Don’t Blink (A Taylor Sage FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 8)

By Molly Black

When an unsuspecting medical student learns their unknown cadaver was the victim of a murder—and the signature of a new serial killer—FBI Special Agent Taylor Sage must enter the world of medical students and race to understand where this killer lurks—and where he will strike again.


“Molly Black has written a taut thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat… I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the next book in the series!”

—Reader review for Girl One: Murder



DON’T BLINK is book #8 of a brand-new series by critically acclaimed and #1 bestselling mystery and suspense author Molly Black, whose books have received over 2,000 five-star reviews and ratings.



With ominous Tarot readings, cadavers are piling up, and Taylor is thwarted at every turn. Taylor must enter the mind of the murderer, and maybe even put on a white coat, to uncover the killer. But will she find the truth in time?



A page-turning and harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured FBI agent, the TAYLOR SAGE series is a riveting mystery, packed with non-stop action, suspense, twists and turns, revelations, and driven by a breakneck pace that will keep you flipping pages late into the night. Fans of Rachel Caine, Teresa Driscoll and Robert Dugoni are sure to fall in love.



Future books in this series will be available soon!



“I binge read this book. It hooked me in and didn't stop till the last few pages… I look forward to reading more!”

—Reader review for Found You



“I loved this book! Fast-paced plot, great characters and interesting insights into investigating cold cases. I can't wait to read the next book!”

—Reader review for Girl One: Murder



“Very good book… You will feel like you are right there looking for the kidnapper! I know I will be reading more in this series!”

—Reader review for Girl One: Murder



“This is a very well written book and holds your interest from page 1… Definitely looking forward to reading the next one in the series, and hopefully others as well!”

—Reader review for Girl One: Murder



“Wow, I cannot wait for the next in this series. Starts with a bang and just keeps going.”

—Reader review for Girl One: Murder



“Well written book with a great plot, one that will keep you up at night. A page turner!”

—Reader review for Girl One: Murder



“A great suspense that keeps you reading… can't wait for the next in this series!”

—Reader review for Found You



“Sooo soo good! There are a few unforeseen twists… I binge read this like I binge watch Netflix. It just sucks you in.”

—Reader review for Found You

• Language: English
• Publisher: Molly Black
• Release date: Jan 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9781094395685

Book preview

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D O N ’ T   B L I N K

(A Taylor Sage FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 8)

M o l l y   B l a c k

Molly Black

Bestselling author Molly Black is author of the MAYA GRAY FBI suspense thriller series, comprising nine books; of the RYLIE WOLF FBI suspense thriller series, comprising six books; of the TAYLOR SAGE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising eight books; of the KATIE WINTER FBI suspense thriller series, comprising eleven books (and counting); and of the RUBY HUNTER FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting).

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Molly loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.mollyblackauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Copyright © 2023 by Molly Black. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author. 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 recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Jacket image Copyright Lokodi Attila, used under license from Shutterstock.com.

BOOKS BY MOLLY BLACK

MAYA GRAY MYSTERY SERIES

GIRL ONE: MURDER (Book #1)

GIRL TWO: TAKEN (Book #2)

GIRL THREE: TRAPPED (Book #3)

GIRL FOUR: LURED (Book #4)

GIRL FIVE: BOUND (Book #5)

GIRL SIX: FORSAKEN (Book #6)

GIRL SEVEN: CRAVED (Book #7)

GIRL EIGHT: HUNTED (Book #8)

GIRL NINE: GONE (Book #9)

RYLIE WOLF FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

FOUND YOU (Book #1)

CAUGHT YOU (Book #2)

SEE YOU (Book #3)

WANT YOU (Book #4)

TAKE YOU (Book #5)

DARE YOU (Book #6)

TAYLOR SAGE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

DON’T LOOK (Book #1)

DON’T BREATHE (Book #2)

DON’T RUN (Book #3)

DON’T FLINCH (Book #4)

DON’T REMEMBER (Book #5)

DON’T TELL (Book #6)

DON’T HIDE (Book #7)

DON’T BLINK (Book #8)

KATIE WINTER FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

SAVE ME (Book #1)

REACH ME (Book #2)

HIDE ME (Book #3)

BELIEVE ME (Book #4)

HELP ME (Book #5)

FORGET ME (Book #6)

HOLD ME (Book #7)

PROTECT ME (Book #8)

REMEMBER ME (Book #9)

CATCH ME (Book #10)

WATCH ME (Book #11)

RUBY HUNTER FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

IF I RUN (Book #1)

IF I TELL (Book #2)

IF I LIVE (Book #3)

IF I FORGET (Book #4)

IF I RETURN (Book #5)

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

EPILOGUE

PROLOGUE

Clara looked down at the cadaver, feeling a strange sense of both mortality and fascination. As a med student, she knew that looking at cadavers--and examining them--was a big part of her career. But that didn't mean it was necessarily fun.

