My Wife Is Missing(115)
Mr. Oman’s feet kicked out wildly, his legs bicycling in midair, desperate to find purchase. The pain against his throat was unlike anything he could imagine, and he had imagined the worst. He regretted his decision, regretted every damn thing about his life, but there was no turning back now.
His feet barely grazing the side of the only thing of value he owned: a beautiful, still shiny, red Ford Mustang Cobra. A common car back then was a collectible now, but he’d kept it parked in the garage at his mother’s house since the day that boy, Joseph, saw him driving it away. Nobody ever came looking for that car, or for him. They had their person. They had Joseph.
Constriction reduced his windpipe to the size of a pea. He couldn’t take in any air. Blackness soon filled his eyes. His feet stopped kicking.
As the Bible fell from his lifeless grasp, a picture within slipped out from the pages. It floated in the air, hovering it seemed, light as a feather, wafting its way downward, the face of Brianna Sykes gazing up to the heavens, beautiful, glorious, youthful, resplendent.
Forever sixteen.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I welcome an opportunity to thank those who offered help, often in unexpected ways, in the creation of this work of fiction. In addition to my editor and steadfast supporter, Jennifer Enderlin, deepest thanks to:
Meg Ruley and Rebecca Sheer for always being sounding boards and trusted guides.
Jane Berkey for making JRA the agency of choice for the Palmer family.
Michael Palmer for his continued influence on my life and work.
Judy Palmer for her guidance, unwavering support, a commitment to helping me be the very best, and Richard Glantz for his fatherly wisdom and help.
Kathleen Miller for helping to open my heart to new possibilities and bringing invaluable energy, creativity, and insights to this novel.
Sue Miller for her careful read and remarkable attention to detail.
Zoe Quinton who helps make sure my words ring true. Same goes for Lani Meyer, copy editor extraordinaire.
The team at SMP—Danielle, Sarah, Sally, Christina, Lisa, and Paul who do all they can to support my novels.
My friends Erik Olsen, Don Dilego, Danielle Girard, Brad Parks, Phil Redman, Erin Copland, and Tom Wolfinger, who have been there for me in the best of times, and the worst.
My brothers, Matthew, Ethan, and Luke, and my aunt Donna who always have my back.
My children, Benjamin and Sophie, for giving my life shape, meaning, and unwavering purpose.
And of course to my readers who make all this possible.