they had worked tirelessly to find a way to pull it off. Now, after months of Croft running the city, they had their one way into his life.

“What’s the plan?”

There was this nervous anticipation. If one thing went wrong, they were beyond screwed.

They were fucked.

“Word is that Randall Mason is having Emma Croft over in the next few days to play the piano for him. He bought that hour weeks ago, and she’s about to pay up.”

The one with all the power leaned back in the desk chair, feeling all hope ebb away.

“You are well aware that our guy can’t get to her inside that fortress. No one can get in! We've tried to eliminate him a few times and failed.”

There was laughter from the other side of the desk. “Oh, we can get our guy in.”

Hope began to return. “How?”

There was a sly grin. “What’s coming up on the social calendar?”

There was confusion. “I don’t know. What am I missing?”

This plan was so well constructed that bragging about it was nothing but pure pleasure. “We both know that Randall Mason is going to be hosting his ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ party. He throws it every year at this time. With his new Vegas show coming out with the same title, it’s going to be even bigger. I believe he’s been touting it as the biggest party ever! If you’re not invited, you’re a nobody in Vegas.”

Well, shit!

This was looking damn good.

There was copious laughter bubbling up as hope returned in full force. “Oh, you’re an evil genius.

 That free-for-all is the perfect cover to set up our plan.”

“Yes, I know. In fact, to make sure we pull it off, I managed to get us invites. It wasn’t hard. The old man didn't see it coming since we’re powerful in Vegas.”

Yeah, just not powerful enough…

“This is genius! I’m proud of you. This is perfect.”

“We’ll get our hired help in that night, and he’ll set it all up. Then, when the time is right, he can reenter the house when she’s playing for him. We’ll kill two birds with one stone. Randall Mason will die, power will be passed off to us, I mean you, and Emma Croft’s murder will take Greyson Croft to his knees.”

“I love it. I really think you've earned your place at my side. When I own Vegas, you’ll be incredibly rich.”

That was the plan.

“Thank you. I didn't doubt that you would see the beauty in its simplicity. This is going to be like taking candy from a baby. With all the costumes and production for the party, no one is going to notice him.”

There was a sense of relief.

This might actually work, ending Croft’s reign of lawfulness in Vegas once and for all.

“If she suffers, I’ll toss in a few bonuses for you.”

The laughter came again. While the money was nice, there were other reasons to take the old man down. “If you can get rid of Randall Mason, I’ll have my revenge. He thinks I've forgotten the years of hell he’s put me through. Well, it’s not going to happen. When he falls, I’ll take the money and be glad to do it too.”

“You’re vicious.”

“In Vegas, you have to be.”

Wasn’t that the truth?

 I hope you enjoyed it!!!

It's out for presale! Reserve your copy today!

Much love, mayhem, and murder, 

Morgan. 

  

Unthinkable Games is available for pre-order

YAY!
The next Littlemoon book is available!

I have to say that this book got rave reviews from the team. They loved it just as much as I loved writing it!
It was fun!

You'll get to learn more about Beckett, and the woman who will heal or break him.

It's a fun read! (If I do say so myself!)

You can preorder it here.

As always... don't forget to leave a review  after you read it!


much love, mayhem, and murder,

Morgan.

Happy post turkey day!

Good morning all!

Some of you may still be on vacation until tomorrow, and some of you might be heading back to the grind. I'm one of the latter. I'm at my desk, bright and early (3 am) and working on cleaning up some loose ends.

This weekend, Unthinkable Games is going up for pre-sale. It's out the first week of February. I hope you enjoy it! It's a little spooky, a tad bit creepy, and a whole lot of Julian and Tori Littlemoon.

Right now, I'm working on the third vampyre book. It's out this spring, so I have to finish my little details and send it off to editing by next month. I like a break from all the FBI and crime solving once in a while, but after doing two vamp books back to back, I' miss Elizabeth. It's fun to live in her mind for a little while.

I hope you all had a really great Thanksgiving. In my house, we celebrate Morgan's Turkey Day bash. Being Native American, we don't really dig the Thanksgiving holiday. We had a turducken and two deep fried turkeys. Salmon, and some roast beef.

Each year, it takes about three weeks to prep for the holiday.
It's a massive undertaking. I'm always glad when it's over. Don't get me wrong--I love it. I just hate the prep for 25 people. It's chaos.

Now, it's time for Christmas.
I say bring it on. I'll be wrapping my heart out the next couple of Sundays. I hope the husband can keep the kids busy, and I hope the last few gifts (hubby's) all arrive this week. I want to finish up my holiday shopping and focus on the truly important things in life....

Love, murder, and mayhem....


xoxo

Morgan 

New book release!

Brrrrrr. Baby, it's cold outside!

Holy Northeastern cold snap! I can't believe that it's only November and I'm shaking to 22 degree temperatures! That just doesn't seem right!

What warms me up is this...

THERE'S A NEW BOOK PRE-ORDER!

Yay!
The next Croft book, Heaven is Weeping is out, and it's killer! Wait until you read it! Its an emotional rollercoaster, so don't forget to buckle in!!!

You can find it here.

A few of you had questions regarding pre-order. No, you don't get charge when you pre-order on amazon. You only pay for the book when it's delivered to your kindle.

As always, enjoy! And don't forget to leave a review on Amazon! I can't keep doing what i do without your reviews!

xoxo

Morgan 

Happy Halloween!

Hi all!
I know it's not Halloween yet, but i thought I would pop in and wish you all a great holiday.
I hope you have some plans to score up some yummy treats as you avoid any mean tricks!
We're going to hand out candy and watch movies late into the night. We like to stay in and pretend we're lumps!
Sad, but true.