It was more like a necessary part of the curriculum.

The body before her was pale, a man in his thirties. There were many cadavers in the room, most with students crowding around them, but Clara had found this one at the back and had taken it for her own examination. She had her notebook open, reporting what she saw upon first glance.

She was a little surprised to find that she couldn't guess much about the man. He may have been an organ donor, or someone who had died in the hospital.

He was naked on the table, his features fairly unremarkable. He was Caucasian, with brown hair and eyes, and a slightly receding hairline. His nose was straight but his lips were thin, giving him a stern expression.

He's in good health, Clara muttered.

What? her peer, Craig, said from beside her, busy at his own table.

Healthy, she repeated, ignoring him. He's not sick. And he doesn't smoke. She looked down at the cadaver's hands. You can tell because there are no nicotine stains on his fingers.

Is that right? Craig said, sounding unimpressed.

Clara ignored him again. She was used to his snarky comments. He was the one who'd picked this cadaver, after all. She'd been at the back of the room looking for something that didn't look too horrific, and he'd pointed this one out to her.

She rolled her eyes, but she'd taken it anyway. At least it didn't have any gaping orifices.

Now, she used her fingers to part the man's lips. She frowned at his teeth. He's got a few fillings, but nothing major.

That's the secret to a long life? Craig asked, looking over at her. No major dental work?

It could be, Clara said, feeling a little defensive. I don't know. I'm just reporting what I see. If I knew what made people live long, I might be able to make it my life's work.

You've got a long life to go, Craig said. I'm sure you'll figure it out.

Clara ignored him again. She looked at the cadaver's hands, then up at his arms. There are no signs of needle marks on his arms, so we can assume he wasn't a drug addict...

She trailed down his body for more notable features. As she reached his legs, a large red patch at the back of his calf caught her eye.

Wait, what's this? Clara said out loud.

Behind her, Craig scoffed. Do you have to speak everything out loud, Clara? Keep it to yourself.

She ignored him, too focused on the red patch. She carefully shifted the leg so she could see underneath. It was definitely a strange, large, red patch, but Clara recognized it from her studies.

This was Necrobiosis Lipoidica.

What is that? Craig asked. Is that a scar?

It's an allergic reaction to lipids, Clara said. It's a very strange condition. It's like a rash that shows up at the site of an injury and heals over a period of months. It's like...like...

She trailed off.

Like what? Craig asked, his tone impatient.

Like the body is trying to repair itself, Clara said, her eyes wide.

I don't think it knows what it's doing, Craig said, and Clara could see his own eyes were wide. I don't think it can think.

Not as a person, Clara said. But as a body. The cells know how to heal wounds, so they're trying to...

It's like our body is trying to heal itself, Craig said. He looked at Clara, his eyes wide and excited. That's amazing.

What is?

Clara and Craig turned. Dr. Clifford, their anatomy professor, was standing beside them.

Look, Dr. Clifford, Clara said, impressed with her find. This cadaver has Necrobiosis Lipoidica.

It does? Dr. Clifford came over, her red hair in a long braid down her back. She looked closer at the body. Very good eye, Clara. That's exactly what this is. Strange, though... I don't recall a cadaver with this condition being put into our system.

Students began to gather around them now, and Clara felt strangely proud of her find. This was a unique feature, a rare condition, but she had spotted and identified it immediately.

It must be an old one, Dr. Clifford said. Necrobiosis Lipoidica is a very rare condition. It's not one you'll see often in a cadaver.

Perhaps it's an organ donor, Craig said. There's no sign of the real cause of death.

It's true, Dr. Clifford replied. I don't recall seeing this in any of the paperwork. And I would have loved to examine a case of Necrobiosis. It's a very rare condition, but very interesting. I would have gladly taken this cadaver.

Perhaps we should look at it more closely, Clara said. She was still staring at the patch of Necrobiosis on the cadaver's leg. It was about six inches long and surrounded by a red ring. It's interesting, and I'd like to study it more.

She knew she would be looking at this cadaver in a very different way from now on. It was an important part of her education.

No, hold off, Clara, Dr. Clifford said, staring at the man's face. I don't... I don't recognize this cadaver, and I examined them all myself beforehand.

Clara's stomach fell, and she exchanged a look with Craig. Whispers sounded over the room. What did this mean?

One second, class, Dr. Clifford said. Everyone, please focus on your work. She hurried over to her desk, and Clara chased after her, starting to feel anxiety rise inside her.

