Never Again (Taken Series-Book 2)

By Debra Lee

How far would you go to protect your child?

Welcome to the fictitious little town of Watery, Pennsylvania where stay-at-home mom, Mary Jackson has reason to fear her child will be taken again.

Snatched from her crib in the middle of the night as a newborn, two-year-old Jena’s abductor’s whereabouts is suddenly unknown. And on top of that, another child snatcher and killer lurks close by.

From The Author

I wrote this novella because some readers of my book Taken wished I had told them more about Mary’s little brother Michael and his killer. Others wanted to know what happened to Jena’s abductor. I was curious as well. So there you have it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Debra Lee
• Release date: May 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463942239

Debra Lee

If Debra's in a murderous mood, she might write a murder mystery or a chilling thriller. When there's romance in the air, Debra's been known to pen a love story.On a personal note, Debra was once a stay-at-home mom, real estate agent and owner of a pizza delivery business. Now she writes full-time. Debra’s the mother of two grown sons and grandmother to one grandson. She shares her home in Pennsylvania with her husband and five felines.Debra loves to hear from readers and invites all to visit her Web site.http://www.debralee.net

Book preview

Never Again

A Domestic Thriller

By

Debra Lee

Copyright © 2017 by Debra Lee

All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

Also by Debra Lee

Featuring Fay Cunningham

A Dangerous Woman

Deadly Arrows

The Fay Cunningham Mysteries 

Other Novels

Taken

Dangerous Bedfellows

Heartbeat

Redemption

Savior

See Dick Run

Visit the author online at

http://www.debralee.net

Once upon a time, I killed a little boy. I had to shut him up. But mostly, I wanted to see if I could get away with it.

Chapter One

Were you burning the midnight oil with Kelly again last night, Reilly asked as he appeared in the kitchen doorway.

You’re home, Mary gasped, rushed into her husband’s arms and planted a big kiss on his lips.

He gave her a second gentle squeeze and moved out around her to Jena, sitting in the high chair, arms extended toward him.

Up, Daddy.

Mary watched him lift the two-year-old from the seat and give her a hug, followed by a kiss on the forehead and each cheek. If all goes as planned, Reilly would soon be Jena’s real daddy.

Did you miss me? Reilly asked and tickled Jena’s belly.

Jena giggled as he danced around the kitchen with her in his arms.

Mary continued to smile as she carried Jena’s cereal bowl to the sink, then lost the smile. Reilly, I haven’t seen Kelly in days. What made you think he was here last night?

He stood still. His glowing expression instantly dimmed. The muddy footprints on the front porch.

The morning sun coming through the kitchen window of their cottage that stood on the river bank had filled Mary with warmth after three cloudy days with off and on rain showers. As she rushed toward the front door, the warmth was replaced with an ice cold chill that scooted up her spine.

She inhaled deeply and opened the door.

A few muddy footprints were near the doorstep, but several were smeared near the area outside the living room window.

Reilly moved in next to her. I’m guessing they’re not yours. Mary grabbed Jena from his arms and held her tight in spite of the child’s protest. Mare, talk to me. What’s going on?

We need to put her crib back into our bedroom. No one is taking her again.

She swept around him and headed toward the hallway and bedrooms.

Inside Jena’s room, she put the child down next to the toy box and moved to the crib. Her daughter’s bed would not fit through the doorway and needed to be disassembled to be moved to the master bedroom.

Reilly’s hand closed over hers as she began removing the musical mobile Jena still loved. Leave it and talk to me.

Daddy play, Jena said and extended her hands that held building blocks.

Reilly smiled down at her. How about you build a big tower while Mommy and I go talk a minute.

Okay. Me make a great big one.

Mary reluctantly allowed Reilly to guide her to the living room couch. I never should’ve let you talk me into putting her in her own bedroom.

Reilly sat next to her and took her hand in his. Those footprints could be yours. Your car’s parked next to a mud puddle. Maybe yesterday you stepped in it and tracked mud on the porch.

Mary glared at the large picture window to her left. There’s only one explanation for the ones outside the window.

I’ll sleep on the floor in Jena’s bedroom for a while if it will make you feel better. But I won’t move her back into ours. Mary attempted to pull her hand away from his. He held tight. We can’t do that to her, Mare. Not after the big deal we made about her having her own room.

Reilly released the hold on her hand when she swung her arm away from him and jumped up. She glared at the window. I know you’re right, but it’s better to keep her safe.

He stood and slid his arm around her waist and drew her close. She is safe. And we’ll figure out where those footprints came from.

I suppose Kelly could’ve been here when I was bathing Jena and I didn’t hear him knock. He might’ve looked in the window, didn’t see us and left.

We’ll check with him.

Jena burst into the room clapping her hands. Daddy-Mommy come look.

Reilly smiled wide, kissed Mary’s cheek, and scurried after Jena.

Mary’s grin at seeing her daughter’s excitement disappeared. As much as she wanted to follow them into Jena’s bedroom, she hurried into the kitchen instead.

She grabbed her cell phone off the counter, located Kelly Rogers’ number and placed the call. With each unanswered ring, the tension built. Pick up, screamed inside her head until his voice mail came on.

Rogers here. You know what to do.

Kelly, it’s Mary. I need to talk to you right away.

She no sooner ended the call and her phone rang.

Kelly.

Yeah.

Were you at my house last night?

Been out of town a couple days. What’s wrong?

She couldn’t breathe.

Mary. You there?

I’m here. Are you home now?

Not for another day or two.

Okay, I’ll talk to you when you get back.

She hung up because she didn’t want him to accuse her of being paranoid again if she told him about the muddy footprints. But she wasn’t being paranoid now or before. She wished she had never agreed to do that television interview. Creepy phone calls had followed. Changing her number had