I'm finishing up the detail add for the next FBI book, Dead Shall Speak. The new cover is posted in the tab above under FBI. I hope you all like it!
It was an awesome book to write, and is just under 600 pages. It's a long one!
I love a huge book. They make me happy!
Anyway, that's going off to the editing team next week, Heaven is Weeping is there being done, and I'll start adding details to the next Littlemoon book, Unthinkable Games. Once that's done, it's off to vampyre world for two months. I have two books to work on. I can't wait.
I miss Jolie, Jacques, and Flynn.

I was just informed yesterday that there is a vicious rumor rolling around that if we authors don't get people to like our AuthorCentral page on Amazon, they won't be promoting our books. (I'm not sure if this is fact or fiction) So, to cover my bases, because we Indie authors need Amazon to back us, can you all do me a favor?

Follow this link to my page.

http://www.amazon.com/Morgan-Kelley/e/B001KHAQ10/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

In the upper right corner is the FB like symbol. Can you like me?
I don't want to lose my promotion status with Amazon.

Ps. Don't forget to pre-order your copy of the next anthology! It's up on Amazon and will be released in less than two weeks! YAY!


Thank you!

Another new book!

Great news!!!!

Romance Under Arrest ~ Behind Closed Doors, the second book in the anthology, is up for pre-order.
YAY!

It's scheduled to release on Black Friday!
So, if you follow this link here out to Amazon, you can have it sent right to your Kindle before anyone else!

I hope you all enjoy it!
As always, it was fun to write.

There are some new character stories in it. You're going to meet Avalon Miller (AKA- Oracle) Nate Carter will be meeting the woman of his dreams. Literally. This mini story is the prequel to Sinner Reborn (out this summer). I'm giving you a sneak peak at their relationship. You'll also get more Luke and Maura, plus everyone's favorites--the Blackhawks.

Don't forget to leave a review! Help me keep them all alive!

Much love, mayhem, and murder,


Morgan. 

Morning all!

Happy Monday!

I hope you all had a great weekend! I spent mine toiling away at the new house working on some needed projects. (New garage door openers!)

Other than that, I'm happy to tell you that I have officially finished the next Litttlemoon book. Unspeakable Games is now done!
YAY!!!!!

It was a long 11 days, but i wrapped it on Saturday morning. Now, I have a million other projects to work on. I'm booked from now until New Year's Eve.
I'll be starting the final proof read on the next anthology: Romance Under Arrest.  Since the last Sinner book had so much success with the Pre-order option (and so many of you contacted me) I'm going to put this one up for pre-order too.

So, you'll have the chance to order it before its release., which is scheduled for Black Friday.

After I work on that, I'll be doing a read through of Heaven is Weeping, the next Croft book. That one is slotted for a January release, and as soon as I can get it up for pre-order, I will.

When i finish that, I have three more books to work on. There are the next two vampyre books that need a total rewrite, and the final anthology has to be written. It's scheduled for Valentine's Day.

I'm so busy, that I hope i have time to get in some trick or treating with the kids!

I hope you all enjoyed the next Sinner book; Sinner Realized. If you read it, can you pop on out to amazon and leave a review? I need so many in order to keep doing what i do. So ... (insert me begging) please?????????

Have a great day! I hope you all enjoy fall!


Much love, mayhem, and murder,


Morgan.

Happy Release day!!!!

Yay! It's live.

Sinner Realized is now here.
If you've preordered the book, it should be on your kindle as we speak! (mine is there now!)

If you haven't yet, you can pop on out to Amazon and get it now.

Here's the link.

If you need the paperback version, you can find it here.

I really hope you all enjoy Maura and Luke's story. I will tell you that they're not done yet. They're two of the characters who will be moving to the Oracle series. I can't wait to hear from you! So, after you finish, leave a review so i can keep offering you the books at Pre-order!
Next month I begin writing the last book of the sinner trilogy! It's going to be awesome!!!

Once more, enjoy the adventure!
Buckle up. It's going to be one hell of a ride!

Much love, mayhem, and murder,

Morgan.

Good morning!

Happy Friday, my friends!

I'm just popping in to say hi!
It's a busy week here for me. I just sent the next 'Behind Closed Doors' anthology off to Rachel for the first edit, and now I'm prepping to start the next Littlemoon book.
I love when i can sit down, curl up on the couch, and read. Before I start working on a new book for a series, I have to get into that frame of mind.
Each series has a different feel, and sometimes I have to pop from Elizabeth mode to Callie, or even Tori.

I' m looking forward to writing Unthinkable Games. In it, we're going to meet Claire Littlemoon and Beckett Rand. They'll be the next couple to pair up in the series. Then we're also going to meet someone from Tori's past, and it's going to rattle her to her core.

Everything that she thought she knew is going to be turned upside down.
Her life will have some shocking reverberations and she's going to need to traverse them.
We will also be seeing Christina and Kane, Justin and Vivian. They will be making return appearances in later books. Once we find out what Beckett's paranormal ability is, he and Claire will likely be the last couple.
We'll have Vivian having prophetic dreams.
Tori talking to ghosts.
And Beckett....

Sorry :) You'll have to wait and see what he can do. I gave you hints in Lost & Broken. So, if you can't remember, go back and read it again!!!!

After that, I'll be working on the next two vampyre books. They'll be coming out late spring, early summer. I can't wait to reread them. I haven't checked them out in over a year, so it'll be like reading a new book for me.
YAY! I love that!

