Don’t Tell (A Taylor Sage FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 6)

By Molly Black

Taylor’s new case takes a startlingly personal turn as she realizes the killer knows all about her personal life—and is mirroring his murders to target her. As the crime scenes inch uncomfortably close to him, Taylor must wonder—will she herself be the next victim?


“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 TELL is book #6 of a brand-new series by critically acclaimed and #1 bestselling mystery and suspense author Molly Black.



When even her tarot reader gets stumped, Taylor knows she is in uncharted waters. Her job, and possibly her life, are on the line. All she needs to do is get inside the killer’s head—before he can get inside hers.



But what if she’s too late?



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: Oct 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781094394749

Book preview

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D O N ’ T   TELL

(A Taylor Sage FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 6)

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 (and counting); of the RYLIE WOLF FBI suspense thriller series, comprising six books (and counting); of the TAYLOR SAGE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising eight books (and counting); and of the KATIE WINTER FBI suspense thriller series, comprising eleven 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 © 2022 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 isak55, 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)

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

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

EPILOGUE

PROLOGUE

Jenna tugged on Marcy's leash, prompting the little Bichon Frisé to stop sniffing the base of the tree and keep walking. They trotted forward in the park--only for Marcy to stop at yet another tree and bury her tiny nose in the grass below it.

Come on, Marcy, Jenna urged, annoyed.

It was early--too early to be out, and a cool, misty sensation hung in the dark air. Jenna hated being out alone when it was this dark, but Marcy had woken her up at four a.m. and wouldn't stop yipping until Jenna just gave in, got up, and took the dog out for a walk. She let out a sigh as she not-so-patiently waited for Marcy to pee on the patch of grass she'd found. When was Jenna going to stop letting this dog rule her life? She looked down at Marcy as she kicked her feet in the grass. The dog looked up at her with a big, happy smile, tongue flopping out, and Jenna melted. She knew she'd never stop giving Marcy what she wanted because she just couldn't resist her cuteness.

Marcy sniffed a little more. Jenna looked around, half expecting her parents to come out of the woods, scolding her for letting the dog go out this early in the morning. But the dog was doing her business, and Jenna didn't have to worry about it for a little while longer. She leaned against the dog-friendly tree trunk, watching the sky slowly light up in the east. The park was deserted at this time of day, and that meant that Jenna and Marcy had the whole space to themselves.

Wow, Jenna breathed as she looked up at the sky.

The stars were still bright, twinkling in blue-blackness. The air was cool and thick, like it had become liquid overnight. The scent of moist earth came from the ground, and Jenna knew it had rained the night before. The grass and the trees were dotted with dew. Everything around her was wet.

All right, come on, Jenna said, tugging on Marcy's leash.

Marcy happily trotted along next to her owner, a bit of a skip in her step. They continued through the winding path of the park toward home. Jenna needed to get back in bed and grab a few more hours of sleep before work in the morning.

But then, suddenly, Marcy stopped, staring at a tree with her ears perked up and head tilted to the side. Jenna looked down at Marcy and frowned. What's up, girl? she asked.

No response came, so Jenna continued walking. Marcy, however, was not moving. She continued staring at the tree, growling, as Jenna tugged on the leash. Jenna frowned. The last thing she wanted was to stand out in the cold for too long. It was late-October now, and the days were getting shorter and colder.

Come on, Marce, really? Jenna looked over at what her dog was looking and growling at. She was looking up, and Jenna followed her eyes up the trunk of the tree, up and up--until what she saw made her blood turn to ice.

Hanging from a tree branch above, tied by a rope, was a shape.

A distinctly human shape.

Jenna yelped and nearly fell back before terror froze her in place. She covered her mouth as Marcy started barking. Then, all at once, she felt like a compete idiot.

It was almost Halloween.

Someone must have left their stupid prop here as a prank.

Rolling her eyes, Jenna looked up at the swaying figure. Slowly, it rocked in the breeze. It definitely looked like a person whose foot was tied to a rope, hanging upside down in the tree. But it had to be a prop, right?

It had to be something someone had brought to the park just to scare people on Halloween. Jenna glanced around the path. Maybe it was a friend of a friend, someone messing with her for a laugh. Maybe she should just cut it down and...

The body looked like a real person. Jenna could make out black clothes, a black mask, and a realistic looking blood-red prop wound around the neck. And then Jenna's eyes traveled to the person's hands--which were tied together.

Suddenly, she felt sick. This was an awfully realistic gag. It could definitely scare somebody else, maybe even give an unsuspecting old person a heart attack. Jenna couldn't live with herself if something like that happened.

It was best if she just cut it down. It was probably made of straw anyway.

Jenna took a step closer to the tree, Marcy still barking at the hanging figure. The dog's barks echoed through the park, and Jenna shushed her. She didn't want anyone else to see this and think it was real. That would be even worse.

Jenna tried to reach for the knife she always kept in her pocket, but her hands were shaking too much. She dropped it twice before she finally managed to get a grip on it. Her heart was pounding as she reached up and sawed at the rope.

It was definitely straw. It had to be. There was no way this could be a real person...

It didn't look like one of those dummy Halloween prop mannequins. It looked real. There was no way it could be real. But if Jenna reached up, she could touch one of the dangling hands... just to be sure...

Jenna's heart was beating so fast she could almost hear it in her ears. But she had to know. She reached up, took one of the dangling hands, and gripped it.

