Still Mad (A Lily Dawn FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 5)

By Ava Strong

FBI BAU Special Agent Lily Dawn, half Dutch, half Hispanic, raised in the Caribbean, knows the isles like the back of her hand. When a surge in serial killers in the region prods the FBI to assemble a task force, Lily is the natural choice. But Lily is reluctant to face the demons of her past, including her missing sister, and when a serial killer strikes in the midst of a hurricane, it may only be Lily who can stop him in time.

“The plot has many twists and turns, but it is the ending, which I did not see coming at all, that totally defines this book as one of the most riveting that I have read in years.”
—Reader review for Not Like Us

STILL MAD is book #5 in a long-anticipated new series by #1 bestseller Ava Strong, whose bestseller NOT LIKE US (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star ratings and reviews.

A complex psychological crime thriller full of twists and turns and packed with heart-pounding suspense, the LILY DAWN mystery series will make you fall in love with a brilliant new female protagonist and keep you turning pages late into the night.

Future books in the series will be available soon.

“This is a chilling, suspenseful page turner that just might leave you scared at night!”
—Reader review for Not Like Us

“Very intriguing, kept me turning page after page… Lots of twists and turns and a very unexpected ending. Cannot wait for the next in this series!”
—Reader review for Not Like Us

“A roller coaster ride of events… Can’t put down until you finish it!”
—Reader review for Not Like Us

“Excellent read with very realistic characters that you become emotionally invested in… Couldn't put it down!”
—Reader review for The Death Code

“An excellent read, lots of twists and turns, with a surprising ending, leaving you wanting to read the next book in the series! Well done!”
—Reader review for The Death Code

“Well worth the read. Cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!”
—Reader review for The Death Code

“Quickly became a story I couldn’t put down! I highly recommend this book!”
—Reader review for His Other Wife

“I really enjoyed the fast-paced action, plot design and characterization... I didn't want to put the book down and the ending was a total surprise.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife

“The characters are extremely well developed… There are twists and turns in the plot that kept me guessing. An extremely well written story.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife

“One of the best books I have ever read… The ending was perfect and surprising. Ava Strong is an amazing writer.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife

“Holy cow, what a rollercoaster… Many times I absolutely KNEW who the killer was—only to be proven wrong each time. I was completely surprised by the ending. I have to say, I am thrilled that this is the first in a series. My only complaint is that the next one isn't out yet. I need it!”
—Reader review for His Other Wife

“An incredible, intense, spellbinding, enjoyable story. It will keep you captivated until the end.”
—Reader review for His Other Wife

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ava Strong
• Release date: May 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781094377933

Book preview

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s t i l l   m a d

(a lily dawn fbi suspense thriller—book 5)

a v a   s t r o n g

Ava Strong

Ava Strong is author of the REMI LAURENT mystery series, comprising six books (and counting); of the ILSE BECK mystery series, comprising seven books (and counting); of the STELLA FALL psychological suspense thriller series, comprising six books (and counting); of the DAKOTA STEELE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising six books (and counting); of the LILY DAWN suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting); and the MEGAN YORK FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting).

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

Copyright © 2023 by Ava Strong. 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 Willyam Bradberry, used under license from Shutterstock.com.

BOOKS BY AVA STRONG

MEGAN YORK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

YOU’LL BE SORRY (Book #1)

YOU’LL BE NEXT (Book #2)

YOU’LL BE MINE (Book #3)

YOU’LL BE FIRST (Book #4)

YOU’LL BE GONE (Book #5)

LILY DAWN FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

STILL ALIVE (Book #1)

STILL HOPE (Book #2)

STILL AWAKE (Book #3)

STILL HERE (Book #4)

STILL MAD (Book #5)

REMI LAURENT FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

THE DEATH CODE (Book #1)

THE MURDER CODE (Book #2)

THE MALICE CODE (Book #3)

THE VENGEANCE CODE (Book #4)

THE DECEPTION CODE (Book #5)

THE SEDUCTION CODE (Book #6)

ILSE BECK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

NOT LIKE US (Book #1)

NOT LIKE HE SEEMED (Book #2)

NOT LIKE YESTERDAY (Book #3)

NOT LIKE THIS (Book #4)

NOT LIKE SHE THOUGHT (Book #5)

NOT LIKE BEFORE (Book #6)

NOT LIKE NORMAL (Book #7)

STELLA FALL PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE THRILLER

HIS OTHER WIFE (Book #1)