I also have the next two FBI book covers being done. I'm sure they will be fabulous! I can't wait to see them. The exceptionally talented Rachel Zellers is doing them. She'd redesigned the entire FBI series for me. I can't wait to share them with you!

Everything is getting a makeover. From the Croft series to the FBI series, I'm working on revamping them all. I also hope to make the holiday FBI book a 'reunion' of sorts. BUT it's going to depend on how much time I have to write it. I'll go from there :)
I love a Christmas killer!
I can't wait to reveal him.

Also, there has been some rumors of me killing off a main character. It's definitely a possibility. There are lots of changes coming, and I can't wait to see how it all unfolds. I promise that it won't be Ethan, Elizabeth, or Callen.
That's all I can say.

Okay! So, off to read some Littlemoon and make plans.

I hope you have an awesome weekend!
Stay safe, and remember to get your pre-order in for the newest Sinner book! It's available to order on amazon right now!
Scroll down, and you'll see the links!

Much Love, Mayhem, and Murder,

Morgan.

Monday is here!

Good morning all!

It's dark and early here in my world. I don't know why I work best at two in the morning, but I do. I guess it's just one of those things.

On the book front, everything is going well. I'm moving through the next FBI book, Dead Shall Speak, and really enjoying it. This is part two of Tony and Jaxon's story. My only issue is that I don't think I can wrap their story in two books. I still have a few loose ends to tie up, like her father, a situation that happens during the body dig, etc.
SO.... that being said, they may have a third book at some point. I just need to figure out when it'll all tie in.
The next book after that is unnamed as of yet, but will deal with cults and college. (I think...) We're going to spend some time with Johanna Madden and Broderick Seaton. I can't wait to create their story. I happen to have some fun ideas for them. Since they're new agents and younger, they're going to be a little different than the normal couples.

I'm also giving you three FBI books next year. I get lots of emails asking for more Lyzee and I'm going to bump around the schedule, sneak in a third book, and go from there. So, next year will have:

3 FBI
2 Croft
2 Littlemoon
2 vamp
1 (the final) Carter chronicle
2 anthologies.
Oracle rolls out next January to take the place of the 'Sinner' trilogy.

That's about all I can get in for one year. 12 months, 12 books. It's going to be chaos, but i love making you all happy! So, keep reading.

The second anthology might be a little different. Instead of all sex, I might give you 4 short stories for the different characters. Maybe mini cases, maybe more elaborate sex, who knows...
I haven't thought about it too much yet. BUT I'll let you know!

Okay, it's 3 am. I have to get killing. Lyzee waits for no one! She's so bad ass!


Much love, mayhem, and murder,

Morgan.

PS. If you haven't gotten your pre-order copy of Sinner Realized, get it! You'll love it! I'm sure! It's one of my favorites! I love Maura and Luke!

Morning lovelies! Sinner Realized is here! Sort of...

It's another fine day here in Morganville.
It's brisk outside, I'm already up and working, and oh... Sinner Realized has been put on amazon for pre-sale.
I'm excited to be able to offer you the chance to buy my book early. This is new for me. I never thought, when I first started writing 10 years ago, that I'd be a good enough author to ever have this opportunity.
It thrills me.
(Get your copy here!)

I can't tell you how happy I am that this story is now free from my mind, and ready for yours. I have had a mental love affair with Lucas Mars since his conception in my wacked out brain. He's quiet, sturdy, funny, and perfect for Quinton Gaines's sister. She's bad ass to the core and a refined Marine who makes Elizabeth Blackhawk look tame.

Believe it or not!

Their story is just beginning. You'll see after Sinner Reborn ~ Book 3~ that the trio, Callie, Luke, and Nate, have another journey to take, Along the way, they'll be joined by their soul mates. Oh, and wait until you meet Oracle.
She's scary.
Coming up in the 10th FBI book, Dead Shall Speak, she even breaks Elizabeth Blackhawk down into tears.
Yeah, she's that freaky!

There is so much more coming, and I hope you stick around for the entire ride. I love that you email me, leave reviews and have friended me on FB. You're apart of this journey.

SO... get ready.
Get your copy.
And buckle in for Major Maura Gaines and a killer who is out for blood.

Much love, mayhem, and murder,

Morgan.

It's been a while...

Hi everyone!

I'm sorry I've been MIA, and not posting, but it's been a busy few weeks in my life. First, we bought a new house, and I had to pack the old one up and move it. I thought that would never end, but finally, it seems like the light is there at the end of the tunnel. Now, I just have to get the old one ready to be sold.
September is also the beginning of my work year, so, I take August off to wrap up everything that needs to be done, and believe me--there is so much to close up.

So, happy new year to you! (Okay, so I just made my own holiday. Sue me.)

As I roll back into the new year, I'll be posting regularly, and giving you hints, updates, and details about what is coming. So far, it's looking to be a hellish winter for me, but a good one for you. I have quite a few book projects on the horizon. Starting up with Sinner Realized (book 2). It's done, edited, and ready for my final approval. Once I do a read through, you'll be able to do something you've never done before...

PRE-ORDER!

Yes, that's right. Amazon is now allowing me to pre-sell my books. That means that when you order it, you're guaranteed not to miss it on the first day of it's release. You don't get charged until it comes out, but you get put on the auto send list to get it. You'll never miss another one of my books again! I often hear from you and your biggest complaint is you never know when my books are coming out. Well, this should help out. I can put them on pre-order up to 90 days in advance.
YAY!

Okay, so you'll be getting Sinner Realized in October, just in time for Halloween. It's my tradition to release a book on that day, so why not keep it going?

