Beyond Hope (A Reese Link Mystery—Book Six)

By Molly Black

Maine State Police need small-town police officer Reese Link to help decode a killer’s mysterious M.O. when victims of a new killer are found floating in lakes deep in the state forest. But Reese, haunted by the demons of her past, may just find that she is the one in a killer’s sights….

“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
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BEYOND HOPE is book #6 in a long anticipated 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.

Reese Link is determined to do right by her deceased older brother, to fill his shoes in the local police department, and to avenge his murder. She also wants to make her father, a local lobsterman, proud. But the local force is male dominated, close-knit, and Reese soon learns that being accepted won’t be so easy.

Small town life on a harbor in Maine can be rough. Winters can be cruel and stretch forever, while the working class who inhabit the harbor suffer no fools. Reese knows this town like the back of her hand—but when she teams up with a State police officer, she quickly realizes she’ll have to branch out to other areas, way out of her comfort zone. She will have to learn quickly about all regions of Maine, as she hunts deadly killers wherever they may take her.

All along, she must fight her own demons, shake off the heaviness of her childhood, the depression of this town, and ask herself: is she good enough?

A harrowing crime thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured small-town police officer, the Reese Link 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 the series are also available!

“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
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“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
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“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
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“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
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“Wow, I cannot wait for the next in this series. Starts with a bang and just keeps going.”
—Reader review for Girl One: Murder
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“Well written book with a great plot, one that will keep you up at night. A page turner!”
—Reader review for Girl One: Murder
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“A great suspense that keeps you reading… can't wait for the next in this series!”
—Reader review for Found You
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“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
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• Language: English
• Publisher: Molly Black
• Release date: Sep 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781094378961

Book preview

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B E Y O N D   H O P E

(A Reese Link Mystery—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; of the TAYLOR SAGE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising eight books; of the KATIE WINTER FBI suspense thriller series, comprising eleven books (and counting); of the RUBY HUNTER FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting); of the CAITLIN DARE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising six books (and counting); of the REESE LINK mystery series, comprising six books (and counting); and of the CLAIRE KING 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 Christer Muntean used under license from Shutterstock.com.

BOOKS BY MOLLY BLACK

CAITLIN DARE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

COME GET ME (Book #1)

COME FIND ME (Book #2)

COME TAKE ME (Book #3)

COME CATCH ME (Book #4)

COME SAVE ME (Book #5)

COME STOP ME (Book #6)

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)

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)

CAITLIN DARE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

COME GET ME (Book #1)

COME FIND ME (Book #2)

COME TAKE ME (Book #3)

COME CATCH ME (Book #4)

COME SAVE ME (Book #5)

REESE LINK MYSTERY

BEYOND REASON (Book #1)

BEYOND REACH (Book #2)

BEYOND REPAIR (Book #3)

BEYOND DOUBT (Book #4)

BEYOND NORMAL (Book #5)

BEYOND HOPE (Book #6)

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

EPILOGUE

PROLOGUE

Cold water splashed onto Emily's face, rousing her from a deep, disorienting slumber. She shivered involuntarily, her body's instinctive reaction to the sudden chill. The frigid liquid seeped into every crevice of her being, awakening her senses in the most brutal manner imaginable.

Wha— she began, voice barely recognizable even to herself. Her throat felt raw and parched like she had been screaming for hours on end.

Her wet clothes clung to her skin like a second layer, heavy and uncomfortable. As she tried to move, the damp fabric chafed against her skin, making it difficult to focus on anything else. Goosebumps prickled along her arms, a testament to the cold that seemed to have infiltrated her very core. The sensation was so intense that she could not fight back a whimper of discomfort.

Where am I? she thought, struggling to piece together her surroundings and make sense of the situation she found herself in. She heard a rushing sound and glimpsed shapes moving past, but it was all so disorienting. The only thing she knew for certain was that she was cold—bone-chillingly, soul-piercingly cold.

Help, she whispered, or rather, attempted to whisper. The sound came out as a raspy, strangled cry, barely audible above the rush of water around her. Frustration bubbled up within her, threatening to spill over into outright panic as she realized just how helpless she was in her current state.

Get a hold of yourself, she told herself sternly, trying to keep the fear at bay. You need to figure this out.

Summoning all her strength, she willed her trembling limbs to still, focusing on each part of her body in turn. Though her muscles protested with each movement, she managed to gain some semblance of control over her shivering form.

Okay, she breathed, steeling herself for what was to come. Let's try this again.

As her senses sharpened, Emily became cognizant of the water around her. It lapped at her sides, icy tendrils seeping into the fabric of her clothes. The realization hit her like a slap to the face: She was floating on a river in the darkness.

Wh-what? she stuttered, her voice barely carrying above the relentless flow of water. How did I get here?

Her heart hammered in her chest as she attempted to sit up, only to feel a jolt of panic ripple through her. Ropes bound her to a large log, preventing any possibility of movement beyond a strained wriggle.

Let me go! Help! she cried out, but her pleas were swallowed by the merciless current, lost amidst its unending song.

A wave of desperation surged within her, and she strained against the ropes, her muscles quivering with effort. Her hands felt numb and clumsy, but she continued to tug at her restraints, driven by an instinctive need for survival.

Think, think, she muttered to herself, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps. There must be some way out of this.

Her mind raced, frantically searching for any memory that might provide a clue to her situation. But her thoughts were a whirlwind of disjointed images and half-formed ideas, offering no solace or answers.

Who did this to me? Why? she wondered, tears of frustration and fear welling in her eyes. I have to get out of here.

As the river carried her along its winding path, she fought to keep her head above water, all the while battling the rising tide of terror that threatened to consume her. But with each passing moment, the hope that had once burned brightly within her began to flicker and fade.

