Snowfall

By Tanya Goodwin

Right before the Christmas holidays, Detective Maggie Doyle and her prosecutor husband, Ian, put away a major drug kingpin in a Manhattan court room. When the kingpin vows revenge while behind bars—and he has the connections outside to stalk and kill Maggie and Ian—their annual Christmas get away to a rustic Vermont cabin isn't the peaceful one they'd hoped it would be.

Maggie relives the takedown that involved Allia, her canine, and Brian, her rookie partner, who was shot during the melee. While Brian is recovering, Maggie deals with the guilt that she failed to protect him. But when Maggie and Ian's Manhattan friends arrive as their holiday guests, Maggie tries to forget that chaotic day. However, the kingpin's threat continues to echo in her head. Now she has four people, including herself, to protect.

While surrounded by Ian, Allia, and her friends, Maggie manages to get back into the holiday spirit… that is until while walking Allia outside, just before a snowstorm, Maggie falls into a snowy trap.

Injured, Maggie looks up from a hole she'd fallen into, only to see the drug kingpin's henchmen staring down at her.

They got her!

Knowing, Ian, and her guests are in danger, her only hope is that Allia could run back to the cabin and summon for help before it's too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tanya Goodwin
• Release date: Mar 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9781513694320

Tanya Goodwin

Tanya Goodwin writes romantic suspense with a twist of medicine, medical romance, and mystery. Her experiences as a physician are reflected in her characters and in her stories. Tanya is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Medicine and completed her specialty training as an obstetrician and gynecologist in Tampa, Florida. A former New Yorker, she now resides in St. Petersburg, Fl. Her present life as a traveling doctor allows her to switch from stethoscope to keyboard. Tanya is a member of Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime.

Book preview

SNOWFALL

By

Tanya Goodwin

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright 2022 by Tanya Goodwin

E-book ISBN 9781513694320

CHAPTER ONE

THE MINUTE DETECTIVE Maggie Doyle opened the car door, Allia jumped from the back seat and landed in the foot of snow with her tail swishing like a happy child minus the snowsuit. The German Shepherd dove her snout into the snow, flung the white fluff into the air, and then shook her head when the shower of flakes plopped on her snout. The dog barked at her own hijinks.

Maggie chuckled. She does this every year.

Ian stood from the driver’s seat, grinned, and nodded.

She does, he said.

They’d come to the same secluded Vermont country cabin every Christmas for the last five years, but this year was different.

Instead of the usual holiday giddiness during the road trip from Manhattan to Vermont, Maggie periodically stared out the passenger window and then leaned over toward Ian to check the rearview mirror. Finally satisfied that no car was following them, and once they left the interstate and proceeded along idyllic country roads, Maggie relaxed in her seat. Seclusion was exactly what she desperately needed. No one would find her out here, she reminded herself.

She’d testified right before the holiday break against, Quentin Ponce, aka Master Q, the drug kingpin who she and Allia, her trusted canine partner, along with her partner, Brian Yang, finally cornered after a three month sting operation. They’d penetrated his fortress, taking him and his soldiers down.

It wasn’t her first takedown, but it was the first time her partner was injured. She was the lead detective, the experienced one, but Brian only had a year under his belt in narcotics. She should’ve been one step ahead of Master Q and his posse. Damn! She didn’t see one his henchmen before he shot Brian. Maggie shuddered. He could’ve popped Brian in the head. Done her and Allia the same. She took him down, but not fast enough.

Master Q’s final words to Maggie before he was dragged away in handcuffs echoed in her head.

I’m going to get you, bitch! he growled and then bared his yellowed teeth at her.

But he was on his way to a super max prison, and she was here with Ian, her husband and lead prosecutor in the case, and soon with their friends, Jolie and Max, who happily took up the invitation to spend Christmas with them at the cabin.

Despite everything that went down, she was determined to have a peaceful Christmas far away from gunfire and court rooms.

Allia galloped to the cabin’s door, sat, and woofed her impatience.

Okay. Okay. We’re coming! Maggie called.

Ian popped the trunk and then tossed the keyring to Maggie.

The keys jangled in the air until Maggie snatched them.

Good catch!

I’ve excellent hand-eye coordination, Maggie called.

Ian laughed Don’t I know it!

