Unforgivable

Everybody loves the compelling suspense novels of

LAURA GRIFFIN

UNFORGIVABLE

“Razor-sharp suspense, sizzling-hot romance!
Unforgivable
has “keeper shelf ” written all over it.”

—Cindy Gerard,
New York Times
bestselling author of the
Black Ops, Inc. series

UNSPEAKABLE

“A tight suspense with the sexiest of heroes and a protagonist seriously worth rooting for.”

—
Romantic Times
(4½ stars)

UNTRACEABLE

Winner of the 2010 Daphne du Maurier Award
for Best Romantic Suspense

“Taut drama and constant action… . Griffin keeps the suspense high and the pace quick. A perfect combination of forensic science, mystery, romance and action makes this series one to watch.”

—Publishers Weekly
(starred review)

“Top-notch romantic suspense! Fast pace, tight plotting, terrific mystery, sharp dialogue, fabulous characters … unforgettable.”

—
New York Times
bestselling author Allison Brennan

“The characters are top-notch, and their gradual romance— entrenched in mystery and suspense—leaves readers sighing contentedly… .”

—
Romantic Times
(4½ stars)

Unforgivable is also available as an eBook

WHISPER OF WARNING

2010 RITA Award Winner for
Best Romantic Suspense

“A perfectly woven and tense mystery with a sweet and compelling love story.”

—Romantic Times

“Filled with intrigue, murder and toe-curling passion … irresistible characters and a plot thick with danger … a sexy and suspenseful read… .”

—Romance Junkies

“A read you can’t put down. Will and Courtney have set off electric sparks that sizzle and burn throughout this tingling love story… .”

—Suzanne Coleburn, The Belles & Beaux of Romance

“Action, danger, and passion … a compellingly gripping story.”

—SingleTitles

“An exciting police procedural starring a wonderful cop and an intriguing ‘femme fatale.’ …”

—Genre Go Round Reviews

THREAD OF FEAR

“Suspense and romance—right down to the last page. What more could you ask for?” —Publishers Weekly Online

“Catapults you from bone-chilling to heartwarming to too hot to handle. Laura Griffin’s talent is fresh and daring.”

—
The Winter Haven
(FL)
News Chief

“A tantalizing suspense-filled thriller. Enjoy, but lock your doors.”

—Romance Reviews Today

ONE WRONG STEP

“Griffin’s characters are well developed, the narrative complex, and the dialogue skillfully written in this suspenseful romance.”

—Romantic Times

“
One Wrong Step
starts with a bang and never let’s up on the pace. Laura Griffin is an exceptionally talented author who has a knack for keeping her readers on the edge of their seats. The twists and turns of the story leave the LeMans racetrack in the dust.”

—
The Winter Haven
(FL)
News Chief

“Enjoyable, fast-paced romantic suspense.”

—Publishers Weekly Online

ONE LAST BREATH

“Laura Griffin hits all the right notes—compelling characters, unexpected twists, and a gripping story from the first gasp to the last sigh.”

—Bestselling romantic suspense author Roxanne St. Claire

“Heart-stopping intrigue and red-hot love scenes… .
One Last Breath
rocks!”

—
The Winter Haven
(FL)
News Chief

“An action-packed tale filled with passion and revenge.”

—
Romantic Times

“Griffin’s fully fleshed characters, dry humor and tight plotting make a fun read.”

—
Publishers Weekly

“This tasty debut mixes suspense and snappy humor with wonderful results.”

—
Affaire de Coeur

Also by Laura Griffin

UNSPEAKABLE

UNTRACEABLE

WHISPER OF WARNING

THREAD OF FEAR

ONE WRONG STEP

ONE LAST BREATH

Pocket Books A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. 1230 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 www.SimonandSchuster.com

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2010 by Laura Griffin

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Pocket Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

First Pocket Books paperback edition December 2010

POCKET BOOKS
and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or [email protected].

The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at
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.

Cover design by Jae Song

Cover photo © Jeremy Woodhouse

Manufactured in the United States of America

10   9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1

ISBN 978-1-4391-5296-6

ISBN 978-1-4391-6324-5 (ebook)

To Abby

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you to the many dedicated law enforcement professionals and forensic experts who shared their knowledge with me as I wrote this book, including Manuel Reyes, Ron Peterman, D. P. Lyle, Greg Moffatt, and Kyra Stull. Any mistakes here are entirely mine.

My appreciation also goes out to the hard-working team at Pocket Books, especially Ayelet Gruenspecht, Renee Huff, and Danielle Poiesz. Also, a heartfelt thanks to my agent, Kevan Lyon, and my ever-amazing editor, Abby Zidle.

Unforgivable

CHAPTER 1

Mia Voss needed a fix. Badly.

On a normal day, she would have stood strong against the temptation. But nothing about today had been normal, starting with the fact that it was January seventh and ending with the fact that for the first time in her life she’d actually been demoted.

Her stomach clenched as she turned into the Minute-Mart parking lot and eased her white Jeep Wrangler into a space near the door. Her cheeks warmed at the still-fresh memory of standing stiffly in her boss’s office, gazing down at his weasel face as he sat behind his desk, meting out criticism. At the time, she’d been stunned speechless, too shocked to defend herself. Only now— six hours too late—did all of the perfect rejoinders come tumbling into her head.

Mia jerked open the door to the convenience store and made a beeline for the freezer section. If ever a night called for Ben & Jerry’s, it was tonight. For the first Thursday night in months, she wasn’t stuck at the lab. For the first Thursday night in years, the only items demanding her attention were a sappy chick flick, a cozy blanket, and
a pint of butterfat. Tonight was for wallowing. Mia slid open the freezer door and plucked out a tub of Super Fudge Chunk. She tucked it under her arm, then grabbed a pint of Chunky Monkey as well. As long as she was sinning, why not sin big? That motto had gotten her into trouble on more than one occasion, but she continued to follow it.

“Doc Voss.”

She jumped and whirled around.

A bulky, balding man in a brown overcoat stood behind her. He crouched down to pick up the carton that had rolled across the aisle, then stood and held it out to her. “Good stuff, isn’t it?”

“Uh, yeah. Thanks.” She stared at him and tried to place him. He was a cop, she knew that much. But he wasn’t someone she’d seen recently, and she couldn’t pull a name from her memory banks.

“Not as good as mint chip, though.” His droll smile made him look grandfatherly. “My wife’s favorite.”

She noticed his shopping basket—two pints of mint chocolate chip and a six-pack of beer.