With a background in psychology, FBI Agent Lucy Kincaid is good at getting into the heads of killers and victims both. Still, her latest case is leaving her stumped. A third body has turned up in San Antonio—and it bears the same unique and troubling M.O. as the first two. The killer is clearly trying to send a message. But what is it—and to whom? All roads keep leading Lucy down a dead end. . .
The victims are all married men who led honest lives alongside their adoring wives, but have nothing else in common. When Lucy catches each widow in a lie, she realizes that things are not at all as they seem. What begins as a seemingly straightforward investigation turns into something far darker and more sinister than Lucy could have ever imagined. Can she solve this case before more lives are lost. . . including her own husband?
Settings San Antonio, Texas
34 Chapters
Character List (view spoiler)[ Recurring Characters Lucia (Lucy) Kincaid Rogan: Youngest of the Kincaid siblings, she’s an FBI agent in the San Antonio Violent Crimes Squad. She’s a rape survivor and married to Sean Rogan. She’s 26-years old and has long black hair and brown eyes. Sean Rogan: The youngest of the Rogan siblings, he’s returned to Rogan-Caruso-Kincaid (RCK) as an equal partner and is married to Lucy. Jesse Spade: Sean’s 13-year old son. Liam Rogan: Sean’s older brother who worked in Europe, running his own private security firm with his twin sister Eden. He was killed by Kane in Mexico after he went rogue. Eden Rogan: Only sister of the Rogan siblings who worked in Europe, running her own private security firm with twin brother Liam. She is in jail for her complicity with Liam. Patrick Kincaid: Lucy’s 34-year old brother, a former e-crimes detective with the San Diego Police Department. He’s now a partner at Rogan-Caruso-Kincaid (RCK) in Washington DC. He was in a coma for two years after suffering a brain injury during Lucy’s rescue. He’s in a relationship with Elle. Gabrielle (Elle) Santana: San Francisco attorney working for the law firm Feliz, Hochman and Fellows. She’s 32-years old with dark eyes and long, dark hair. She’s in a relationship with Patrick. Dillon Kincaid: Lucy’s brother who she lived with when she was in Washington, DC. He’s a forensic psychiatrist and civilian consultant for the FBI. He’s married to Kate and is Jack’s fraternal twin brother. Kate Donovan: FBI agent specializing in e-crimes. She’s married to Dillon. She was critical in locating Lucy following her abduction. She has short, white blond hair and blue eyes. Connor Kincaid: Carina’s older brother, a private investigator and former San Diego Police Department detective. Hes partnered with Nick in their private investigation firm. He’s married to Julia. He’s 6’3” with collar length black hair and black eyes. Julia Chandler Kincaid: Deputy district attorney and is married to Connor Kincaid. She’s 34-years old, 5’9” with blond hair and blue eyes. Carina Kincaid Thomas: Homicide detective with the San Diego Police Department. She’s Will’s partner and married to Nick. They are the parents of newborn son, John Patrick. Nick Thomas: Former sheriff of Gallatin County, Montana. He’s married to Carina and father of their son, John Patrick. He is a private investigator and is Connor’s partner. He’s 6’3” and has blue eyes. Jack Kincaid: Lucy’s oldest brother. Partner at Rogan-Caruso-Kincaid (RCK). Former Army Ranger Delta Force who later headed a small mercenary group in Texas focused on rescue missions and foreign hostage situations before joining RCK. He’s married to Megan, Dillon’s twin and was estranged from his family for years. He’s 6’1” with dark hair and brown eyes. Megan Elliott Kincaid: FBI special agent and head of the Sacramento Regional Violent Crimes/Major Offender Squad. She’s married to Jack Kincaid, Mitch Bianchi’s ex-wife and Matt’s sister. She’s 5’8” and has blond hair and green eyes. Nelia Kincaid Stanton: Formerly married to Andrew Stanton and one of the Kincaid siblings. Her son, Justin, was murdered and she left town. She helped Tom O’Brien and rescued him after he was shot by Aaron Doherty and left for dead in Idaho. They are in a relationship. Thomas (Tom) O’Brien: Nelia’s companion. He’s a former San Quentin prisoner who escaped during the earthquake. He was wrongly convicted of the murders of his wife and her lover 15 years ago and was later exonerated. He helped law enforcement recapture or kill all the other escaped prisoners. Andrew Stanton: Nelia’s ex-husband, Justin’s