For Kerry Murphy, the inferno is never far away. The flames of that long-ago night still burn in her nightmares: the heat, the choking smoke, the helplessness. She can never run fast enough... In this explosive psychological thriller, Kerry Murphy, a gifted arson investigator haunted by her mother's death in a fire, teams up with a mysterious operative Silver to stop a psychopath determined to set the world on fire. Assisted by her loveable dog Sam, she soon discovers that in order to catch him, she must put her secret weapon to the test - a prospect that terrifies her more than anything.
This isn't the end of it, Brad." Cameron Devers's lips tightened with irritation. "I've no intention of standing by and watching you waste your potential working with those damn nutcases. You're one of the most brilliant men I know and I have a job for you here."
"Where you can keep an eye on me?" Brad grinned as he leaned lazily back in the chair and stretched his legs out before him. "It wouldn't do you any good. I'm a lost cause."
"Only because you want to be. And it's not good for you. You're burning yourself out. Look at you. You've lost weight since I saw you last."
"A little. I've had a rough four months."
"Then give it up and come to me."
"And do what? If I were anywhere close to you, the media would eventually ferret out our connection. Besides, you can't trust me. I'd get mad and open my mouth at the wrong time and blow your political career." His smile faded. "I've done a hell of a lot of harm to you in these last years, but I won't do that."
"I'd chance it. I've been in the Senate for twelve years and if my reputation can be damaged by just having you around, then maybe it's time I stepped down."
"No!" Brad paused and then tempered his tone. "Look, Cam, don't be an ass. Everything's going fine. We don't need to change anything." He stood up and glanced around the elegant, book-lined library that breathed wealth and solidity. "This isn't my world. You can't squeeze me into your mold because you want me to share the good life." He smiled. "Besides, what would Charlotte say?"
"She'd come around. She just has some weird ideas about you."
Brad looked at him inquiringly.
Cam made a face. "She says you make her uneasy. She thinks you're . . . sinister."
"She used that word? I didn't think anyone could make your wife uneasy. Maybe I'm more intimidating than I thought."
"She doesn't understand you. Like I said, she'll come around."
"There's no reason to force her to make the effort. Things are fine as they are."
Cam was silent a moment. "Did it ever occur to you that I'm being selfish? I've missed you, Brad."
He meant it. Cam was always honest. "Oh, shit. Don't do this to me." Brad shook his head. "I've missed you too. Maybe we can arrange to get together more often."
"That's not good enough. I've been looking at my life since that horror on September eleventh, and when it all comes down to the bottom line, it's friends and family that count. I won't let you walk away again."
"Cam." Charlotte Devers was standing in the doorway, sleek and sophisticated in a black gown. "I didn't want to disturb you, but we're going to be late for the embassy dinner." She smiled at Brad. "You and Cam can talk when we get back."
He shook his head. "I'm just leaving, anyway."
"No, you're not," Cameron said firmly. "I'll only be gone a few hours and I want you here when I get back."
"Perhaps tomorrow?" Charlotte suggested. "I've had a room prepared for you, Brad."
As usual, Charlotte was trying to control the situation with gentle skill, Brad thought. She wanted Cam to leave and she didn't want him to talk to Brad until she could find a discreet way to ease Brad out on his ass. Well, he couldn't blame her. She valued Cam's career more than his brother did and was always on guard to protect it.
"I'm not going anywhere until you make me a promise." Cam stared Brad in the eye. "Will you be here?"
Brad glanced at the faint frown between Charlotte's eyes and then smiled slyly. "You couldn't budge me."
"Great." Cam slapped him on the shoulder before turning away. "Come on,...
Kerry Murphy's entire life is consumed with fire-fighting, the effect of a childhood fire that killed her mother. Her sixth sense about arson is both a blessing and a curse, and when she teams up with Silver, who has an uncanny ability to read other people's minds, the sparks fly as they set out to identify a clever fire-starter. Bernadette Dunne turns in a mixed performance. The men's voices, the weakest element, are a bit of a stretch. And Kerry's Southern accent is at times pronounced, at times nonexistent. However, despite some trite dialogue and weak writing, Dunne manages to draw listeners into the story with an emotional reading. Once engaged, they'll be hard-pressed to stop listening. S.S.R. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly...
"[A] rip-roaring thriller ... just might increase the sale of fire extinguishers."
The Daily News (NY)...
"Terrific romantic suspense ... While there are sparks of romantic tension in FIRESTORM, it's the hunt itself that's so consuming."
