A Place to Call Home

“A page-turning thriller” – Amazon Review

Susan O’Neil, young, single entrepreneur and owner of her own computer consulting business, is shocked to discover runaways Cassie and Ellie eating out of her trash. Thus begins a dangerous journey, both figuratively and literally, for Susan, the children, and childhood friend and undercover FBI agent, Jim Russell. Racing against the clock to find the true paternity of the supposed orphans pits Susan and Jim against a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to protect his empire. From the Baltimore City Government to the Caribbean Islands and the Las Vegas Casinos, the unearthed secrets about Cassie and Ellie’s past threaten all of their futures.

Excerpt

“What are you doing in here, Ellie? Do you want to get us in trouble? We have to get out of here. You know we’re not allowed…” The front door opened causing Cassie to jump. She squeezed under the desk with Ellie.

“Do you think he’ll know we’re here?” Ellie whispered.

“You better hope not, Ellie. Now, shush!”

They saw the door to the office swing open, and watched as Mr. Moore’s feet came closer to the desk. They held their breath as he stopped just inches from the front of the desk, their wide eyes looking down at the tips of his shoes staring up at them from the below the front panel of the desk. They listened as Mr. Moore pushed the button on the answering machine.

“Alex, we’ve got problems,” said a familiar voice. “Reynolds has gone nuts. He’s on his way over to your place. His wife is leaving him, and he’s blaming us. He says he’s not covering for us any more. Says he’s going to the press with what he knows about Cassie and Ellie and about the company. All the money in the world won’t keep them from running with this story, Alex. If he talks, nobody can stop this, not even your people.”

Cassie and Ellie looked at each other in alarm. Mr. Moore started to come around the desk but was stopped by a loud pounding on the front door.

“Open up Moore,” someone yelled. “If you don’t let me in, I’ll blow the door handle off.”

Mr. Moore hesitated for a moment then started across the room toward the front hall. The girls huddled down so that they could peek out from under the desk. They watched him go into the foyer and both jumped when they heard the gunshot and the sound of the front door flying open. They saw shards of wood rain down in the office doorway.