Next, you'll be getting book two in the Behind Closed Doors anthology. I was so pleased that you enjoyed it. I know it was a little risqué by being all sex, but it also gave you some back story. Well, the next one will be the same. Book two, Romance Under Arrest will have to deal with the men wooing the women, and in some cases, the women wooing them right back. I'll be digging through the cutting room floor, so to speak, to find you the hottest sex scenes that I didn't put in my books. I know I can't wait!!!
Anyway, you'll be getting that one around Christmas.

Then January rolls around. What's on the agenda? The Crofts. Oh, yeah! You're going to he given Heaven is Weeping (book 5) and it's a doozy! Holy crap! I'm adding details right now, and I've wept a few times. It has love, sadness, hurt, and of course, murder... I love this book, because it's going to be one of the stories that leads us to the possible end of the Croft series.
Yes, you read that right.
For a few months now, I've been toying with the idea of ending that series. Not for ever, no, but just to spin it off in a new direction. I love Greyson (he's modeled after my hubby--yes, I married a caveman) and he's here to stay, but lets face it... The FBI isn't going to keep him happy. Crime in Vegas is evolving, and so is he. So, while Emma and he both love their jobs, there is a potential shake up coming. You'll still have all the characters you love, but there storylines will be a little different.

Think: Vigilante justice. Thus the name of the first book, Dark Justice.

That's all I'm saying for now. Again, not sure how long until I can convert it over. It may be two more books, it may be ten. Honestly, they write themselves. I'm just the one pushing the keys. But, no matter what, I promise you the same sexy fun, murder, and mayhem.

Pinky swear!

Okay, so that's January. Now comes the month of love. In February, you're going to be getting the third anthology Holiday Reinforcements. It's going to be my love and holiday themed stories. Will they all be Valentine's Day? Maybe. I'm not sure. I still have to pull them all together and go from there.
I can't wait!

As for that, there is more news. Not only will you get an anthology in February, but you'll be getting the next Littlemoon book too. I'll be dropping them both in the same month. Unthinkable Games is coming your way, and it promises to be one hell of a ride! I'm about to write it next month, and I really can't wait. I love the Littlemoons. They make me happy!

Okay, so that's what? Two anthologies, and three books in five months? Yeah, i'm going to be very busy! But that's not all! (As I begin to sound like an infomercial...) I get a lot of emails. Most of them have one big gripe.

NOT ENOUGH BLACKHAWKS!

So, I'm going to try and give you three of their books next year. I've already begun writing Dead Shall Speak, and slotted it for the March release. If I can pull off three, you'll have another by June, and one to close up the year. I'm hoping one of those will be the mega novel, which brings all the characters back.

We'll see...

So, that's my new year!
I really hope you'll keep emailing me and telling me how I'm doing. I do reply to each and every one personally. You'll see that they return right from my phone. I don't let anyone answer your emails but me, because I love you all so much!!!

Keep reviewing! I can't keep doing my job unless you do yours. Leave a review! It doesn't have to be a page long. Just leave one so that the world, and the Amazon Gods will know you love me. Then I can keep writing! Without your reviews, I can't keep the books coming. I need you to man up and make Lyzee proud!

Much Love, Mayhem, and Murder,


MORGAN







 

Redemption is Here has arrived!

As always, you get to know first.
So, if you follow this link, you'll be the first to download the newest FBI book, Redemption is Here.
I love how you all rallied to leave reviews, even those who don't always do it. Thank you. Without your reviews, I can't do what I do.

Enjoy the next book!
I'm still writing the next one, Dead Shall Speak,  so read slow! :)

Don't forget to tell me what you think!!!!!


As always,
xoxoxooxox

Much love, mayhem, and murder,

Morgan.

Prologue for Redemption is Here

Since you're almost at 12 reviews for the Illegal Fantasies book, I thought I'd toss you a bone. (read that as tease.)
LOL


Here you go....

 © Copyright 2015 by Morgan Kelley LLC All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or in an information storage            or retrieval system without written consent from the author. All characters are fictional and any similarity to real life or individuals is coincidental.

~Prologue~ 

 

 

Killing definitely wasn’t for the faint at heart.

It takes a special kind of person to take another’s life. The entire process is a bloody mess and often makes you wonder about your sanity. It makes you question everything you’ve ever learned in life.

Is it right?

Could it be wrong?

Then, when it comes down to it, there can ultimately be only one judge. In the end, God Almighty is the only one who has the final answer for those questions. Even for him, life was all about balancing right and wrong.

Good and evil.

Sinner and saint.

That’s why God picked him.

Gazing down from the heavens, the Lord must have known that he was the perfect person to do this type of job.

Why?

He was chosen because he was a dutiful follower who didn't question God’s word. There were people in life who thought first, and then there were those who jumped right into action.

He was the latter.

Yet, taking a life shouldn’t be done easily. It needed to be balanced in careful consideration and judgment. Without that, it would be a bloody mess.

After all, who decided which men and women were destined to die?

When the time came and their number was up, someone had to make the final decision.

Who was strong enough to do it?

He was.

There would be no choice, because he was doing the Lord’s work. When one pictured the great power above, wielding the sword of justice alone to balance the scales, it was nothing more than fallacy.

To believe that God saw and handled everything on his own was ridiculous. He may continually have a watchful eye on everyone, but deliverance of justice could be slow. After all, the Lord was a very busy deity.

So, he had enlisted a little help.

There was nothing wrong with picking one of your creations to do the dirty work. Everyone needs a little assistance now and again, or someone to make spur of the moment calls on the fly.