HIS OTHER LIE (Book #2)

HIS OTHER SECRET (Book #3)

HIS OTHER MISTRESS (Book #4)

HIS OTHER LIFE (Book #5)

HIS OTHER TRUTH (Book #6)

DAKOTA STEELE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

WITHOUT MERCY (Book #1)

WITHOUT REMORSE (Book #2)

WITHOUT A PAST (Book #3)

WITHOUT PITY (Book #4)

WITHOUT HOPE (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

EPILOGUE

PROLOGUE

Anita used every bit of strength to tie the bowline around the post, but the violent wind fought against her small arms. The sky growled as a vicious storm raged on, and rain pounded the sea and the dock. She'd been boating when the sky turned dark, and like a camera flash, the lightning and rain had begun, and now the trees on the island were practically sideways as she tried to tether her boat. She was grateful she'd made it back to shore—but tying the boat down seemed impossible, and with every bellow of thunder, fear grew in her.

Anita fought against the wind, her skin stinging as the rain pelted her body. She gritted her teeth and strained to make the knot tighter, but it seemed like every time she managed to pull one line taut, another was coming undone. The waves were crashing into the dock, making it difficult for Anita to keep her balance. Her arms ached from straining against the rope, and despite her efforts, she couldn't seem to get a good grip on it.

Just as she thought she had finally finished tying up the boat, a gust of wind blew through and caused all her hard work to unravel again. She wanted to scream in frustration but couldn't find enough breath between gasps as she tried again and again. The thunder grew louder, shaking Anita's bones with its intensity. Lightning lit up the sky in an eerie white light that made everything look even more menacing than before.

The storm seemed relentless in its assault on the island, and Anita could feel herself start to panic as she struggled against the elements. 

Anita was determined to get the boat secured, so she held on tight and pulled with all her might. She felt her feet slipping on the wet wood of the dock, and the line threatened to slip from her hands with every gust of wind. The waves were crashing against the shore now, as if they were trying to push away the few other boats that occupied the small harbor with her. Anita could feel her muscles straining as she tried to keep a hold on both the post and rope. As she looked up at the sky, she saw lightning streaking across it like bright white veins, followed by a thunderous roar that shook even the dock beneath her feet.

She had to give it her all.

This boat had been passed down to her by her late father, and she couldn't let it get lost at sea. She had to keep trying. Her father had taught her how to sail as a little girl, and now that she was in her twenties, she was determined to become as strong of a sailor as he was, even if he wasn't there to witness it.

With one final effort, Anita managed to secure the bowline around the post just as a particularly strong gust of wind blew past her. She stood there panting for a moment before finally sinking down onto the dock in relief, rain pelting her like bullets. Her chest heaved, and more wind howled past her.

She couldn't stay here.

She had to find shelter.

Anita stood, ready to run through the storm and seek refuge somewhere—anywhere—but when she stood, she saw she wasn't alone. The island had been deserted, but now a lone man stood at the end of the dock, blocking her from entering the beach. He wore all black clothing and a plain white mask that covered his whole face, leaving only a gap for dark eyes and a mouth.

Fear crawled up Anita's spine. H-hello? she called out.

She looked behind her, but only the turbulent sea waited. The waves were getting higher, more destructive, and she couldn't get back on the boat now.

Maybe he just needs help, Anita reasoned.

But the man didn't move. Only stared.

Are you lost? Anita shouted over the storm. It's not safe out here—you need to find shelter!

The man stepped towards Anita, and she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She was frozen with fear as he slowly approached, a silent figure in the midst of chaos. The rain and wind seemed to grow even more intense, but the man kept walking until he was only a few feet away from Anita.

As the lightning flashed again, his eyes locked with hers, and she could see something strange in them—something almost like understanding. He reached out his hand towards her, and for a moment, it felt like time had stopped.

But then, before she could say a word, the man lunged at her. Anita's heart was pounding so loudly that she could barely hear the howling of the storm around her. The man had lunged at her with such force that she fell backward onto the dock, her head hitting the wet wood with a sickening thud.

She groaned and tried to push herself up, but the man was too quick for her. He pinned her down with his strong hands, the white mask obscuring his face completely. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin as he leaned in closer, and fear raced through her veins.

Who are you? Anita gasped out, struggling against his grip.

The man didn't answer but instead tightened his hold on her wrists. Anita could feel his strength, and she knew that she was no match for him.

What do you want? she tried again, hoping to reason with him.

