Find Me (An Addison Shine FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 1)

By Kate Bold

Medical examiner-turned-FBI Agent Addison Shine is known for her uncanny ability to discern the cause of death from minimal evidence. Now she uses her deep understanding of human anatomy and pathology to catch killers in the Pacific Northwest.

When victims in Seattle find themselves ensnared in personalized mazes of death, crafted from their private terrors, FBI Agent Addison Shine must piece together the clues woven into each sinister trap. Can she outsmart the diabolical architect behind these labyrinths before another life is extinguished?

“This is an excellent book… When you start reading, be sure you don’t have to wake up early!”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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FIND ME (An Addison Shine FBI Suspense Thriller–Book #1) is the first book in a new series by #1 bestselling mystery and suspense author Kate Bold, whose bestseller NOT NOW (a free download) has received over 600 five star ratings and reviews.

The ADDISON SHINE mystery series delivers a gripping cat-and-mouse narrative, brimming with chilling surprises and edge-of-your-seat tension. It breathes new life into the genre by presenting an ingenious yet troubled female protagonist who captures your heart and compels you to read well past bedtime. Fans of Lisa Gardner, Melinda Leigh, and Kendra Elliot are sure to fall in love.

Future books in the series will soon be available!

“This book moved very fast and every page was exciting. Plenty of dialogue, you absolutely love the characters, and you were rooting for the good guy throughout the whole story… I look forward to reading the next in the series.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“Kate did an amazing job on this book and I was hooked from the first chapter!”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“I really enjoyed this book. The characters were authentic, and I see the bad guys as something we hear about daily on the news... Looking forward to book 2.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“This was a really good book. The main characters were real, flawed and human. The story went along quickly and wasn't mired in too many unnecessary details. I really enjoyed it.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“Alexa Chase is headstrong, impatient, but most of all brave with a capital B. She never, repeat never, backs down until the bad guys are put where they belong. Clearly five stars!”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“Captivating and riveting serial murder with a twist of the macabre… Very well done.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“WOW what a great read! Talk about a diabolical killer! Really enjoyed this book. Looking forward to reading others by this author as well.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“Page turner for sure. Great characters and relationships. I got into the middle of this story and couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to more from Kate Bold.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“Hard to put down. It has an excellent plot and has the right amount of suspense. I really enjoyed this book.”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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“Extremely well written, and well worth buying and reading. I can't wait to read book two!”
—Reader review for The Killing Game
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• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate Bold
• Release date: Jul 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9798894822525

Book preview

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F I N D

M E

(An Addison Shine Mystery—Book 1)

K a t e   B o l d

Kate Bold

Bestselling author Kate Bold is author of the ALEXA CHASE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); the ASHLEY HOPE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); the CAMILLE GRACE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising eight books (and counting); the HARLEY COLE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising eleven books (and counting); the KAYLIE BROOKS PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting); the EVE HOPE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising seven books (and counting); the DYLAN FIRST FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting);  the LAUREN LAMB FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting); the KELSEY HAWK SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising nine books (and counting); the NORA PRICE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting); the NINA VEIL FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting); OF the BARREN PINES PSYCHOLIGICAL SUSPENSE series, comprising five books (and counting); and of the ADDISON SHINE SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising seven books (and counting).

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

Copyright © 2024 by Kate Bold. 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 KATE BOLD

ADDISON SHINE SUSPENSE THRILLER

FIND ME (Book #1)

FIND HER (Book #2)

FIND HELP (Book #3)

FIND HOME (Book #4)

FIND HIM (Book #5)

FIND YOU (Book #6)

FIND HOPE (Book #7)

BARREN PINES

THE UNSEEN NEIGHBOR (Book #1)

THE UNSEEN WIFE (Book #2)

THE UNSEEN KILLER (Book #3)

THE UNSEEN WOMAN (Book #4)

THE UNSEEN PAST (Book #5)

