my characters as they tried to survive and solve the puzzle of who was trying to kill them. In my research, this story took me into the dark world of drug smuggling, and into the new and terrifying world of designer drugs, online ordering of those drugs, along with postal service delivery. Writing stories like this can often leave me concerned about the world we live in, and for my children’s future, but I have to remind myself that God is with me. He will never leave nor forsake me. And I know that to be true.
I pray for His wisdom and guidance in your life, and that you’ll know without a doubt that He’s with you, even when you’re struggling through the darkest of times. I pray His many blessings on you, my friend.
If you’d like to know more about me or my books, please connect with me at my website: ElizabethGoddard.com. You can find my Facebook and Twitter pages there too. I hope to hear from you soon!
Blessings!
Elizabeth Goddard
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
—Deuteronomy 31:6
To Dan, my hero.
A writer can’t create a novel in a vacuum. We can’t write the stories alone. We need experts to help us get it right. Many thanks to those who helped me with various aspects of this story. Susan Sleeman—thanks for your police-procedural expertise and your brainstorming help. Martin Roy Hill—I couldn’t have written this story without your expertise on all things Coast Guard. I especially appreciate your naming of the USCGC Kraken! And last but never least, I want to thank my editor, Elizabeth Mazer, and my agent, Steve Laube, for believing in my stories!
Contents
Her head throbbed and grogginess gripped her. She rocked as if on giant waves. A deep, aching chill touched her feet. The coldness licked at her toes until she slowly realized the sensation felt more than cold—it felt wet.
Salty water.
Giant, rolling waves.
Blinking, Sadie Strand pushed through the debilitating fuzziness and stirred completely awake. She drew in a breath. A small silver dolphin pendant pressed into the gray marine carpet near her cheek. Confusion racked her thoughts. She released the pendant from its snare and pushed up on her elbows, nausea washing over her again. What? Where am I? By the listing of her quarters, she realized she was on a boat and waves caused the swaying motion, the violent rocking.
