Release Day Blitz - The Davidson Case @authorgilbert

Chapter 5
Timely Arrival

A second, more insistent, knock sounded.

“I’m coming! Goodness, you make me wait up half the night and then expect me to jump when you’re ready,” Joy grumbled. “You’re late!” she scolded, swinging the door open.

Only it wasn’t Ann.

Joy gasped and tried to close the door, but it jammed against the man’s foot and remained open. After an eternally long second, it finally registered that she ought be screaming her head off. Her neighbors—with the exception of deaf Mrs. Hines—would have no excuse for not hearing her through the thin walls. Joy sucked in a deep breath.

“Oh no you don’t,” said the man. His gloved hand clamped firmly over Joy’s mouth as he hissed, “None of that.”

Petrified, Joy stumbled back. Her assailant stepped in with her and flicked the door closed with a foot. He must have hit it too hard because it bounced open a crack.

God, help!

“You’re too nosy for your own good. It’s nothing personal, lady.”

Joy launched herself backward, catching the man off guard, but he tripped her. Her breath rushed out, so she couldn’t scream. But she could move, so she did. Scrambling to the kitchen area with the stranger close behind, Joy resisted the urge to grab a knife. Spotting the microwave plate, she snatched it up from the drying rack. By this time, the assailant clutched a kitchen knife.

As he lunged, Joy wielded the microwave plate like a left-handed batter and smashed his right hand.

The knife clattered across the kitchen floor.

The man howled and smacked her with his good hand. His eyes blazed with fury.

Joy crashed into a counter and fell stunned to the floor. She climbed to her feet shakily in time to see the man pick up a chair. Ducking, Joy held up her hands defensively but the meager defense offered little protection from the chair hurtling toward her head.

Fortunately, the refrigerator took the brunt of the damage.

The flimsy wooden chair shattered to jagged pieces.

The man laughed in triumph now holding only one chair leg.

Eyes wide with horror, Joy watched the assailant’s weapon arc toward her head. She experienced an explosion of pain, then nothing.

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"Like hot sauce it is!" - Joy - Releases Tomorrow @authorgilbert

Chapter 4

Handle It

The afternoon hours flew by as Joy helped Dr. Miles handle one patient after another in rapid succession. She was her usual cheerful, competent self. As closing time came around, she noticed Dr. Miles becoming quiet and peevish.

“Are you feeling all right, Dr. Miles?” Joy inquired. “Can I get you something? A cold water perhaps?” Without waiting for him to answer, she rushed to the tiny break room and fetched a bottle of water from the common supply.

When she came back, Dr. Miles abruptly stopped filling out Dasher’s file. A dozen emotions flitted across his face, but finally, he settled on anger and sorrow. “You’re fired,” he said, turning back to the file.

The comment blindsided Joy. She stood in the doorway repeating the words in her mind.

You’re fired. You’re fired. You’re fired.

“What?” Joy asked, certain she had heard something wrong. “You can’t do that, sir.”

Dr. Miles ignored her but had the grace to blush.

Both of them knew she had a point.

“What did I do? Don’t I get two weeks notice? What happened? Why?” This last question contained absolute bewilderment. Tears burned Joy’s eyes, but she held them in check by focusing on her anger. Knowing she had to go on the offensive or fall to emotional pieces, Joy cleared her throat. Despite her best efforts, her voice still

shook. “You owe me an explanation, Dr. Miles.”

“You’re fired. That’s everything you need to know!”

Anger was etched on every line of his face, but somehow Joy knew the anger wasn’t directed at her. This left her even more confused and hurt.

“Like hot sauce it is!”

“I need a dog … or a man” - Joy - 2 Days @authorgilbert

Chapter 2
Dangerous Secrets

The memory of the crisis that had forced her to tuck her phone in an examining room drawer made her smile. Mrs. Blair’s miniature poodle, Dennis, had clearly taken exception to getting a shot. Mrs. Blair, who had been holding Dennis, started when he howled in her ear. Suddenly free, Dennis tried to escape. Joy had tossed her phone in the drawer for safe keeping and expertly caught Dennis as he leapt for the sink. In the excitement, she had forgotten her phone. Since her budget precluded having a house phone and a cell phone, Joy needed to turn around.

Returning to the clinic, Joy parked her car and silently cheered the presence of Dr. Miles’s car in its customary spot. That meant the doors would still be unlocked.

I thought he was right behind me.

Joy wasted no time getting to the side entrance. She hesitated, noting the quiet.

What'd you expect to find after hours?

Nevertheless, her heart beat faster.