Well, he was it.

He would watch, pray, and then make the final decision. God understood, because he was overburdened. Let’s face it; mankind is a vile, hideous lot who doesn’t give a rat’s ass about their fellow humans.

Now, he was helping God keep the sinners from corrupting the saints.

It was his calling.

From his childhood, he knew he was destined to handle it. He always wanted to be special, and what better way than to hold the life of another in his hand?

This was the ultimate gift from his Lord. It was something only given out to a few special angels, who he picked to do his bidding.

            It was his job to do what he knew to be right.

With the slightest inclination, life was stolen or preserved. It was as close to being holy and God-like as he would ever get. Don’t get him wrong, he knew that he wasn’t even close to being worthy of worship, but with this offered power, he was a marked man.

He was holy.

As long as he remembered who the boss was, he would be fine. To think otherwise would be blasphemous. Instead, he liked to think of himself as the Grim Reaper of sorts. It was his job to listen to God and make his move.

It took planning.

It took patience.

It took cunning.

That’s why he was the chosen one.

The Lord has his plans, and he was destined to be his right hand. Forget Jesus. He was going to be the sword that smote the sinner and saved the saint.

It was his duty in life.

As a child, his mother always told him to remain holy. There were hours spent at church, long periods of bible study, and so much time spent molding him into the precious vessel of the Lord.

It wasn’t wasted.

She always expected holiness from her family. They needed to be above the law of God, living and sinning as little as possible. In her home, you either were on the Lord’s side or you were asking for his wrath.

The choice was easy.

Wouldn’t she be so proud to know that he’d finally reached this pinnacle? Where she never believed he could do it, God had other plans.

He was on top of the world.

Now, nothing could stop him from making his mark on the people he was sent to judge. With this new found power, he was above reproach. Anyone who saw him doing his work would know the truth.

He was meant to be the Angel of Death.

It sent shivers through his body at the mere thought of the title. Where some people lived their lives in a bubble, he didn't. As a follower of God, he was firmly rooted in his faith.

Nothing escaped him. He saw it all, and it was his job to keep track of it. Maybe it was a good thing that he blended in so easily. He could watch, learn, and handle any situation that arose.

For example?

Well, just look at the woman on his prep table.

He was currently cutting into her chest, trying to remove her heart. It wasn’t easy. Who knew the breast bone was so damn thick? After hacking at it for a while, he finally gave up. Instead, with a simple pair of garden tools, he snapped open the ribs, giving himself some space. Now, he had direct access to what he needed.

Her heart.

 Oh, she was going to be losing it to him shortly.

After her flagrant actions, there had been no choice.

For weeks, he’d watched her, as she headed in and out of church and town. On the outside, this woman looked pure, but she wasn’t. She’d have her open dalliance with whoever she wanted, only to think she was above getting caught.

Well, she was definitely seen.

He didn't miss any of it.

Oh, and God wasn’t happy.

So, his Angel of Death was called out to do the job. Now, she was dead and ready for the final part of the task.

Her burial.

What kind of hand of God would he be if he killed them and didn't take care of getting rid of the bodies?

A piss poor one, that’s for sure!

This was part of the process for him. He’d take, judge, and then lay them to rest. So, here she was with her chest open and the special jar waiting for her heart. He wanted to leave a message for those who found her years from now. It would be his little clue as to why her life was forfeited.

Yes, he had a flair for drama, but God didn't mind. It was all part of the Lord’s master plan for his creations.

The Angel of Death couldn’t leave a note, because it would disintegrate with time. Yet, a canopic jar would endure! Granted, he stole that little tidbit from the Egyptians, but why mess with something that worked?

Reaching into her chest, there was the sucking sound of flesh and blood as his hand invaded her body. When he felt the squishy sack, he reached in with the knife to cut it free. Once out of the cavity, he stared at it in his palm.

He was in awe of the Lord’s creation.

This one organ helped keep us alive and was said to be the part of our bodies that held love.

It was just one more of his miracles.

Then, he found it all funny. God knew that this woman ‘loved’ a lot of men.

Now, her once beating heart was cold and dead in his hand. It was ironic on so many levels. More laughter filled him. Here was a woman, who bedded so many men, and now she was reduced to a cold, dead corpse.

He shook his head sadly.

None of this would have happened if she had just been better in life. While going to church, she should have paid a little more attention to the sermons on wrath and judgment.

Now that she was being judged, maybe God would take mercy on her, showing her the way.

After all, the Lord was all about forgiveness.

Staring down at her, he saw how that probably wouldn’t happen. Truth be told, some people weren’t worthy of salvation.

Hadn’t he learned that over the years?

Picking up the jar, he stuffed the organ inside before sealing it shut. Staring at the cavity, he brutally shoved the vessel into her chest.

In the afterlife, she would need her heart.

Yeah, maybe she could use it to bribe her way into Satan’s favor. Since she was so accustomed to using her womanly wiles to get what she wanted, Satan just might give her what she deserved.

A long, fire filled eternity.

More laughter came as he prepared the strips. The scent filled his nostrils, giving him peace. It was so familiar and calming that he almost wanted to bathe in it himself. As the aroma filled his senses, he began soaking the strips in the sacred oil. When they were ready, he would wrap her body for burial.

He already had the place picked out.

It was the perfect location.

No one would look there, and if for some reason they did, he wouldn’t be blamed. After all, there would be too many suspects. Then, he could continue his work.

Correction- he would continue God’s work.

One must not forget who was running this show.

