Gone Dark (A Becca Thorn FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 2)

By Rylie Dark

FBI Agent Becca Thorn faces a chilling case when victims start dying from radiation poisoning, their personal belongings turned into deadly weapons. The stakes rise with each murder, pushing Becca to her limits as she races against time to catch the killer before they strike again.

“A brilliant book. I couldn’t put it down and I never guessed who the murderer was!”
—Reader review for Only Murder
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GONE DARK is book #2 in a new series by #1 bestselling and critically acclaimed mystery and suspense author Rylie Dark, whose books have received over 2,000 five-star reviews and ratings. The series begins with GONE COLD (book #1).

A page-turning and harrowing psychological thriller featuring a brilliant and tortured female protagonist, Becca Thorn is a riveting mystery series, 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 Karin Slaughter, Teresa Driscoll, and Robert Dugoni are sure to fall in love.

Future books in the series are also available.

“I loved this thriller, read it in one sitting. Lots of twists and turns and I didn’t guess the
culprit at all… Already pre-ordered the second!”
—Reader review for Only Murder
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“This book takes off with a bang… An excellent read, and I'm looking forward to the next book!”
—Reader review for SEE HER RUN
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“Fantastic book! It was hard to put down. I can’t wait to see what happens next!”
—Reader review for SEE HER RUN
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“The twists and turns kept coming. Can't wait to read the next book!”
—Reader review for SEE HER RUN
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A must-read if you enjoy action-packed stories with good plots!”
—Reader review for SEE HER RUN
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“I really like this author and this series starts with a bang. It will keep you turning the pages till the end of the book and wanting more.”
—Reader review for SEE HER RUN
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“I can't say enough about this author! How about ‘out of this world’! This author is going to go far!”
—Reader review for ONLY MURDER
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“I really enjoyed this book… The characters were alive, and the twists and turns were great. It will keep you reading till the end and leave you wanting more.”
—Reader review for NO WAY OUT
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“This is an author that I highly recommend. Her books will have you begging for more.”
—Reader review for NO WAY OUT
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• Language: English
• Publisher: Rylie Dark
• Release date: Apr 4, 2024
• ISBN: 9781094396378

Book preview

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G O N E

D A R K

(A Becca Thorn FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 2)

R y l i e   D a r k

Rylie Dark

Bestselling author Rylie Dark is author of the SADIE PRICE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books; of the CARLY SEE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books; of the MIA NORTH FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the MORGAN STARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books; of the HAILEY ROCK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the TARA STRONG MYSTERY series, comprising six books; of the ALEX QUINN FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books; of the MAEVE SHARP FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER, comprising five books (and counting); of the KELLY CRUZ MYSTERY series, comprising five books (and counting); of the JESSIE REACH MYSTERY series, comprising five books (and counting); and of the BECCA THORN MYSTERY series, comprising five books (and counting).

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

Copyright © 2024 by Rylie Dark. 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.

BOOKS BY RYLIE DARK

BECCA THORN MYSTERY

GONE COLD (Book #1)

GONE DARK (Book #2)

GONE SILENT (Book #3)

GONE HOLLOW (Book #4)

GONE FOREVER (Book #5)

JESSIE REACH MYSTERY

HIS OTHER SIDE (Book #1)

HIS OTHER SELF (Book #2)

HIS OTHER SECRET (Book #3)

HIS OTHER WISH (Book #4)

HIS OTHER PLAN (Book #5)

KELLY CRUZ MYSTERY

WHERE YOU GO (Book #1)

WHERE YOU HIDE (Book #2)

WHERE YOU SLEEP (Book #3)

WHERE YOU RUN (Book #4)

WHERE YOU FEAR (Book #5)

MAEVE SHARP FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

WITH MALICE (Book #1)

WITH ENVY (Book #2)

WITH VENGEANCE (Book #3)

WITH RAGE (Book #4)

WITH YOU (Book #5)

ALEX QUINN SUSPENSE THRILLER

FIRST, MURDER (Book #1)

SECOND, DEATH (Book #2)

THIRD, ENVY (Book #3)

FOURTH, LUST (Book #4)

FIFTH, WRATH (Book #5)