NINA VEIL SUSPENSE THRILLER

AWAY FROM HERE (Book #1)

AWAY FROM HIM (Book #2)

AWAY FROM HOPE (Book #3)

AWAY FROM HOME (Book #4)

AWAY FROM HUMANITY (Book #5)

NORA PRICE MYSTERY

CAN’T RUN (Book #1)

CAN’T HIDE (Book #2)

CAN’T ESCAPE (Book #3)

CAN’T SLEEP (Book #4)

CAN’T FORGET (Book #5)

KELSEY HAWK MYSTERY

DEAD INSIDE (Book #1)

DEAD RECKONING (Book #2)

DEAD TO ME (Book #3)

DEAD SILENCE (Book #4)

DEAD TO DAWN (Book #5)

DEAD END (Book #6)

DEAD OF NIGHT (Book #7)

DEAD CALM (Book #8)

DEAD AND GONE (Book #9)

ALEXA CHASE SUSPENSE THRILLER

THE KILLING GAME (Book #1)

THE KILLING TIDE (Book #2)

THE KILLING HOUR (Book #3)

THE KILLING POINT (Book #4)

THE KILLING FOG (Book #5)

THE KILLING PLACE (Book #6)

ASHLEY HOPE SUSPENSE THRILLER

LET ME GO (Book #1)

LET ME OUT (Book #2)

LET ME LIVE (Book #3)

LET ME BREATHE (Book #4)

LET ME FORGET (Book #5)

LET ME ESCAPE (Book #6)

CAMILLE GRACE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

NOT ME (Book #1)

NOT NOW (Book #2)

NOT WELL (Book #3)

NOT HER (Book #4)

NOT NORMAL (Book #5)

NOT AGAIN (Book #6)

NOT SAFE (Book #7)

NOT TODAY (Book #8)

HARLEY COLE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

NOWHERE SAFE (Book #1)

NOWHERE LEFT (Book #2)

NOWHERE TO RUN (Book #3)

NOWHERE LIKE THIS (Book #4)

NOWHERE GIRL (Book #5)

NOWHERE TO HIDE (Book #6)

NOWHERE CERTAIN (Book #7)

NOWHERE PURE (Book #8)

NOWHERE SOUND (Book #9)

NOWHERE SANE (Book #10)

NOWHERE TRUE (Book #11)

KAYLIE BROOKS PYSCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE THRILLER

LAST BREATH (Book #1)

LAST CHANCE (Book #2)

LAST WISH (Book #3)

LAST SHOT (Book #4)

LAST MISTAKE (Book #5)

EVE HOPE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

IN HIS BLOOD (Book #1)

IN HIS SIGHTS (Book #2)

IN HIS REACH (Book #3)

IN HIS MIND (Book #4)

IN HIS WAY (Book #5)

IN HIS THOUGHTS (Book #6)

IN HIS DREAMS (Book #7)

DYLAN FIRST FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

OUT OF REACH (Book #1)

OUT OF TOUCH (Book #2)

OUT OF TIME (Book #3)

OUT OF BOUNDS (Book #4)

OUT OF LUCK (Book #5)

LAUREN LAMB FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

SOMETHING KNOCKING (Book #1)

SOMETHING CALLING (Book #2)

SOMETHING WRONG (Book 3)

SOMETHING DARK (Book #4)

SOMETHING TO HIDE (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

PROLOGUE

Emily’s eyelids fluttered open. A rocket of pain blared through her head as a sliver of consciousness showed itself. She blinked her eyes as if making sure they were working because all she could see was darkness. Her breath came out in a shivering exhale, the chill of the air biting against her skin. She tried to move, but her limbs felt like lead, heavy and unresponsive. Pain throbbed at the base of her skull, an insistent drumming that matched the erratic rhythm of her heart.