But he only tightened his hold, a low growl escaping his throat. Anita could see the madness in his eyes, the way they gleamed with a feral hunger that seemed to consume him. She knew then that she was in real trouble, that this man wasn't just some lost soul caught in the storm. He was something far more dangerous.

Then he lifted the knife.

Anita screamed, but her cries for help were swallowed by the storm.

CHAPTER ONE

Agent Lily Dawn of the FBI had been waiting too long for this moment.

As she sat on the beachside patio, she nervously twitched. Over here in Miami, the weather was warm, but a cold front was moving in, and from her spot on the beach, Lily could see the dark clouds that moved over the sky in the direction of the Bahamas. They were due for another large storm, but with August ending and September starting, they were getting into storm season. Apparently, the Bahamas had been hit hard last night, and Lily suspected there was more coming.

But here, at this restaurant in Miami, Lily had her own storm to worry about.

The smell of fried fish mingled with onions cooking in the air.

Suddenly, a server approached Lily's table. Can I get you anything else, ma'am? the server asked politely.

Lily shook her head, still holding onto the coffee she'd ordered. No, thank you. Not yet. I'm waiting for someone.

The server nodded.

Lily looked around, trying to keep herself busy while she waited. The restaurant was bustling with activity; people were talking and laughing, and the clinking of glasses and the sizzle of food being cooked filled the air.

The anticipation was killing her. Not long ago, Lily had been on her home island of Aruba with her partner, Agent Xander Jackson, when she'd received a phone call.

Hello? she said into the phone.

But she was met with only silence.

An eerie feeling crawled up Lily's spine. Xander shot her a confused look.

Hello? she said again.

More silence, until finally ...

An old, croaking voice said, You wanted to talk?

Now, days later, Lily sat in Miami, waiting for the very person who'd called her to arrive. Lily was surprised to learn that the old woman had relocated from Aruba to the US, but after some negotiation, Lily had convinced her to meet with her.

The old woman in question was an alleged witch who had lived alone on an island in Aruba. She also happened to be one of the people Lily's sister, Kara, had met with before she mysteriously disappeared in Aruba ten years ago.

Lily had been surprised to learn that her sister had been dabbling in the occult and witchcraft; she'd found a multitude of old books in Kara's room in Aruba and had even met with Kara's former friends, Astrid and Vivian, to learn more. They'd confirmed it. On top of that, they'd confirmed that Kara's other friend, Ana, had been found dead on the shores of Aruba a few years after Kara disappeared—when Lily had already left Aruba.

It was a lot to take in, but the girls had revealed the witch's location to Lily, and she'd gone looking. She'd found nothing but an old, empty cabin and had left her number.

Lily was unsure how the old woman had stumbled upon her number if she'd moved to the US, but that was part of Lily's line of questioning.

She had to get answers. On everything, but especially on Kara.

If the old woman could provide any insight into Kara's disappearance, then it would be more than Lily ever had. The Aruban police had declared Kara dead, although a body had never been found. Lily still held onto hope that one day, her sister would be found. One way or another.

Suddenly, Lily noticed a strange figure walking towards her table. It was an old woman, wearing a long, flowing black dress and a hood that covered her face. The scent of jasmine filled the air as she walked closer.

Lily stood up from her seat in surprise; this had to be the witch she'd been waiting for. The old woman stopped in front of her and pulled back her hood, revealing a wrinkled face with bright blue eyes. She was Caucasian, not an Aruban native, which surprised Lily, as the woman had been living on a remote island off the coast of Aruba that generally only housed natives.

Hello, the old woman said softly, you must be Agent Dawn.

Lily nodded slowly, still in shock at seeing the mysterious figure before her. I am. And you are ...?

You can call me Penelope. The old woman smiled warmly and gestured for Lily to sit down again. She then sat down across from Lily, looking around at the restaurant curiously before turning back to look at Lily with an unreadable expression. So, the old woman said after a moment's pause, you wanted to talk?

Yes, Lily said. I mentioned to you on the phone that I believe you met with my sister, Kara.

I may have, the woman said. I used to receive many visitors on the island.

Speaking of which, how did you find my number if you live here now?

An old friend of mine called me and informed me someone had bene looking for me. On a hunch, I asked him to visit my old home, and that is where he found the note.

Lily nodded, remembering her trip to the island. She had spoken to a bookstore owner and asked about the woman, but he'd been cagey. He must have been the friend.

I see, Lily said. "Well, do you remember my