TARA STRONG MYSTERY

GIRL WITHOUT A CHANCE (Book #1)

GIRL WITHOUT A HOME (Book #2)

GIRL WITHOUT A TRACE (Book #3)

GIRL WITHOUT A NAME (Book #4)

GIRL WITHOUT A PRAYER (Book #5)

GIRL WITHOUT A PAST (Book #6)

HAILEY ROCK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

BEHIND YOU (Book #1)

BESIDE YOU (Book #2)

AFTER YOU (Book #3)

WATCHING YOU (Book #4)

JUDGING YOU (Book #5)

FOLLOWING YOU (Book #6)

SADIE PRICE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

ONLY MURDER (Book #1)

ONLY RAGE (Book #2)

ONLY HIS (Book #3)

ONLY ONCE (Book #4)

ONLY SPITE (Book #5)

ONLY MADNESS (Book #6)

MIA NORTH FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

SEE HER RUN (Book #1)

SEE HER HIDE (Book #2)

SEE HER SCREAM (Book #3)

SEE HER VANISH (Book #4)

SEE HER GONE (Book #5)

SEE HER DEAD (Book #6)

CARLY SEE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

NO WAY OUT (Book #1)

NO WAY BACK (Book #2)

NO WAY HOME (Book #3)

NO WAY LEFT (Book #4)

NO WAY UP (Book #5)

NO WAY TO DIE (Book #6)

MORGAN STARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

TOO LATE (Book #1)

TOO CLOSE (Book #2)

TOO FAR GONE (Book #3)

TOO LOST (Book #4)

TOO BROKEN (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

PROLOGUE

Lauren Grant's boots crunched the underbrush as she navigated through the woods, her breaths rhythmic and deep. With every step, her resolve strengthened, fueled by the beauty that surrounded her – ancient oaks stretching skyward, a choir of birdsong, and the rich, earthy scent of the forest floor. Lauren had always felt a powerful kinship with nature, believing it to be both her refuge and her cause.

Today was no exception.

As her eyes traced the veins of a broadleaf, she could almost hear the pulse of the forest – a silent plea for protection.

As an environmental activist, she knew the delicate balance of this ecosystem, like the back of her hand, which was calloused from years of planting saplings and picketing against deforestation. She paused to admire a cluster of wildflowers, their vibrant hues dancing playfully in the dappled sunlight.

This, she thought to herself, reaffirming her mission, is what I'm fighting for.

It wasn't just about preserving the scenery; it was about safeguarding the symbiotic relationships between these plants, animals, and the very air they shared – an intricate web of life that she was determined to defend.

Checking her position, Lauren unclipped the compass from her belt loop, the reliable instrument a gift from her late mentor who'd taught her everything about grassroots activism. As she oriented herself northward, an abrupt sting pricked at her palm.

Instinctively, she jerked her hand away, examining the red mark that began to bloom on her skin. Just a bee sting, she muttered, a bit surprised at the suddenness of it all. She hadn’t  noticed any  bees, and there was no stinger inside.

But within moments, her surefootedness betrayed her. A wave of weakness washed over Lauren. Her brow furrowed in confusion; she couldn’t recall missing any meals or straying far from her well-planned trails.

Yet here she was, grasping at tree trunks for support, her legs quivering beneath her. The world seemed to tilt, and she stumbled, once, twice – each misstep chipping away at her confidence.

The compass swayed erratically in her dwindling grip, its needle spinning as if caught in an invisible storm. Was it the heat? Dehydration maybe? But she never neglected to hydrate, not with stakes so high and the wilderness demanding respect. She pressed onward, propelled by sheer willpower, but her pace had slowed considerably, each foot dragging as though weighted by the gravity of her unknown ailment.

Fumbling through her backpack, Lauren's fingers finally closed around the cold, sleekness of her phone. She had always trusted technology as a lifeline in these woods, but her touch screen blurred before her eyes, refusing to cooperate. Images and icons danced and doubled, and she jabbed at them with growing frustration. Panic licked at the edges of her professionalism; she was an activist accustomed to challenge and adversity, not this crippling helplessness.

