Edge of Black. J.T. Ellison

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      The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides

      Dr. Samantha Owens is starting over: new city, new job, new man, new life. She’s trying to put some distance between herself and the devastating loss of her husband and children—but old hurts leave scars.

      Before she’s even unpacked her office at Georgetown University’s forensic pathology department, she’s called to consult on a case that’s rocked the capital and the country. An unknown pathogen released into the Washington Metro has caused nationwide panic. Three people died—just three.

      A miracle and a puzzle...

      Amid the media frenzy and Homeland Security alarm bells, Sam painstakingly dissects the lives of those three victims and makes an unsettling conclusion. This is no textbook terrorist causing mayhem with broad strokes, but an artist wielding a much finer, more pointed instrument of destruction. An assassin, whose motive is deeply personal and far from understandable.

      Xander Whitfield, a former Army Ranger and Sam’s new boyfriend, knows about seeing the world in shades of gray. About feeling compelled to do the wrong thing for the right reasons. Only his disturbing kinship with a killer can lead Sam to the truth...and once more into the line of fire.

      Praise for J.T. Ellison

      ‘Scintillating… Suspenseful… Startling…’

       Publishers Weekly

      ‘Mystery fiction has a new name to watch.’

       John Connolly, New York Times bestselling author

      ‘Tennessee has a new dark poet.’

       —Julia Spencer-Fleming

      ‘J.T. Ellison’s debut novel rocks.’

       Allison Brennann, New York Times bestselling author of Fear No Evil

      ‘Creepy thrills from start to finish’

       James O. Born, author of Burn Zone

      ‘Fast-paced and creepily believable…gritty, grisly and a great read’

       M.J. Rose, internationally bestselling author of The Reincarnationist

      ‘A turbo-charged thrill ride of a debut’

       Julia Spencer-Fleming, Edgar Award finalist and author of All Mortal Flesh

      ‘Fans of Sandford, Cornwell and Reichs will relish every page.’

       J.A. Konrath, author of Dirty Martini

      ‘Shocking suspense, compelling characters and fascinating forensic details’

       —Lisa Gardner, New York Times bestselling author of Catch Me

      ‘A Deeper Darkness has everything I love in a thriller: stunning twists and shocks, fascinating forensics and heroines I deeply cared about. J.T. Ellison is one of the best writers in the game.’

       —Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Girl

      J.T. ELLISON is a bestselling author based in Nashville, Tennessee. She writes the Taylor Jackson and Samantha Owens series, which have been published in more than twenty countries. Visit her website, www.JTEllison.com, for more information or follow her on Twitter @Thrillerchick.

      Also by J.T. Ellison A DEEPER DARKNESS*

      ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS

      14

      JUDAS KISS

      THE COLD ROOM

      THE IMMORTALS

      SO CLOSE THE HAND OF DEATH

      WHERE ALL THE DEAD LIE

      *A Samantha Owens novel

      Edge of Black

      J.T. Ellison

       www.mirabooks.co.uk

      For Sherrie Saint—whose twisted mind is a writer’s delight,

      and, as always, for my Randy.

      Contents

       Praise for J.T. Ellison

       About the Author

       Title Page

       Dedication

       Epigraph

       TUESDAY

       Chapter 1

       Chapter 2

       Chapter 3

       Chapter 4

       Chapter 5

       Chapter 6

       Chapter 7

       Chapter 8

       Chapter 9

       Chapter 10

       Chapter 11

       Chapter 12

       Chapter 13

       WEDNESDAY

       Chapter 14

       Chapter 15

       Chapter 16

       Chapter 17

       Chapter 18

       Chapter 19

       Chapter 20

       Chapter 21