father. He was a prosecutor and is now the district attorney. Justin Stanton: Nelia and Andrew’s son who was abducted and murdered when he was 6-years old. Lucy recently solved the case with Max Revere’s assistance. Rosa Kincaid: Matriarch of the Kincaid family, married to Pat. Pat Kincaid: Patriarch of the Kincaid family, married to Rosa. He’s a retired Army colonel. Duke Rogan: Security specialist at Rogan-Caruso-Kincaid (RCK). He’s a former Marine marksman. He’s married to Nora English. He raised Sean following the death of their parents in a plane crash. Nora English Rogan: FBI special agent in the domestic terrorism unit. She’s married to Duke. Kane Rogan: The oldest of the Rogan siblings, a partner at Rogan-Caruso-Kincaid (RCK). He’s in a relationship with Siobhan. Siobhan Walsh: Photojournalist who is working in Mexico with the Sisters of Mercy. She’s in a relationship with Kane. Molly Rogan: Sean’s older sister who died of a drug overdose when he was very young. Paul Rogan: Patriarch of the family who died in a plane crash. Sheila Rogan: Matriarch of the family who died in a plane crash. JT Caruso: One of the principals at RCK Protective Services. He’s Bella’s older brother and a former Navy SEAL. Bella Caruso: aka Isabella Carter. JT’s younger sister. She was sold into a sex trafficking ring by her father when she was 14-years old and later rescued by JT. She was taken care of by Laura and Adam Dixon. Jaye Morgan: Former IT analyst at RCK Protective Services. She was fired after she unwittingly helped Liam and Eden. Noah Armstrong: FBI supervisory special agent who helped reorganize the San Antonio office. He and Lucy have a history as he was her original mentoring partner. Suzanne Madeaux: FBI special agent in the New York office. Hans Vigo: FBI assistant director and profiler. Rick Stockton: FBI assistant director. Dorothy Connor: Stockton’s analyst. Will Hooper: San Diego Police Department detective and Carina's partner. He’s married to Robin. Robin McKenna Hooper: Will’s wife. She’s a former exotic dancer now the owner of an urban dance club, The Eighth Sin. She’s tall with long dark red hair and green eyes. Dean Hooper: Assistant special agent in charge of Sacramento FBI, former assistant director of the FBI. He’s married to Sonia. Sonia Martin Knight Hooper: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) senior agent. She’s married to Dean. Ryan Quiroz: FBI agent and Lucy’s former partner in San Antonio. He recently relocated to Austin to be near his sons. Nate Dunning: FBI agent in San Antonio who’s become Sean’s good friend. He’s also a rookie. MacKenzie (Kenzie) Malone: FBI agent in San Antonio. Emilio Figueroa: FBI agent in San Antonio. Jason Lopez: FBI agent in San Antonio that Rachel recruited. He’s married to Bobbie and are the parents of two children. Zach Charles: FBI analyst in San Antonio. Tim Yancey: FBI technology analyst in San Antonio. Mike Jackson: FBI head of the Evidence Response Team (ERT). Rachel Vaughn: FBI supervisory special agent and Lucy’s new boss. She runs the San Antonio office, replacing Juan. Abigail Durant: Assistant special agent in charge, Rachel’s boss. Ritz Naygrow: FBI special agent in charge, formerly of the San Antonio office. Gianna Murphy: DEA supervisory special agent, El Paso. Brad Donnelly: DEA supervisory agent, San Antonio. Aggie Jensen: DEA analyst, San Antonio. Jerome (Jerry) Fielding: DEA liaison to the SAPD. Leo Proctor: SWAT team leader. Rod Rodriguez: SWAT counter-terrorism team member. Jordan Young: SAPD Lieutenant. Tia Mancini: SAPD detective. Keith Hastings: SAPD detective. Ash Dominguez: SAPD CSI. Milton Turner: SAPD police chief. Julie Peters: Deputy coroner, San Antonio. Ian Chen: Julie’s assistant. Frank Hernandez: Coroner. Dominic Moreno: Neurosurgeon at the university medical center. Father Mateo Flannigan: Priest at Saint Catherine’s. Sister Ruth Baxter: Nun who is managing St. Catherine’s Boys Home, the house Sean built for the boys they rescued in Mexico. Michael Rodriguez: Boy Lucy helped rescue in Mexico. He’s 15-years old and lives at the boys home. Tito: One of the boys who was rescued from Mexico now staying at the boys home. Brian Torres: One of the boys who was rescued in Mexico. He lives at the boys home. Andrea (Andie) Walsh: Siobhan’s half sister who is a Marine lieutenant colonel. She was Kane’s commanding officer when he enlisted. Father Francis Cardenas: aka Padre. Jack’s friend in McAllen. Bandit: Sean and Lucy’s dog, a golden retriever.