Come on, she whispered, her voice hoarse with effort as she attempted to steady her hand long enough to dial emergency services. But her digits trembled violently, tapping aimlessly as the forest spun around her. The ground seemed to rise up to meet her, and she realized she was sinking, her knees buckling beneath her weight.

She hit the dirt hard, the bed of pine needles doing little to cushion her fall. The phone slipped from her grasp, skittering across the forest floor like a startled creature. Her chest heaved as she tried to draw in deep breaths, but they came short and ragged, tearing at her throat like thorns.

Focus... remember why you're here, she tried to remind herself of the trees she fought to protect, the wildlife she advocated for with such fervor, but their images were fading, replaced by a terrifying black void that crept into the peripheries of her vision. Her heart raced, a drumbeat of distress echoing through the silent woods. This couldn't be how it ended, not alone, not without making more of a difference.

Clutching at the underbrush, Lauren attempted to pull herself up, but her arms were devoid of strength. She managed a feeble crawl, her fingertips brushing against the bark of a tree, seeking some anchor in the spinning world. Her dedication, her unwavering commitment to the cause – it all seemed so distant now, as if her very essence was being sapped away.

It took everything she had left to utter a cry for help, her voice no more than a thread of sound lost amidst the rustling leaves. Help... me, she breathed, each syllable a monumental effort.

The silence that followed was profound, broken only by the erratic pounding of her heart.

Her compass lay nearby, glinting mockingly in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the canopy. With monumental effort, Lauren dragged herself toward it, her arm extending shakily. Her fingers curled around its familiar, metallic curve, and she brought it close, squinting to make sense of the etching that she had never noticed before – an intricate pattern that swirled like the ancient language of the earth itself.

Wha— she tried to form questions, but her thoughts were muddled, slipping away like water through cupped hands. The design seemed important, significant, but understanding eluded her as shadows gathered in her mind. Lauren blinked slowly, her eyelids heavy as lead, and with one last desperate attempt to cling to consciousness, she peered through the dimming light.

But the world was receding, sounds dampening until there was nothing but her shallow breathing and the faint whisper of wind through the trees. And then, even that faded, leaving behind a stillness so complete it was as if the forest itself held its breath.

Lauren succumbed to the silence, her final glimpse of the enigmatic compass blurring into darkness.

CHAPTER ONE

The whir of machinery and the muffled thuds of combat training pads filled the air as Agent Becca Thorn's muscles coiled, ready to unleash a storm. She stood in the center of the FBI training facility's simulated battleground, her mind razor-sharp beneath a veneer of calm. The scenario was simple: multiple hostiles, unarmed combat, subdue without lethal force. But simplicity in briefing never equaled ease in execution.

Commence, a voice boomed over the intercom.

Instantly, Becca's world narrowed to the opponents charging toward her. Her heartbeat drummed a steady rhythm, but her breathing remained even—controlled. As the first aggressor lunged, aiming to overpower her with brute strength, Becca pivoted on the ball of her foot, redirecting his momentum to send him sprawling onto the padded floor.

She didn't pause to admire her handiwork. The next opponent came at her with a feint—a movement designed to distract. But Becca's eyes, sharp as a hawk's, saw through the deception. With a swift step to the side, she countered with a low sweep, the timing impeccable, her opponent tumbling down as if his strings had been cut.

The facility's overseers watched from above, making notes on clipboards, their expressions betraying nothing. But Becca had no need for their approval; she sought only to refine her own skill, to be better than she was yesterday.

Each move she executed was a calculated decision, a product of incessant study and mental rehearsals spliced into every fiber of her being. As another would-be assailant approached, feigning left before switching to the right, Becca anticipated the shift. She caught his arm mid-strike, using his forward energy to flip him over her shoulder. A controlled descent—enough to incapacitate, not to injure.

Thorn! one instructor called out, trying to disrupt her focus. Remember, they're allies in training!

The simulation continued, and Becca's mind was a chessboard, her opponents pawns to be outmaneuvered. She didn't just fight; she composed a symphony of movement where every step, pivot, and strike was a note played in perfect time.