Once she was in the ground, the final chapter in her story would be written. God could then forgive her, because she died for her sins. There was still a chance that when she met him in the afterlife, he would let her into heaven.

It would all come down to her repenting.

If that happened, then he’d done his job.

The evil and impure needed to be saved, and he wouldn’t stop until he took care of it.

He couldn’t.

This calling consumed all of him. If he tried to stop, he’d be miserable. For now, he must carry on and save as many sinners as possible.

Then, he’d get his reward when he too was buried.

All his deeds in life would ensure his heavenly retreat in the afterlife.

He was sure of it.

Returning his focus to the woman, he dumped some of the fragrant herbs and liquid into her chest before he began coating her body with them. Next, he would wrap and transport her.

This sinner’s journey was just beginning.

And he couldn’t wait to send her on her way.

 

It was another job well done.

 

                            *     *     *

 

Three Hours Later

 

 

 In the silence of the night, he continued digging the hole. It was right beside the last three that he’d buried out in the middle of nowhere. For him, this was the plan all along.

This spot was ideal.

It stood just outside the church cemetery, oblivious to the living. This one spot spoke volumes of the people buried there.

See, they weren’t worthy of a proper plot.

Not yet.

God had yet to forgive them. Maybe when they were discovered and interred somewhere else, they’d be ready for a tombstone and flowers. For now, they were still impure. God would decide when it was time for them to have their moment. If they didn't ask for his forgiveness by now, here they would remain.

As he got down three feet, he hit rock.

Well then, this would have to do.

Dragging her body, wrapped in plastic sheeting to the hole, he said a prayer before dropping her in. The sick thud of skull hitting rock made him giddy. The sound brought happiness to him in some perverse way.

God would forgive him.

He knew it.

Once more, he had done a darn good job. Now, he could cover her up and get the hell out of there. The rains were coming, and he didn't want to leave too many tracks in the dirt.

No, he needed to stay invisible.

The Angel of Death couldn’t be effective if he wore a sign giving away his calling, now could he?

God demanded he stay in the shadows, and he was fine with that. How could he watch those who were to be judged if they knew it was their time? He couldn’t.

Then, they would be good.

No, he needed to remain hidden to be fair. They all had a choice in their destiny. If they made good decisions, they’d live longer.

If they didn't…

Yeah, well, she was a testament to her choices, as were her three companions in the ground.

There was a major lesson here. It was simple enough. You shouldn’t test God, because you won’t like the outcome.

With the last shovel of dirt, he finally finished the back breaking task. Grabbing all his things, he loaded them back into his truck.

Now, it was time to escape.

Tomorrow was another day, and certainly there would be more sin to find. God would point him in the right direction. Before long, these four would have another friend to keep them company. Since there was an endless amount of land, there could be an endless number of sinners.

It made him giddy.

“Forgive me, Father, for taking joy in my job,” he prayed.

When he heard the whispered words, he smiled satisfactorily.

All was forgiven.

Inside his truck, he stared into the mirror and couldn’t help but admire his power.

Yeah, being an angel was tough work. Yet in the end, it was worth it.

Not all of God’s helpers were meant to spread joy and peace to his followers.

Someone had to do the dirty work.

 

And he didn't mind at all…

 

 

                            *     *     *

  

Two Days Later

Black Mountain Indian Reservation

  

Getting out of his rental, he crossed the grass to the meeting house. Everything in Callen Whitefox was on edge. Mostly, because this was his first assignment away from the people he loved.

After returning from Salem, Elizabeth, Ethan, and he went back to living. Just a week ago, they found out that their woman was having a girl. The family was about to get another precious daughter added into their midst, and they couldn’t be happier.

Maybe that wasn’t a good enough description for all of their emotions. They were ecstatic!

Now, Callen was back on the road doing what he did best. As liaison to the Native community, it was his job to mediate. Maybe he was good at it because it was his nature, or it was all due to his ethnicity. It didn't really matter, because either way, this one job was going to be a rough one.

He could already tell.

When Native Americans were forced onto reservations hundreds of years ago, they took it badly. No one wanted their land stolen from them. Instead of what was promised, they were given poor living conditions, disease from the white man, and ultimately their death.

What he was facing down there was very reminiscent of years long ago.

There were more land issues brewing, and it was going to be damn ugly. Already, the Natives were restless, and he’d yet to start the mediation process.

As much as Callen was sympathetic to his people, it was his job to see both sides of the story. In fact, being in love and ‘married’ to an outsider gave him plenty of perspective for his job. His biggest obstacle wouldn’t be the land being ‘poached’, but the attitude that was sure to follow.

Pissed off Indians were a dangerous lot. Once backed into a corner, they were likely to do something irrational, and he needed to nip that in the bud.

Yeah, it was going to be a long one.

Before entering the building, Callen took a moment to look around, taking in his surroundings. Black Mountain was a dense reservation. The land was filled with trees, lush backdrop, and plenty of wildlife. The indigenous Natives here loved to hunt, build cabins, and try to have a normal life. From the looks of the space, they took pride in their greenery. The small two hundred square mile thatch of land was their pride.

Now, it was in danger.

While lush and lovely, this was home and prison all at the same time.

It gave them both pride and anger.

Being from the Rez, he totally got that.

Now they believed that the white man was moving the land borders without them knowing it. It was the ultimate insult. First you trap them, then you make the cage smaller and smaller.

It was adding insult to injury.

This was going to be a big battle, especially since the tribe wasn’t exactly sure who was doing it.

No, that wasn’t true.

They had a suspect.

 It just seemed… unlikely.