Non-recurring Characters Jerry Walker: Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputy investigator. Married to Jeanie who is a mechanic in the Air Force, stationed at Lackland. Maria Jimenez: Bexar County assistant sheriff who oversees the Investigative Unit. Martha Vasquez: Bexar County Sheriff’s Office chief investigator. Julio Garcia: Murder victim. Head chef at Sun Towers, a convention hotel. He was married to Marissa who is 8-months pregnant. They have a 6-year old son, Dario. Marissa Garcia: Married to Julio and mother of their 6-year old son Dario. Sandra Vallejo: Marissa’s oldest sister. Anna: Marissa’s sister. Beatrice Garcia: Julio’s mother. Mitchell Duncan: Julio’s assistant. Christopher Smith: Grandson of the owner of Sun Towers where Julio worked. Billy Joe Standish: First murder victim. He was a construction worker, married to Susan. Susan Standish: Billy Joe’s wife. She’s an elementary school teacher. Joey Adkins: Former friend of Billy Joe’s who was injured because of him. Carl Franklin: Billy Joe’s best friend. Steven James: Second murder victim. He was an accountant, married to Teri, his second wife, and father of daughter Abby from his first marriage. Abigail (Abby) James: Steven’s 14-year old daughter. Bridget O’Connell James: Steven’s first wife, deceased. Teri James: Steven’s second wife. Trevor James: Steven’s brother. Roger Abbott: Teri’s first husband. George Andres: Man who sued Steven and lost. Victor King: Murder victim. He was a teacher. Garrett King: Victor’s troubled son. Jose Torres: Brian’s brother. William Peterson: Co-owner of Allied, the company Steven worked for. Joyce Witherspoon: Co-owner of Allied, the company Steven worked for. Grant Stocum: FBI supervisory special agent that ran afoul of Jerry. Justice: Victor’s dog. (hide spoiler)]
Spoiler Info (view spoiler)[ Teri James was the killer. Steven was going to divorce her but first get counseling. She did not want to be diagnosed as a sociopath.
Brian was being manipulated by his brother. (hide spoiler)]
The victims are all married men who led honest lives alongside their adoring wives, but have nothing else in common. When Lucy catches each widow in a lie, she realizes that things are not at all as they seem. What begins as a seemingly straightforward investigation turns into something far darker and more sinister than Lucy could have ever imagined. Can she solve this case before more lives are lost. . . including her own husband?
Settings
San Antonio, Texas
34 Chapters
Character List
(view spoiler)[
Recurring Characters
Lucia (Lucy) Kincaid Rogan: Youngest of the Kincaid siblings, she’s an FBI agent in the San Antonio Violent Crimes Squad. She’s a rape survivor and married to Sean Rogan. She’s 26-years old and has long black hair and brown eyes.
Sean Rogan: The youngest of the Rogan siblings, he’s returned to Rogan-Caruso-Kincaid (RCK) as an equal partner and is married to Lucy.
Jesse Spade: Sean’s 13-year old son.
Liam Rogan: Sean’s older brother who worked in Europe, running his own private security firm with his twin sister Eden. He was killed by Kane in Mexico after he went rogue.
Eden Rogan: Only sister of the Rogan siblings who worked in Europe, running her own private security firm with twin brother Liam. She is in jail for her complicity with Liam.
Patrick Kincaid: Lucy’s 34-year old brother, a former e-crimes detective with the San Diego Police Department. He’s now a partner at Rogan-Caruso-Kincaid (RCK) in Washington DC. He was in a coma for two years after suffering a brain injury during Lucy’s rescue. He’s in a relationship with Elle.
Gabrielle (Elle) Santana: San Francisco attorney working for the law firm Feliz, Hochman and Fellows. She’s 32-years old with dark eyes and long, dark hair. She’s in a relationship with Patrick.
Dillon Kincaid: Lucy’s brother who she lived with when she was in Washington, DC. He’s a forensic psychiatrist and civilian consultant for the FBI. He’s married to Kate and is Jack’s fraternal twin brother.
Kate Donovan: FBI agent specializing in e-crimes. She’s married to Dillon. She was critical in locating Lucy following her abduction. She has short, white blond hair and blue eyes.
