Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes

Kate Devereau wakes up in the hospital …

unable to speak or move after a brutal attack by her ex-husband.

Her brain has shut down, refusing to remember her dark and disturbing past.

A past that conceals a web of painful secrets.

Can she gradually piece her shattered life back together,

Or will she discover that her nightmare is far from over?

Excerpt from Out of Time

Kate refused to buy a white wedding dress. In her mind, it wasn’t a proper wedding, so there would be no need for all the frills. They were trying to trap a sadistic killer, and it wouldn’t be a particularly pleasant day.

She had to wear something to look the part, so she chose an elegant dress and jacket in her favourite colour, a delicate shade of turquoise. The Snowman’s only stipulation was it had to accommodate a mobile phone. Something she had no use for but it would have a tracking device built in.

Michael’s remark played on her mind, and she wondered why he had insisted the ceremony not be actual. Wasn’t this something he wanted all along? Or had he gone off the idea, or herself, for that matter? He had been quiet lately, and she couldn’t encourage him to talk about anything much. He was worried, but as the Snowman had all the bases covered, he should know they would be safe now.

The day of the ceremony fast approached, but Sam was the only one getting excited. Kate couldn’t wait for it to be over. She wanted Jack Holland out of her life, behind bars and her freedom back. After all he had done, the fact he still walked around made no sense. The desire to run away was still strong in her mind, but whether she would or not remained to be seen.

Sam talked about the gallery and Kate’s artwork all the time, so she had some interesting options.

‘At least someone is coming up with sensible plans for the future, Kate.’

As much as Kate resented the voice and its sarcastic quips, she had to agree with it on this one.

The Snowman made an appearance earlier to tell them Jack Holland’s whereabouts would always be known. Even he seemed pleased that events were beginning to go his way for once. Kate wanted to ask why they still had to go through with the charade but decided not to, as he would have his reasons.

Michael stayed in his room, engrossed in the game console. Something he had been doing a lot lately. Kate wondered if he disliked Sam for some reason or if he could be avoiding her? What had happened to his abiding love? Gone the way of hers, she thought, with more than a little amusement. She toyed with the idea of annoying him for want of something better to do but didn’t care enough to bother. The next few days should be interesting, she thought.

The Snowman’s plans were meticulous and well thought out. He wanted them to behave like any other romantic couple. Attending the wedding rehearsal and showing their faces around town, always with a discreet police escort, of course. They had to look like they didn’t have a care in the world, but Kate didn’t think Jack would be fooled. It would be difficult to put a smile on her face…