As the next attacker lunged, Becca sidestepped, her hand snaking out to press against a pressure point on his neck. He stumbled, momentarily stunned, allowing her to execute a judo throw that grounded him with a thud. There was an elegance to her technique that belied the force behind it. She wasn't just overpowering her opponents—she was outthinking them.

Good, Thorn! another instructor shouted, nodding in approval from his perch. You're not relying on brute strength!

Becca didn't respond this time, her focus absolute. She knew her physical prowess was only one facet of her capability. Her past had taught her the value of mental fortitude, of strategy over sheer force. Growing up in The First Divine, she'd learned to observe, to plan, to escape. Now, those lessons were woven into her fighting style, making her a formidable agent in the field.

Her breathing remained even, controlled as she faced down the final opponent. He was larger than the others, muscles bulging beneath his training gear. But size was just another variable in Becca's calculations. She waited for him to make the first move, to reveal his intentions. When he did, charging forward with a powerful right hook, Becca ducked low, her body coiling like a spring. With a swift upward motion, she struck his exposed rib, not to break but to incapacitate. As he doubled over, she completed her maneuver with a trip that sent him to the mat.

Silence fell over the training facility as the last opponent hit the ground. Becca stood amidst the fallen, her chest rising and falling rhythmically. She brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, her eyes scanning the room, already analyzing her performance, seeking out any flaw in her execution.

Simulation complete, the head instructor finally declared, and there was a hint of respect in his voice that hadn't been there before. Well done, Agent Thorn.

Thank you, sir, Becca replied, her tone neutral. She gave no sign of fatigue or triumph; this was her every day, her normal. Her life in the FBI was about constant improvement, about being ready for whatever case came next. Because the next case could be the one that led her back to The First Divine—the cult she had been saved from as a child—and to the sister she was determined to find.

But the training wasn’t over yet.

Well done, Bec, a familiar voice said, and she spun around to see her partner, Jack Langley, stride into the room wearing his training clothes.

Becca smiled. Jack, I didn’t know you wanted to train today.

You know I never miss a training sesh.

The padded mat felt familiar beneath Becca’s feet as she squared off with her partner. He was the antithesis of tension with his lopsided grin and relaxed posture that made rookies underestimate him—until they found themselves on their backs. But Becca knew better; she knew the steel behind that easy smile.

Ready to dance, Thorn? Jack asked, a twinkle in his eye betraying his anticipation.

Always, Becca replied, mirroring his stance. They circled each other, neither making the first move, both searching for an opening.

Their sparring was a silent conversation, punctuated by the occasional thud of a controlled punch or the soft shuffle of feet. Jack feinted left, but Becca didn't bite, her eyes locked onto his. She was ready when he switched direction, sidestepping his charge and tapping him lightly on the shoulder—a reminder that, had this been real, he'd be out of commission.

Nice try, she said, a slight smirk gracing her lips.

Testing the waters, Jack responded, regaining his balance effortlessly. How are you holding up after Utah?

The question lingered in the air like the echo of a gunshot. Becca's mind instinctively flashed back to the sprawling countryside, to the heart-pounding silence before the storm. They'd been hunting a killer who'd fashioned himself a prophet, and it had struck too close to home for Becca. The cult that raised her had cast long shadows over her life, and that case had brought them into sharp relief.

Utah was... intense, she admitted, deflecting a playful jab from Jack. Her tone remained even, betraying none of the turmoil that the memory conjured. But we got the job done.

True, Jack conceded, nodding appreciatively. You were solid, Becca. That case could've gone sideways fast, but you kept us on track.

Thanks to you too, she countered, throwing a combination that Jack deftly blocked. They moved together in a rhythm honed by countless hours of training and fieldwork, trust and mutual respect their metronome.

Jack had been her partner since she had started in the FBI. He had stood by her side through all the unspoken pain, never prying, always present. It was this unspoken understanding that formed the bedrock of their partnership. And as they continued their dance, each learning from the other's movements, Becca felt the weight of her history ebbing away, replaced by the grounding presence of the man before her.

Jack, Becca began, her voice casual as she caught her breath from the last round of sparring, how's Amy doing? She watched his open face for signs of the strain he'd mentioned a few weeks back, the subtle worry lines that had creased his forehead then.

He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "You know, I think I was