Connor Kincaid: Carina’s older brother, a private investigator and former San Diego Police Department detective. Hes partnered with Nick in their private investigation firm. He’s married to Julia. He’s 6’3” with collar length black hair and black eyes.
Julia Chandler Kincaid: Deputy district attorney and is married to Connor Kincaid. She’s 34-years old, 5’9” with blond hair and blue eyes.
Carina Kincaid Thomas: Homicide detective with the San Diego Police Department. She’s Will’s partner and married to Nick. They are the parents of newborn son, John Patrick.
Nick Thomas: Former sheriff of Gallatin County, Montana. He’s married to Carina and father of their son, John Patrick. He is a private investigator and is Connor’s partner. He’s 6’3” and has blue eyes.
Jack Kincaid: Lucy’s oldest brother. Partner at Rogan-Caruso-Kincaid (RCK). Former Army Ranger Delta Force who later headed a small mercenary group in Texas focused on rescue missions and foreign hostage situations before joining RCK. He’s married to Megan, Dillon’s twin and was estranged from his family for years. He’s 6’1” with dark hair and brown eyes.
Megan Elliott Kincaid: FBI special agent and head of the Sacramento Regional Violent Crimes/Major Offender Squad. She’s married to Jack Kincaid, Mitch Bianchi’s ex-wife and Matt’s sister. She’s 5’8” and has blond hair and green eyes.
Nelia Kincaid Stanton: Formerly married to Andrew Stanton and one of the Kincaid siblings. Her son, Justin, was murdered and she left town. She helped Tom O’Brien and rescued him after he was shot by Aaron Doherty and left for dead in Idaho. They are in a relationship.
Thomas (Tom) O’Brien: Nelia’s companion. He’s a former San Quentin prisoner who escaped during the earthquake. He was wrongly convicted of the murders of his wife and her lover 15 years ago and was later exonerated. He helped law enforcement recapture or kill all the other escaped prisoners.
Andrew Stanton: Nelia’s ex-husband, Justin’s father. He was a prosecutor and is now the district attorney.
Justin Stanton: Nelia and Andrew’s son who was abducted and murdered when he was 6-years old. Lucy recently solved the case with Max Revere’s assistance.
Rosa Kincaid: Matriarch of the Kincaid family, married to Pat.
Pat Kincaid: Patriarch of the Kincaid family, married to Rosa. He’s a retired Army colonel.
Duke Rogan: Security specialist at Rogan-Caruso-Kincaid (RCK). He’s a former Marine marksman. He’s married to Nora English. He raised Sean following the death of their parents in a plane crash.
Nora English Rogan: FBI special agent in the domestic terrorism unit. She’s married to Duke.
Kane Rogan: The oldest of the Rogan siblings, a partner at Rogan-Caruso-Kincaid (RCK). He’s in a relationship with Siobhan.
Siobhan Walsh: Photojournalist who is working in Mexico with the Sisters of Mercy. She’s in a relationship with Kane.
Molly Rogan: Sean’s older sister who died of a drug overdose when he was very young.
Paul Rogan: Patriarch of the family who died in a plane crash.
Sheila Rogan: Matriarch of the family who died in a plane crash.
JT Caruso: One of the principals at RCK Protective Services. He’s Bella’s older brother and a former Navy SEAL.
Bella Caruso: aka Isabella Carter. JT’s younger sister. She was sold into a sex trafficking ring by her father when she was 14-years old and later rescued by JT. She was taken care of by Laura and Adam Dixon.
Jaye Morgan: Former IT analyst at RCK Protective Services. She was fired after she unwittingly helped Liam and Eden.
Noah Armstrong: FBI supervisory special agent who helped reorganize the San Antonio office. He and Lucy have a history as he was her original mentoring partner.
Suzanne Madeaux: FBI special agent in the New York office.
Hans Vigo: FBI assistant director and profiler.
Rick Stockton: FBI assistant director.
Dorothy Connor: Stockton’s analyst.
Will Hooper: San Diego Police Department detective and Carina's partner. He’s married to Robin.
Robin McKenna Hooper: Will’s wife. She’s a former exotic dancer now the owner of an urban dance club, The Eighth Sin. She’s tall with long dark red hair and green eyes.
Dean Hooper: Assistant special agent in charge of Sacramento FBI, former assistant director of the FBI. He’s married to Sonia.
Sonia Martin Knight Hooper: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) senior agent. She’s married to Dean.
Ryan Quiroz: FBI agent and Lucy’s former partner in San Antonio. He recently relocated to Austin to be near his sons.