After doing this job for nearly two years, he’d seen many accusations haphazardly tossed around. Yet, this was one for the record books.

A part of him still couldn’t believe it.

This particular Native land butted a cemetery. Inside the wrought iron gates were the graves of deceased Christians. The Natives were accusing the church of trying to steal what wasn’t theirs.

Honestly, he found it funny.

Ahhhh, once more religion had reared its ugly head. While so many crimes were based on faith and beliefs, his job was often pretty cut and dried.

Oh, not this time.

The heathens and Christians were about to butt heads.

Now, Callen had to calm the Natives, reassure the Christians, and soothe so many tempers. There were times he wished there were two of him. With each case of encroachment, it was getting harder and harder to find a middle ground. Maybe it was because being Native, he was having a hard time extracting himself from the situation.

After all, he grew up on a Rez. His perspective was already tainted. Where he was from, poverty was rampant, food was scarce, and honestly, he didn't even see a doctor until he was a preteen. Looking at the empty stares of the Natives, he knew how blessed he was to escape. Yeah, that may have given him a tiny bit of bias.

Hey, he was only human.

Then again, all that changed. Callen had a decent job, a home that a Native could only dream about, and a family who loved him. His long tedious days in old shoes, broken down vehicles, and abject poverty were a million miles away.

This was why he loved his job.

It made him humble.

How could he come to work every day, see where he came from, and forget?

There was no way in hell he could become jaded. This daily experience made him want to work harder for the Natives, and the generations which were coming up behind him.

At the entrance to the meeting house, he was met by a simple looking man wearing jeans and a jacket. Dakota Molala was the epitome of Native. In his late forties, he stood there with his arms crossed, trying to look imposing.

Yeah, it wasn’t working.

In all honesty, Callen was more terrified of Elizabeth when they stirred her up.

“Brother Whitefox! Thank you for coming to our reservation,” he said, holding out his hand in welcome. As customary, the man’s hand was adorned with turquoise and bracelets fashioned by his people from silver. His braids were long and indicative of his people.

In that moment, Callen missed his hair.

He couldn’t help it. Pushing it down, he tried to focus on the issue at hand.

“Chief Molala, thank you for your invitation to your land. I look forward to assisting you with your problem.”

The man sincerely hoped so. His people didn't trust the FBI as far as they could throw them. There was so much bad blood brewing. “We heard that you’re the best mediator, and we’re glad that you could come. I’ve arranged for you to stay on the reservation while you’re here. We have a few empty cabins. I hope they’re to your liking. I’ll give you the address and keys later.”

Callen was appreciative. Although, he’d rather be at home, sleeping in his own bed beside Elizabeth and Ethan. Oh well, this was work and duty called.

Going inside the meeting house, Callen took in his surroundings. It reminded him of the traditional decorations on the Rez at home. The colors called to Callen, giving him a sense of belonging.

“I appreciate your kindness, Chief. I hope that I can help you with your situation.”

The man hoped so too. “I’ll be honest with you, Director Whitefox. We’ve never had this problem before,” he said, taking a seat, as he offered one to his visitor. The minute he sat, Chief Molala signaled to the woman in the corner. She rushed over with tea and something to eat for their guest.

Callen wasn’t hungry, but to not accept it would be an insult. Nodding, he spoke to the woman in his Native language, hoping they were similar.

When she replied, he relaxed. This was the first step in gaining their trust. His ethnicity would only go so far. Now, they would watch to see if he practiced what he preached, so to speak.

The chief was impressed. “So, you are one of us. Too many of today’s Natives don’t take the time to learn things from our ancestors. Your family must be very proud of you.”

Callen hoped they were. “I’m very much a Native to the core, Chief. In fact, my whole family is very entrenched in our culture.”

“Please, call me Dakota. I’m not really this formal,” he stated, sipping his tea. I just need to know that the person who will be representing us has our best interests at heart. When I heard they were sending a Native, I was wary. How can one who knows the atrocities of the white man still work for him? I’ll be honest, I was definitely worried.”

Score one for the FBI. Two minutes in and they were on a first name basis. “Please call me Callen. As to the ‘working for the white man’,” he began, “I’ve found that it’s best to judge each one by their actions and not the color of their skin. Like many Natives, you get the good and the bad.”

The man smiled warmly. “That is very wise.”

Whew. Okay, so far, so good. Callen began to relax.

“My people will be happy to know that we will be understood.”

Callen knew this was all part of the very intricate dance. “We may not be of the same tribe, but we share the same goals, Dakota. In fact, my boss is also Native. I can assure you that he cares about your issues.”

The man ate a cookie. “Yes, I’ve seen him on the news after his abduction. It was a shame what they did to his hair. It’s a very big part of us,” he said, touching the braid.

Callen agreed there. Every day he missed it, longing to get it back. No matter how hard he tried, Callen felt lost without it.

“I see that you cut yours.”

Ah, the man did his research. It wasn’t like it was hard. The day the media saw him and Elizabeth with shorn hair, it was like a maelstrom of publicity. Everyone and their brother assumed it was because of what the killer did to Ethan.

Well, they were absolutely correct. They had sacrificed their hair for his heart.

“Yes, I did. It was to stand with my brother. Your blood matters most in life.”

The man seemed to appreciate that. After all, they were all one.

“Now, what seems to be the issue, Dakota? You mentioned that there were land encroachments from your eastern neighbor, but that’s all I know.”

When his body language changed, Callen couldn’t help but notice it. The smile was gone, the arms were crossed, and his demeanor was tense.

“Someone has been burying their dead on this Rez.”

