<B>Gene Hackman, acclaimed actor and author of <I>Payback at Morning Peak,</I> “takes aim at a clear target: telling a good story” (<I>St. Augustine Record</I>) in this contemporary thriller.</B><p>As one of the few women in the Missouri State Criminal Investigation Unit, Sgt. Juliette Worth knows that she has to work harder and better just to be considered “one of the boys.” Operating strictly by the book has been her watchword for fifteen years—until the day she finds herself in the midst of a hostage situation gone wrong. Sure, she saved the hostage and killed the gunman, but she didn’t do it by the book, and the department needs to make an example of her.<BR><BR>Banished to cold case duty, Juliette uncovers a group of unsolved disappearances in the area—all pretty girls, until now presumed to be runaways. But something doesn’t add up, and as she digs further, signs point to something far more sinister. When Juliette’s own daughter is abducted, the case is suddenly red hot once more—and Juliette will have to be the best cop she’s ever been if she wants to get her daughter back.