Nate Dunning: FBI agent in San Antonio who’s become Sean’s good friend. He’s also a rookie.
MacKenzie (Kenzie) Malone: FBI agent in San Antonio.
Emilio Figueroa: FBI agent in San Antonio.
Jason Lopez: FBI agent in San Antonio that Rachel recruited. He’s married to Bobbie and are the parents of two children.
Zach Charles: FBI analyst in San Antonio.
Tim Yancey: FBI technology analyst in San Antonio.
Mike Jackson: FBI head of the Evidence Response Team (ERT).
Rachel Vaughn: FBI supervisory special agent and Lucy’s new boss. She runs the San Antonio office, replacing Juan.
Abigail Durant: Assistant special agent in charge, Rachel’s boss.
Ritz Naygrow: FBI special agent in charge, formerly of the San Antonio office.
Gianna Murphy: DEA supervisory special agent, El Paso.
Brad Donnelly: DEA supervisory agent, San Antonio.
Aggie Jensen: DEA analyst, San Antonio.
Jerome (Jerry) Fielding: DEA liaison to the SAPD.
Leo Proctor: SWAT team leader.
Rod Rodriguez: SWAT counter-terrorism team member.
Jordan Young: SAPD Lieutenant.
Tia Mancini: SAPD detective.
Keith Hastings: SAPD detective.
Ash Dominguez: SAPD CSI.
Milton Turner: SAPD police chief.
Julie Peters: Deputy coroner, San Antonio.
Ian Chen: Julie’s assistant.
Frank Hernandez: Coroner.
Dominic Moreno: Neurosurgeon at the university medical center.
Father Mateo Flannigan: Priest at Saint Catherine’s.
Sister Ruth Baxter: Nun who is managing St. Catherine’s Boys Home, the house Sean built for the boys they rescued in Mexico.
Michael Rodriguez: Boy Lucy helped rescue in Mexico. He’s 15-years old and lives at the boys home.
Tito: One of the boys who was rescued from Mexico now staying at the boys home.
Brian Torres: One of the boys who was rescued in Mexico. He lives at the boys home.
Andrea (Andie) Walsh: Siobhan’s half sister who is a Marine lieutenant colonel. She was Kane’s commanding officer when he enlisted.
Father Francis Cardenas: aka Padre. Jack’s friend in McAllen.
Bandit: Sean and Lucy’s dog, a golden retriever.
Non-recurring Characters
Jerry Walker: Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputy investigator. Married to Jeanie who is a mechanic in the Air Force, stationed at Lackland.
Maria Jimenez: Bexar County assistant sheriff who oversees the Investigative Unit.
Martha Vasquez: Bexar County Sheriff’s Office chief investigator.
Julio Garcia: Murder victim. Head chef at Sun Towers, a convention hotel. He was married to Marissa who is 8-months pregnant. They have a 6-year old son, Dario.
Marissa Garcia: Married to Julio and mother of their 6-year old son Dario.
Sandra Vallejo: Marissa’s oldest sister.
Anna: Marissa’s sister.
Beatrice Garcia: Julio’s mother.
Mitchell Duncan: Julio’s assistant.
Christopher Smith: Grandson of the owner of Sun Towers where Julio worked.
Billy Joe Standish: First murder victim. He was a construction worker, married to Susan.
Susan Standish: Billy Joe’s wife. She’s an elementary school teacher.
Joey Adkins: Former friend of Billy Joe’s who was injured because of him.
Carl Franklin: Billy Joe’s best friend.
Steven James: Second murder victim. He was an accountant, married to Teri, his second wife, and father of daughter Abby from his first marriage.
Abigail (Abby) James: Steven’s 14-year old daughter.
Bridget O’Connell James: Steven’s first wife, deceased.
Teri James: Steven’s second wife.
Trevor James: Steven’s brother.
Roger Abbott: Teri’s first husband.
George Andres: Man who sued Steven and lost.
Victor King: Murder victim. He was a teacher.
Garrett King: Victor’s troubled son.
Jose Torres: Brian’s brother.
William Peterson: Co-owner of Allied, the company Steven worked for.
Joyce Witherspoon: Co-owner of Allied, the company Steven worked for.
Grant Stocum: FBI supervisory special agent that ran afoul of Jerry.
Justice: Victor’s dog.
(hide spoiler)]
Spoiler Info
(view spoiler)[
Teri James was the killer. Steven was going to divorce her but first get counseling. She did not want to be diagnosed as a sociopath.
Brian was being manipulated by his brother. (hide spoiler)]