Let Allia and yourself inside. I’ll grab the box of ornaments.

Maggie’s boots crunched in the snow while she jogged to the cabin door where Allia was already standing, ready to bolt inside.

Maggie fished the cabin key from the ring and clicked the door open.

There you go, she said to Allia.

Allia trotted inside and Maggie followed her.

Maggie shivered.

It’s colder in here than it is outside.

Allia jumped onto the couch opposite the stone cold fireplace and set her head down on the corner of the couch.

Don’t bother to get up. I’ll go get the firewood so you can be warm and cozy.

Her canine partner looked up at her.

Maggie shook her head. You owe me.

Ian walked inside the cabin while hugging a cardboard box. He set it down and then grinned. What is it that I owe you?

Maggie laughed. I was talking to Allia, but you can always owe me a kiss!

I certainly wouldn’t want to be in debt to you.

Ian settled his cool lips onto Maggie’s, but the warmth from their nestled noses heated their kiss.

They parted, the heat still between them.

Who needs firewood? Ian teased.

We do.

Right.

Maggie headed out the cabin door.

Let me get the wood, Ian called.

I got it, Maggie said.

If we both go then the firewood would be doubled.

All right.

He had a point. She knew he hardly thought her helpless. She was what she was—fiercely independent.

Maggie and Ian walked outside and to the covered stack of cut logs. They yanked the tarp off the wood and each grabbed a handful of wood.

This should hold us for the night, Maggie said.

Sid left us more than plenty for our stay.

Sid Stagmore owned the cabin, but rented it to Maggie and Ian every Christmas. He and his wife, Marthas, lived ten miles away in the comfort of his condo.

Maggie followed Ian with her firewood.

A twig snapped.

Maggie froze in place while Ian proceeded toward the cabin.

Her hands were full. Plus, she had no weapon except the wood.

Ian turned around probably sensing she wasn’t behind him.

Maggie looked sideways.

Shit! It was only a rabbit.

Hey, are you all right? Ian called.

Yeah. I almost dropped my bundle. But I got it.

Okay.

Ian slowly moved on, waiting for her to catch up.

She wasn’t going to mention the rabbit, or worse, that she was spooked.

Enough was enough.

Master Q wasn’t going to inhabit her head.

Maggie kicked the door shut once she and Ian were inside.

While Ian stacked logs in the fireplace, Maggie searched the kitchen drawers for matches.

Found the matches, she called.

Maggie squatted next to Ian and tossed two long match sticks into the pile of wood.

Burn, baby. Burn!

The wood burned amber and then bright orange.

Maggie rubbed her fingertips on the front of her jacket in victory.

Ha! First try!

You light my fire, baby!

Maggie rested her head on Ian’s shoulder.

Cheesy, but sweet at the same time.

I think we can peel off these jackets now, Ian said.

They unzipped their jackets, and Ian removed Maggie’s hat, shaking off the few flakes left on it. She took off his hat and peppered him with flecks of snow.

Hey!

Maggie laughed. Hey you! Come here!

The fire was roaring by now and Maggie and Ian huddled together on the area rug in front of the flames, doubling the delicious heat between them.

Allia jumped off the couch and joined them, and the three snuggled together.

I should get dinner started, Maggie said.

Sid and his wife always left them provisions in the fridge, anticipating their arrival.

Ian pulled Maggie to his chest.

What’s the hurry? he asked. Let’s just stay here awhile.

He kissed her on the head and held her tighter.

You were solid on that stand. Ian said. He continued as any good prosecutor would, You put him away after he’d slipped by scores of others—and Brian is recovering at home. His arm’s going to be fine. He’s home with his family and you’re here with me and Allia. You don’t have to feel guilty. Bad shit happens. You and I know that. But you, Brian, and Allia are alive. Try hard to not overthink it. Don’t let him take up space in your head. You know he’s counting on that.

Maggie pressed her head against Ian’s shoulder. I know.

She stirred from Ian’s arms. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.

I could go for some dinner. Let’s see what Sid and Martha left for us in the fridge.

I hope it’s Martha’s chicken and noodle casserole.

Maggie and Ian got up and headed to the fridge.

Allia followed close behind.

Oh, so you think you’re going to get some, do you? Maggie teased her. Well, you would be right.

After Allia’s part in the takedown, she