BURDEN OF PROOF
FBI Rapid Response, #1
by
DiANN MILLS
Genre: Inspirational /Mystery / Suspense / Romance
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Date of Publication: October 9, 2018
Number of Pages: 416
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Reeling from a negotiation gone wrong, FBI Special Agent April Ramos is caught off guard when a frazzled young woman shoves a crying baby into her arms, then disappears. Worry for the child’s safety quickly turns to fear when a man claiming to be the girl’s father abducts them at gunpoint. April puts her hostage negotiation skills to use to learn more about who she’s dealing with: Jason Snyder, a fugitive accused of murder.
As Jason spins a tall tale about being framed for the killing of his business partner, April must sort through his claims to find the truth. A truth that becomes all the more evident after April overhears a conversation between Jason and the local sheriff and realizes something more sinister may be happening in their small town of Sweet Briar, Texas. But aligning herself with a known fugitive to uncover the burden of proof could cost April her job . . . or worse, her life and the lives of other innocent people.
PRAISE FOR DiANN MILLS:
"The tension level rises as layers of lies are peeled away in multiple plot twists." --Library Journal"DiAnn Mills is a master of fast-paced and intricately plotted romantic suspense." --Colleen Coble, Bestselling author
"[A] fast-moving, intricately plotted thriller." --Publishers Weekly
CHECK OUT THE BOOK TRAILER:
FROM BURDEN OF PROOF
BY DiANN MILLS
Click to Read Chapter 3, Part 1
“You can’t take this child. A woman gave her to me, and I’m sure she’ll return in just a minute.” He was close enough to inflict harm. His face reddened. “Just give me my daughter, and we’ll be going.” He grabbed April’s arm.
She kicked him in the shin, and he winced but didn’t release his hold. She held the baby tighter and kept her away from the man’s grasp. “Stand down. I’m FBI.” April couldn’t protect Benson, but she could keep this child from potential harm. The baby’s tears settled into a sob.
He looked at the jacket and released her arm as though he’d been burned. “This is yours?”
“Yes. I’m Agent April Ramos. This baby is under my care until I find her legal guardian.”
“I’m Isabella’s father.” He reached into his pocket. “She was kidnapped last night, and I followed the car here. My driver’s license—”
“Only proves your name.”
“I’m asking you for the last time to give me my daughter.”
“Or you’ll do what?” She made eye contact.
He rubbed his hand over a stubbly chin. He trembled. “What if she were your daughter? How would you react?”
“I certainly wouldn’t accost an FBI agent.”
He hesitated. “I need help with a serious situation.”
The moment the words were uttered, April’s instincts kicked in. “Is this about the woman who left me with the baby?”
He glanced around the parking lot as though he planned to grab the baby and bolt. “Can we talk? The diaper bag is in my truck, and Isabella needs to be changed. I smell her.”
Fat chance of that happening. “Why don’t you get the bag, and I’ll change her inside the donut shop while you tell me your problem.”
He shook his head and opened the inside of his jacket just enough for her to see a Beretta. He closed his jacket, covering the weapon. Her Glock was tucked in her shoulder bag. “Don’t reach for your gun,” he whispered. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Sir, it’s difficult for me to be sympathetic when you’ve pulled a gun on a federal officer. What about endangering your daughter?”
A muscle twitched below his eye, and he patted the gun inside his jacket. “Follow me to my truck, and I’ll explain.”
“No.”
“You have no choice.”
She always had a choice, but not when an innocent child was placed in danger. She’d fight for this baby when the only risks were her own. He gestured for her to take the lead and pointed to a 2018 green Chevy pickup, extended cab. He slid her shoulder bag down her arm and placed it in his opposite hand. There went her Glock and phone. All she needed was an opportunity to seize control. They passed a woman with two small children. No point calling out to them when the man beside her had a gun.
They neared the truck, and by habit, she memorized the plates. He clicked a key fob. “Open the rear driver’s-side door,” he said. “A diaper bag’s inside with everything you need to change Isabella. And a clean sweatshirt and pants.” He looked into the baby’s face, and his facade saddened. “Sweetie, I know it’s cold, but that diaper has to come off.” The baby jabbered some unintelligible language.
April obeyed him, and he backed up six feet, eliminating the opportunity for hand-tohand combat. She laid the baby with her head nearly touching the car seat midway across. Her diaper-changing skills were at ground zero, but she managed and used a wet wipe to wash the baby’s face. “She is beautiful.”
“Thank you.” His voice shook. Maybe he was second-guessing his actions.
She needed him to trust her. “I’m ready to hear your explanation.”
Click to Read Chapter 3, Part 3!
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader's Choice, and Carol Award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian fiction books of 2014.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She's an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers.
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Thanks so much for hosting me! Really appreciate all you do for me and other authors.
ReplyDeleteAw <3 You are very welcome, Miss DiAnn =)
DeleteLove this excerpt! Really pulls you into the story.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThe story sounds very intriguing.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I like about small towns, there's always something sinister going on.
ReplyDeleteThis book looks really amazing! Adding it to my list
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the excerpt. I'm excited to read Burden of Proof.
ReplyDelete