It was definitely human. Jenna let go. There was no way this was a real person.

But the hand was cold.

It was cold, and it was definitely a real hand.

Jenna screamed so loud it echoed across the park. And she knew, for sure, that this was no prank.

CHAPTER ONE

The hospital hallway stretched long and narrow before Special Agent Taylor Sage. She stood there, frozen, as though she were in a dream--but this was reality. She had to keep moving. But she found herself stuck in place, not wanting to take another step down that hallway, despite the numerous nurses, patients, and visitors passing by her.

Her sister, Angie, was just down the hall, and Taylor could hardly stand the thought of seeing her again. Not after how it had been going.

The fact that Taylor had been able to find her sister alive after she was missing for two decades was a miracle in itself. But life could never be that simple, could it? No--upon Angie's physical recovery, the mental wounds had appeared.

Angie had Stockholm syndrome. She was in love with her captor--a man who had killed himself on the scene. And now, Angie blamed Taylor. Angie hated Taylor. And Taylor hadn't built up the nerve to see her again since the last time Angie had screamed at her.

That was a week ago.

And it had been another week of trying to explain to the police, therapists, and reporters just exactly what happened that day, how she'd been able to find Angie. She had promised them the full story--yet, she didn't know how to tell them. How could she? It was unexplainable; but the truth was, Taylor had used predictions from a tarot reader to track down the clues that had eventually led to Angie returning home. It was still unbelievable, even to her.

Ms. Sage?

Taylor turned to see one of the nurses, looking at Taylor with concern. The nurse was in a white lab coat; her name tag read 'Cynthia.' Her dark hair was tied back in a bun and her eyebrows were creased with worry.

Are you okay? she asked.

I'm fine, Taylor replied. Sorry--I was just lost in thought.

I understand, the nurse said. Were you here to check up on Angie?

Yes, Taylor replied. Taylor had been in contact with the hospital staff--but she hadn't been to see Angie in the last week. Nerves twisted inside her as she asked, How is she?

She's doing better, the nurse replied. We're starting her on some new therapy. But you should know--

What? Taylor asked.

You should know, the nurse replied, that your sister has been asking for you.

Really? Taylor asked, her voice quivering. She didn't know if she wanted to see her sister--but if Angie wanted to see her, if she was asking to see Taylor...

Go on down, the nurse said. You know where her room is.

In a daze, Taylor headed down the hallway. Her heart pounded in her chest as she walked. Was it too risky to hope? Last time Taylor had seen Angie, Angie had hated her. But if she was asking for her, then maybe there was some hope that Angie had returned to her old self.

That was all Taylor had always wanted. Just to have her sister back. As she was before.

The door was cracked open. She was in there. Taylor's stomach twisted.

Angie was on the bed, sitting up, staring out the window. She was pale, thin--but she was alive. Alive and awake.

Angie? Taylor asked, standing in the doorway.

Angie's head turned. Her gray eyes--nearly identical in color as sister's--met Taylor's. Those eyes were weary, but they were also deadly serious. Angie's black hair hung in curtains around her pale, gaunt face.

Leave, Angie said.

I-I just wanted to-- Taylor stammered.

I said leave, Angie repeated. I don't want you here.

She was being cold, but this was the calmest Taylor had heard Angie speak since she returned, and that gave her hope. As much as it all hurt. Taylor hesitantly stepped closer to the bed.

Angie, I--

Don't, Angie said, her eyes narrowing. Just... don't.

Taylor hesitated. She wanted to say something--but what? Her eyes wandered over to the window, where she saw a book beside the chair, its cover facing away from her view. The title was too small for her to read from here, but it looked like a romance.

Have you been reading? Taylor asked, feeling hope again. When they were teenagers, Angie had loved romance novels. Angie just looked away coldly and didn't respond, making Taylor's heart hurt even more.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Taylor whipped her head around to see a young nurse, a different one from before, carrying a tray of hospital food: pudding, a juice box, and an egg salad sandwich. She was young and perky, wearing an off-white nurse's outfit with a pink t-shirt under the dress-like shirt. Her red hair was pulled back in a ponytail.

Oh, I'm sorry, was I interrupting? the nurse asked timidly.

Taylor smiled. Not at all. Is that Angie's lunch?

Yes, the nurse replied. I figured she was awake. 

Angie simply stared out the window.

Food is always good, Taylor said.

I'll just leave it here, the nurse said. She walked over to the bed and went to set the tray down on the end table.

Angie's head snapped over, a sudden rage on her face. Taylor's stomach fell as she watched, almost in slow motion, as her sister reached over and slapped the tray from the nurse's hand.

Taylor gasped.

Don't you fucking come near me, Angie hissed, glaring at the nurse.

The nurse stumbled back, wide-eyed.

I'm sorry, she stammered. I was just--

Get the hell out of here, Angie hissed.

Angie-- Taylor said, stepping forward, but it was too late.

Angie lunged out of the bed, her arms outstretched toward the nurse. The nurse froze in place as Angie charged her, ready to attack--and Taylor's instincts kicked in. It didn't matter if this was her sister. She couldn't let her hurt this innocent girl.

Taylor moved forward and seized Angie's arms, holding them back.

Angie struggled, trying to jerk her wrists free. 

You bitch! she shrieked. Let me go!

Angie, Taylor said, struggling against her, calm down! It's okay! Everything is going to be okay.

The nurse stepped back, eyes