The cold seeped through her clothes, making her shiver uncontrollably. Panic clawed at her chest as she tried to remember what happened. The dark, the cold, the hard floor beneath her. She had no idea where she was or how she’d come to be here. It was dark and featureless, the sort of place that did not offer even the slightest hint of where she might be. Her memories were thin and ink-like. How long had she been here? A day? More? The gnawing emptiness in her stomach suggested it had been quite some time since she’d last eaten, and her parched throat screamed for water.

She wanted to call out for help but somehow felt it might make things worse…that it might invite danger. After all, someone had brought her here. What if they’d forgotten her? Would calling out for help remind them she was here and perhaps bring even worse things her way?

Emily dragged her hands along the ground, wincing as the rough surface scraped her palms. Rough concrete, nothing more. There was nothing—no belongings, no clues, just the overwhelming void that enveloped her entirely.

As she lay there, trying to summon any tiny bit of strength, the fragments of memory began to coalesce like mist into droplets of recollection. The images were hazy, distorted, as if seen through a cracked lens. But they created enough for her to put at least some sort of narrative together.

She saw herself leaving the restroom at the amusement park, the clamor of children’s laughter and the tinny sound of carnival music distant but comforting. She was supposed to meet up with the kids who’d signed up for the program with community services. There were two other adults there, too—social workers like herself—waiting for her. It had been a great day, but after the Tilt-A-Whirl ride, she’d had to pee very badly.

She recalled a presence, a shadow looming over her. It seemed to stretch out forever in her mind, a presence unseen but malevolent. It crept upon her from behind, silent and swift. Before she could turn, before she could register the impending danger, pain exploded at the back of her head, stars bursting across her vision.

And then, nothing. She’d opened her eyes here, to this darkness. Just the void that now held her captive.

Help, she whispered, her voice cracking with despair. So what if it invited danger? She just needed to know that she wasn’t alone in this nightmare.

But her call vanished into the silence, unanswered. Fear settled in her bones. Whoever had taken her had done so with a stealth and precision that left her vulnerable and alone. With each ragged breath, Emily fought against the terror that threatened to consume her, the terror of being forgotten, of never seeing the light again.

As she got to her feet, she reached out into the darkness on both sides. She knew there were walls there, made of some sort of wood and rough to the touch. She’d felt them before as she’d tried to make sense of this place. Her fingers found the coarse surface of the wall, her nails catching on the gritty texture. The walls on both sides of her gave her just barely enough space to extend her arms all the way, still just slightly bent at the elbow before the walls met her palms. For someone who had been claustrophobic since childhood, this created a ticking time bomb down in the very pit of her stomach where her fear threatened to become something entirely different.

She shuffled forward, one tentative step at a time, the confinement pressing in from all sides like a physical force. It was as if she were trapped inside the gruesome set of some deranged director’s horror movie, with corridors that twisted and turned deceitfully, always leading to more uncertainty, more dread. And total darkness.

The air was dank and smelled of mildew and decay. It reminded her a bit of an old cellar, or maybe a warehouse that had gone forgotten by time. She walked slowly, knowing that there were walls in front of her, too. She’d run into several in the darkness, taking each turn further into the dark.

It’s a maze, she thought. I’m in some weird, hellish maze, and I don’t think there’s an ending to it.

Each new path felt like a malicious replication of the last, an endless labyrinth designed not to confound, but to terrorize.

Her mind reeled, struggling to process this waking nightmare. The darkness seemed alive, pulsating with the thumping of her own heart. The silence was oppressive, only broken by the distant drip of water—or was it something more sinister? Each drop resounded like a warning, a foreboding countdown echoing in the hollows of the maze.

Suddenly, the void was pierced by a sound so incongruous it made her freeze mid-step. 

Laughter—soft and low, reverberating off the damp walls. A man’s laughter, the sound of a man who held a secret that was too good to keep to himself. A shiver shot down her spine; the hairs on her neck stood on end. Desperation clawed at her throat as the laughter was joined by another sound.

Footsteps.

