ALSO BY JOHN GILSTRAP
Final Target
Nick of Time
Friendly Fire
Against All Enemies
End Game
Soft Targets
High Treason
Damage Control
Threat Warning
Hostage Zero
No Mercy
Six Minutes to Freedom
Scott Free
Even Steven
At All Costs
Nathan’s Run
SCORPION STRIKE
JOHN GILSTRAP
KENSINGTON BOOKS
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com
All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.
Table of Contents
Also by Title Page Copyright Page Dedication 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 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS About the Author
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2018 by John Gilstrap, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
Library of Congress Card Catalogue Number: 2018932834
Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-1-4967-1815-0
First Kensington Hardcover Edition: July 2018
ISBN-13: 978-0-7860-3981-4
ISBN-10: 0-7860-3981-7
First Kensington Electronic Edition: July 2018
To Joyce Parker Thibeault Powell.
(May 4, 1927–September 3, 2017)
Among the brightest, most vibrant ladies that I have ever known. She was the mom and grandmom and great-grandmom that we all wish we had. A lover of family, tennis, and whiskey sours. And books. Lots and lots of books. We miss you.
CHAPTER 1
“SO, LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT,” ANNIE BANKS SAID, LEANING IN A little closer. Her eyes looked less swimmy than her words sounded. “You get to stay here as long as you want, eat the food, drink the booze, and you don’t have to pay for it.”
Tyler Stratton smiled and sipped from his Jack and Coke—his fifth of the evening. “Divorce isn’t necessarily as traumatic for children as the talk shows lead you to believe,” he said. “Paternal guilt is a powerful force.” They sat at a table for two in the largely empty lobby bar, surrounded by mahogany and crystal. While the place didn’t close for another half hour, all but the most stalwart