That had Callen’s attention. “I’m sorry, what?” There was no way that he had heard that correctly. There had to be some sort of mistake.

“Let me start at the beginning. To our east is a cemetery, which is owned by a local town church. We’ve never had a problem with them before. Yet as of late, we’ve discovered their dead are spilling past the wrought iron fence to find their final resting place on our land.”

Callen found that odd.

Who buried people in the woods? Already, the hairs on the back of his neck were standing. It didn't seem right to him.

At all.

“Please continue,” he offered to the chief, trying to get to the bottom of this.

“We had a few of the tribe out scouting the area. We’re looking to expand the camping grounds for local tourism. That’s how we make our money in the off season. The little shops and stores on the Rez don’t supply our people with enough income.”

He understood so far.

“So, we went to the furthest part of the Rez to work our way in. We wanted to be respectful of the cemetery and not have a campground right beside it. It would become a place where our guests would undoubtedly wander. You know how old cemeteries garner attention. They draw in the ghost hunters and riff raff.”

“I’m with you so far, sir.”

“Once arriving at the gate, the scouting group found that some ground appeared to have been messed with. Immediately, they came back to report the situation. Had it been a small patch of dirt, it may have gone unnoticed.”

Callen didn’t like where this was heading.

Disturbed land was one thing, but the chief already knew that there were graves. That could only mean one thing…

“So, I headed out there to investigate.”

Callen was finding it hard not to jump to conclusions. Being in the FBI, you dealt with a lot of crazy shit. This was beginning to sound very familiar.

 “We need you to stop this before it escalates. The bodies must be removed from our land and returned to their side of the fence.”

Yep, it was very familiar indeed.

“Chief, you know for sure that there are bodies?” Callen crossed his fingers, praying that the man was just assuming. After all, he could have found some disturbed dirt. Maybe this was a case of overactive imagination.

“Yes. We dug them up.”

Or not.

“WHAT?” Callen wasn’t quite sure he heard the man correctly.

“I said…”

He stopped him. “I know what you said. I’m having a big problem with the last part. You dug up bodies?”

“We were going to drive them back to the church and leave them there. Then, we got word that you were coming and opted to let you see what we found.”

Callen couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You actually disturbed a grave?” That was a big no-no for most Natives. They didn't like to bother the dead after they were buried. To them, the deceased needed time to cross over.

“Yes, we dug all of them up.”

Yeah, this whole conversation was getting worse by the minute. “How many is all?”

“In total, we found four bodies. As you can see, it’s beginning to be a big problem. If they’re burying their dead here, eventually it’s going to spread. I’m assuming it’s people who couldn’t afford a proper burial, and that’s why the unmarked graves.”

Callen was getting that sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. “Why do you say that, Chief?”

He shrugged. “They’re not in caskets and their bodies are wrapped in these makeshift shrouds. It’s kind of creepy.”

Oh boy.

Okay, this was all wrong. No one buried bodies without a casket. There were laws and regulations in the United States. Callen may not be aware of all of them, but he knew that even Natives had to use a vessel to house the remains. No one wanted contaminated drinking water.

The idea made him want to gag as he stared down at his tea.

“I need to see them. Where are they?”

The man stood. “I’ll drive you out there. I sent a few of our people out to wait with them while you and I had our meeting. We were certain that you would handle it once you heard of our issues.”

Oh, he’d be handling it alright.

If it was what he suspected, it didn't look like he was heading home anytime soon. In fact, he was going to be getting some back up on this one.

Four bodies screamed full FBI investigation.

Getting into the chief’s beat up truck, he buckled in. Sending a text to his brother, he told him he thought they had an issue. Now, he’d need to make sure before he said anything more. There was no point working Ethan up if it was nothing.

Yeah, he wasn’t that naïve.  

Where there was smoke, there was fire. Four corpses pretty much equaled a five alarm blaze.

As they drove on in silence, the chief finally pulled over. “We need to walk from here, Callen. I hope you don’t mind getting your boots dirty.”

He didn't. All he wanted was to get clarification before he contacted base. Right now, his pulse was pounding in his neck.

Fortunately for them, the walk was a short hike into the wooded area. Despite the situation, it reminded Callen of home. The dense forest always called to him.

Ironically, it still was. Only this time, it called to the FBI agent in him instead.

Once they arrived, Callen weighed the situation. Standing there were three Native men, all holding shovels.

“They’re still in the holes,” Chief Molala said, pointing into the shallow graves.

Callen carefully moved toward to the gaping holes. Stopping at the first one, he was immediately hit with a familiar scent. It reminded him of Christmas.

He found that odd.

The hole wasn’t deep and inside was the first body. It was wrapped in a white cloth and tied with strips of torn material. All he could think of was some scary old move.

“Are you serious?” he said, moving toward the other holes. In each one, he found similar remains. “Is this how you found them?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder at the men.

“Yes, it is. Now, what should we do?”

Callen almost wanted to start laughing. If they thought they had a big problem before, it was about to get a million times worse. His suspicions were right.

This was definitely FBI worthy.

Callen hated to break it to the man, but the chief didn't have someone interloping on his land. He had someone sneaking onto the reservation to do something far worse.

In fact, it was sinister.

“Chief, I have to call this one in. These bodies aren’t that old. You don’t have someone stealing ground for graves.”

“We don’t?” he replied.

“No, you have someone hiding bodies. You have a killer using the reservation as a dumping ground.”

He looked surprised.

“That can’t be good,” he stated.

Callen laughed. “Yeah, trust me. It never is.”

 

 

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xoxooxoxo MK