Panic surged, raw and powerful. She turned sharply, nearly tripping over her own weakened feet, and stumbled away from the noise—the footsteps and the echo of that eerie laughter. Tears blurred her vision as she ran blindly, her chest tight with fear. Each corner she rounded led to another dead end, mocking her attempts at escape. 

The laughter came again. It was louder, more insistent, as if it were feeding off her growing terror.

Please, she gasped, her voice a ragged whisper, pleading to the unseen stalker or perhaps to some higher power that could deliver her from this hell. Leave me alone, please…

Heart pounding, she pressed on. Her muscles screamed in protest as she propelled herself through the narrow corridors of the maze. Twice, she ran into unseen walls directly in front of her. She could hear the wood tremble and shake, but it remained firm. The skin of her nose was scraped open, and she felt blood trickling. 

With each turn, the oppressive walls seemed to inch closer, tightening around her like a vise. The sound of footsteps behind her was a relentless drumbeat, driving her forward even as her body begged for a break.

As she darted around a corner, her heart lurching against her ribs, a wave of dizziness washed over her. The world seemed to tilt dangerously. Her legs, already trembling with exertion and terror, gave out beneath her. She crumpled to the cold, unforgiving concrete, her palms scraping against the gritty surface.

Help, she sobbed, the word barely a whisper, tears streaming down her cheeks. She didn’t even know who she was speaking the plea to. It was just her base reaction to this misery. She began to shake uncontrollably, a marionette cut loose from its strings. She curled into a ball, trying to make herself small, invisible to even the dark, anything to escape the presence lurking behind her.

The footsteps grew louder, more deliberate, as if her assailant was aware of her dread. Emily’s heart pounded so fiercely it threatened to burst from her chest, each throb a dull and twisting pain. She could almost hear her pulse echoing off the confining walls.

And then there he was. She could not see him in the impenetrable dark, but she knew. She could feel him like another wall, closing in. She strained to see the figure that now stood ominously silent above her. 

Stay back, she tried to command, but the words were lost in a fit of coughing, her lungs straining for air that seemed to grow thinner with each breath. She could feel the blood pounding in her ears. Everything inside of her seemed possibly loud, like her very insides might explode.

She sensed the man bending slightly. She could almost see him now, a vague outline shrouded in the murky dark. The pain in her chest tightened like a band, constricting her ability to draw a full breath. 

The figure before her remained motionless, an ominous statue, his motives as obscured as his features. With her heart still rampaging, Emily couldn’t discern if he brandished a weapon or was simply waiting to see if her heart would give out.

Can’t… can’t breathe… she gasped, the effort to speak costing her what little strength she had left. Her sight dimmed, the edges of her vision fraying into a darkness even more resolute than the one she was currently residing in. As the man hovered over her, the distance between life and the abyss rapidly closed.

Please, she managed, the plea a mere thread of sound. It was all she could muster—a final, desperate word hurled into the dark…the same dark she felt her body slipping toward. And for just a moment, Emily Torres couldn’t help but wonder if her own body would betray her before the man was able to make a move.

CHAPTER ONE

The asphalt was a ribbon of silver under the moonlight, stretching endlessly in both directions. Addison’s boots thumped along the road as she walked toward the chaos ahead. The air was thick with the scent of gasoline and burnt rubber, of the sickly sweet smell of spilled antifreeze—a metallic tang that made her wrinkle her nose. The scene before her unfolded slowly, as if she were moving through water rather than air. Two vehicles, crumpled and distorted from impact, sat entwined in a deadly wall of ruined bodies. Their headlights still glowed, casting bizarre shadows across the wreckage and onto the dark pavement.

The cars seemed to breathe in the night, their damaged engines ticking like clocks. Addison approached cautiously, trying to make sense of it. Head-on collision, severe damage to both front ends—this was the kind of wreckage that brought death with it.

As she drew nearer, the driver’s side door of the nearest car creaked open, revealing the figure slumped within. Logan. Her throat tightened at the sight of