Dr. Clifford, I don't understand, Clara said. What's the issue?

Dr. Clifford leaned over the laptop on her desk. I'm checking the system to see if this body has been registered, and maybe I somehow missed it.

Clara bit her lip, unsure what to say. Somehow, she felt like she'd done something wrong. Was she not supposed to examine this body?

Come on, Dr. Clifford said. Where is it? I know I'm not mistaken. I've been through the system several times.

Maybe it's an error? Clara offered.

No... Dr. Clifford looked up, meeting Clara's eyes, which made her stomach fall. Clara, that cadaver is not in the system, and I... I don't know who put it there.

Clara and Dr. Clifford hurried back over to the body. Everyone was looking but kept a distance. Dr. Clifford ran up to the body and looked closer. Clara's heart pounded as she watched Dr. Clifford roam the body, unsure what she was looking for.

But when Dr. Clifford flipped the body, it became clear to anyone with eyes.

On the back of the pale cadaver was a distinct stab wound. He had been pierced through his back, stabbed through his heart from behind.

This was no mere cadaver.

This person had been murdered.

CHAPTER ONE

Special Agent Taylor Sage with the FBI scoured through the forest, right at the crack of dawn--there was a cool chill in the autumn air, and a thin layer of frost coating the trees around her as they shed their dying leaves. The sun had barely risen, and morning fog shrouded the forest, impeding her visibility, but she had to push on.

This forest was right near the hospital--the one her sister, Angie, had escaped from.

It had only been one day since Angie had escaped the psychiatric ward, not long after vowing she would kill Taylor. She'd escaped, right under the doctors' and nurses' noses, cleverly convincing them she was getting better mentally--when in reality, she was getting worse.

Being kidnapped and held by a madman for most of one's life would do that, Taylor figured. Twenty years Angie had been kept by that man in that house, and although Taylor had managed to find her in the end, the damage from all those years of trauma wouldn't just go away.

Taylor knew that.

But now Angie was somewhere out here. No one had seen her yet--an APB had been sent out, police were searching the streets of Baltimore, but there had been so signs of Angie Sage anywhere.

Taylor suspected her sister had fled on foot. She had no money, and she was in a hospital gown. It was dangerous for her to be out like this, and Taylor had to keep searching.

The sun rose a little higher in the sky, and Taylor's breath sent clouds of vapor into the cold morning air.

Icy wind nipped at her cheeks, and she pulled her coat tighter around herself to ward off the cold.

Her boots crunched the frosty grass on the forest floor, and she walked warily, keeping her eyes on the ground.

It was early, but she figured she would get lucky and find Angie's footprints soon--maybe she'd even come upon her sister.

She just didn't want to find her sister the same way she had found her in that cabin only weeks ago--traumatized, chained up, detached from reality.

She couldn't bear to see her sister that way again.

I know you're out there somewhere, Angie, Taylor muttered to herself. Her heart was beating fast in her chest, and her breath emerged as white puffs of fog. I know you are.

Something rustled in the bushes to her left, and Taylor whipped her head to the side.

Her eyes widened, and she reached for her gun. The crunching continued. Heart pounding, Taylor inched toward the sound.

A rabbit darted out into the clearing, and she sighed in relief.

Idiot, she muttered to herself. She had forgotten where she was. Here, in these woods, she was not safe.

But so far, the only thing she'd seen was the rabbit. There were no other sounds except her own footsteps, and no other signs of life. No birds singing. No other animals were out and about--not even squirrels.

The forest was quiet. Too quiet.

Taylor shuddered, rubbing her bare arms. She had no evidence Angie had come this way, but she also knew she couldn't have gotten far on foot, and they'd already scoured the streets. It was entirely possible Angie had slipped into the forest to hide, but the more Taylor searched, the less convinced she became.

Maybe this was a waste of time, and she was searching in the wrong place again...

It pained her, but in moments of total anguish and loss like this, Taylor still defaulted to wanting to visit the tarot reader, Miriam Belasco. Miriam had made it clear that she didn't want to do readings for Taylor anymore. The readings Taylor had been receiving from her over the last several cases of her career--and personal life--had put strain on Miriam's life, even putting her in danger at one time, when a man Taylor had put in prison had gotten out and sought to make Taylor pay. He'd stalked her, which had led to Miriam, and the woman had nearly lost her life because of it.

Miriam did say she would be willing to teach Taylor tarot herself, but... it just wasn't the same. There was something mystical and wise about Miriam and it was undeniable. Taylor didn't have that same gift.

Miriam was the only reason Taylor had been able to find Angie in the first place. It was one of her readings that had finally put Taylor on the right track to find her sister.