I’ll just get in and get out.

Joy tip-toed through the clinic’s blank corridors, found the right room, located her phone, and turned to leave. As she reached the side entrance, the sound of Dr. Miles’ angry voice stopped her.

“I told you I’d take care of it!”

Joy froze mid-stride. Hearing his voice raised like that scared

her. Mentally berating herself for eavesdropping, Joy strained to hear more.

“She merely looked at the files! It means nothing. I’m only telling you because you so nicely requested I tell you every time my employees dare to breathe!” His sarcasm accentuated his anger. “No! Everything’s under control. I mean it. Look, this is getting us nowhere. Keep out of it!” Dr. Miles hissed.

Joy took that as a cue to leave. Her heart did double time the whole way to her car and didn’t slow down until she was halfway home. Luckily, the remaining trip to her new apartment passed peacefully. Joy knew she should puzzle through the strange conversation, but she didn’t want to deal with anything work related. Instead, she began preparations for a lonely dinner.

How did Ann stand living alone for so many years?

Joy thought of her sister’s beautiful Golden Retriever.

Of course, she had Danny.

“I need a dog … or a man.” Noting the order, Joy chuckled. 

Check it out in 3 Days - The Davidson Case @AuthorGilbert

Chapter 1
Day Off 

Precisely on time, Ethan Vincher entered the bank looking surprisingly like his picture. His plain face resembled half a dozen men Ann knew, including her husband and Agent Dodger. Vincher wore his dark hair in a crew cut and had narrow, alert, dark eyes.

Ann watched him surreptitiously. As per the plan, the teller handed Ann an envelope and bid her good day. Ann thanked the woman, tucked the envelope into her purse, and turned to confront her quarry. Their eyes locked and things went wrong.

Glaring, the man reached into his jacket and pulled out a tiny, plastic pistol.

The teller screamed and ducked, and every agent gasped. Ann reacted instantly. Stepping forward, she caught the man’s hand. A brief struggle ensued, but Ann won because five other agents expertly tackled both her and the target. Her breath left in a hurry.

Guns drawn and ties askew, Baker and Dodger charged out of the manager’s office. It took half a minute to sort through the mess of arms and legs. In the end, the criminal was cuffed, and Ann had her choice of a dozen hands ready to help her to her feet.

“I’m sorry!” Agent Baker blurted before Ann had even caught her breath. “I—I didn’t know. I wouldn’t have asked if—”

“Calm yourself, Baker,” Ann ordered. She grinned, having long since learned how to smile seconds after having a gun pulled on her. “It’s not your fault, but your assessments of Mr. Vincher’s behavior patterns need some reworking.”

Baker nodded vigorously. “I’ll get my team on it right away. Really, I’m sorry—”

“I’m sorry too,” Agent Dodger added. “This is mostly my fault with the stupid bet and all.”

“Really, guys, I’m fine. God hasn’t decided He wants me home yet. Besides, it’s not the first time I’ve been tackled on the job,” Ann said, shrugging. “Listen, you can make it up to me by getting me a full report ASAP, okay?”

Both men nodded like agreeable boys.

Cover Reveal | The Davidson Case: Book 3 by Julie C. Gilbert @AuthorGilbert

The Davidson Case

Heartfelt Cases: Book 3
Author: Julie C. Gilbert

Genre: Christian Mystery

Release Date: May 2014
Presented by: As You Wish Tours

BLURB

Somebody wants her sister dead …

FBI Special Agent Ann Duncan knows how to face down danger, but once again, she’s not the target. Her baby sister, Joy Davidson, has stumbled upon a conspiracy and made some powerful enemies.

Luck and God’s grace help Ann save her sister the first time, but she knows the bad guys will try again. With Patrick on a university tour and perhaps the most important case of her career weighing upon her mind, Ann must find the strength, wisdom, and heart to find out who wants her sister dead, what Joy discovered, and how to stop the conspirators. Ann instinctively knows that if she fails the Davidson case will only be the first of many tragedies.

About the Author
Julie mainly confines her writing to three genres: Christian inspirational, YA real-world science fiction, and normal science fiction. 

She likes teaching, writing, reading, sleeping, doing puzzles, and hanging out with friends. (Not necessarily in that order)

Writing has made her super picky about the things she reads but normally, her reading list includes something that fits under the thriller, mystery, science fiction, or fantasy.

Occasionally, she attempts short poetry. The poems turn into songs, which she sings with abandon when nobody's looking.

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The Kiverson Case (Heartfelt Cases: Book 2)

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