Please, she whispered, her voice hoarse and broken. Someone...anyone...help me.

She turned her attention to the trees and rocks lining the riverbank, the scenery dimly visible in the gray moonlight. The trees' gnarled branches reached out like twisted fingers as if beckoning her to join them on the rocky shore. The rocks themselves appeared jagged and menacing, offering no safe haven from the treacherous current that threatened to pull her under.

Come on, Emily, she whispered to herself, trying to recollect fragments of her past—and so, perhaps, to figure out how she'd gotten here. The last coherent memory she held was of walking down a dimly lit street, a slight chill in the air. A faint echo of laughter rang in her ears, but whether it belonged to a friend or foe, she couldn't be certain.

Who did this to me? Why? Emily muttered, her voice barely audible above the roar of the river. Chilling water splashed her face, snapping her back into the present moment.

Focus, Emily. Focus! she urged herself, gritting her teeth against the pain that radiated from her bound wrists.

Her eyes scanned the riverbanks again, searching for anything that might provide a means of escape. With each passing second, she felt her hope waning, fading from view like a ring dropped in murky water.

There had to be somewhere nearby, didn't there? If she kept calling, surely someone would hear her.

Help! she cried, her voice hoarse and desperate. But the sound of the rushing water drowned her cries, stealing them away like a thief in the night. The frigid water sent chills down her spine, each splash against her face a cruel reminder of her precarious situation.

Her heart pounded in her chest, the rhythm matching the rapid current that dragged her further downstream. Is this how it ends? she thought, panic bubbling up from the depths of her soul. Bound to a log, floating helplessly to my doom?

As the relentless current carried her closer to an unknown fate, she couldn't help but feel her resolve beginning to crumble. She had always been resourceful, quick on her feet, but now she felt as if her body and mind were betraying her. Every muscle screamed in protest; every nerve seemed to be on edge.

Think, damn it! she urged herself, clenching her fists around the wet ropes that bound her wrists. You've gotten yourself out of worse situations before!

But despite her internal pep talk, Emily couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom that settled over her like a suffocating shroud. The river seemed to grow darker, more menacing with each passing moment, a malevolent force intent on her destruction.

As she continued to float downstream, her desperate pleas unanswered, Emily couldn't help but wonder if anyone would even know she was gone. Would her disappearance be just another mystery in a world filled with secrets and lies?

Help me, she thought, the silent prayer echoing through her mind like a mournful refrain. Please, someone help me.

She was distracted from her thoughts by the thunderous roar of a waterfall. Her heart clenched with fear, and she began to tremble uncontrollably. She strained her eyes, peering through the mist that hung above the water's surface like a ghostly veil, and finally caught sight of the raging cascade just ahead.

Dear God, no, she whimpered, her voice barely audible over the deafening torrent. Please, not this.

Terror gripped her chest like a vise, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps as she struggled against the ropes binding her to the log. She could feel the relentless pull of the current dragging her closer and closer to the edge, her fate seemingly sealed by the cruel whims of fate.

Help! she screamed again, the word torn from her throat as if it were a physical thing. Someone, please help me!

Her voice was lost amid the tumultuous roar of the waterfall, swallowed whole by the furious maelstrom before her. And yet she continued to scream, her cries growing more frantic and desperate with each passing second.

Please, anyone! I don't want to die!

But even as she clung to the tattered remnants of hope, Emily knew that the odds of rescue were slim at best. Who would hear her over the pounding of the water? And even if they did, would they be able to reach her in time?

Damn it all! she cursed, the words bitter on her lips. I can't give up now. There has to be something I can do.

As the log bucked and swayed beneath her, Emily felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins, igniting a fire within her soul. With renewed determination, she began to kick out with her legs, desperately trying to propel herself away from the approaching precipice. Maybe if she could push herself toward the shoreline, the log would get tangled in the brush or strike a sandbar.

Come on! she shouted, her voice hoarse and ragged from her previous screams. Swim, damn it! Fight!

But despite her valiant efforts, the current proved too strong to overcome. The log continued its relentless journey toward the waterfall, the sound of crashing water growing ever louder in Emily's ears.

Help me! she screamed one last time as the edge loomed before her, her heart pounding with raw terror and her eyes wide with disbelief.

And then, with a sickening lurch, Emily was airborne. The log tipped over the edge of the waterfall, and she felt her stomach drop as gravity claimed her. Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

The wind whipped past her ears, stinging her cheeks and causing her wet hair to stream out behind her like a dark flag. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the inevitable impact.

Fight! she told herself, her thoughts a distant echo in her own head. Don't give up now!

Then the water struck her, sucking her into its cold embrace. She struggled, screaming and fighting, willing her body to break free from its restraints.

But the only part of her that managed to escape was the cloud of air bubbles cascading upward while she continued ever downward.

Downward into darkness.

CHAPTER ONE

Officer Reese Link gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white. She could still feel the weight of her brother's police badge in her pocket, a constant reminder of the void that his murder had left in her life.

I'll avenge you, Bass, she promised silently. I swear I will.

Mason Wagner, a notorious contract killer, had shot Bass in a drive-by shooting outside a bar. Now, after escaping the hospital where he'd been in custody recovering from a gunshot wound, Wagner was on the run—with Reese on his heels.

If she lost him now, she might not get another chance.

The high-speed chase cut through the city streets like a knife through flesh, twisting and turning with every corner. Sirens wailed in the night as the two vehicles sped through traffic, narrowly avoiding collisions. Reese's pulse quickened, the adrenaline coursing through her veins fueling her determination to catch Wagner.

Come on, you bastard, she muttered under her breath, her eyes locked onto the taillights of Wagner's car. The evening traffic was growing denser, and pedestrians darted out of