SIGNUP for R.J. Patterson's newsletter to be the first to know about sales, free books, new releases, and other behind-the-scenes information on forthcoming book projects: Click here to sign up What Others Are Saying About R.J. Patterson “Jack’s storytelling feels as natural as James Patterson’s, and the short-chapter setup is the literary answer to Lay’s potato chips: you just want one more and before you know it, you’ve gone through the whole thing. - David Bashore,The Times-News, Twin Falls, ID “R.J. Patterson does a fantastic job at keeping you engaged and interested. I look forward to more from this talented author.” - Aaron Patterson, bestselling author of SWEET DREAMS “Patterson has a mean streak about a mile wide and puts his two main characters through quite a horrible ride, which makes for good reading.” - Richard D., reader “Like a John Grisham novel, from the very start I was pulled right into the story and couldn’t put the book down. It was as if I personally knew and cared about what happened to each of the main characters. Every chapter ended with so much excitement and suspense I had to continue to read until I learned how it ended, even though it kept me up until 3:00 A.M. - Ray F., reader DEAD SHOT “Small town life in southern Idaho might seem quaint and idyllic to some. But when local newspaper reporter Cal Murphy begins to uncover a series of strange deaths that are linked to a sticky spider web of deception, the lid on the peaceful town is blown wide open. Told with all the energy and bravado of an old pro, first-timer R.J. Patterson hits one out of the park his first time at bat with Dead Shot. It’s that good.” -Vincent Zandri, bestselling author of THE REMAINS “You can tell R.J. knows what it’s like to live in the newspaper world, but with Dead Shot, he’s proven that he also can write one heck of a murder mystery. With a clever plot and characters you badly want to succeed, he is on his way to becoming a new era James Patterson.” - Josh Katzowitz, NFL writer for CBSSports.com & author of Sid Gillman: Father of the Passing Game DEAD LINE “This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I didn’t really want to put it down. R.J. Patterson has hooked me. I’ll be back for more.” - Bob Behler 3-time Idaho broadcaster of the year and play-by-play voice for Boise State football DEAD IN THE WATER “In Dead in the Water, R.J. Patterson accurately captures the action-packed saga of a what could be a real-life college football scandal. The sordid details will leave readers flipping through the pages as fast as a hurry-up offense.” - Mark Schlabach, ESPN college sports columnist and co-author of Called to Coach Heisman: The Man Behind the Trophy Other titles by R.J. Patterson Brady Hawk series First Strike Deep Cover Point of Impact Full Blast Target Zero Fury State of Play Seige Seek and Destroy Into the Shadows Hard Target No Way Out Cal Murphy Thriller series Dead Shot Dead Line Better off Dead Dead in the Water Dead Man's Curve Dead and Gone Dead Wrong Dead Man's Land Dead Drop Dead to Rights Dead End James Flynn Thriller series The Warren Omissions Imminent Threat The Cooper Affair Seeds of War SEEK AND DESTROY A Brady Hawk Thriller R.J. PATTERSON For Don, an incredible mentor and an even greater friend CHAPTER 1 Istanbul, Turkey BRADY HAWK CREPT DOWN THE SIDEWALK with Shane Samuels a few feet behind him. Using the natural cover of the tree limbs growing overhead, Hawk and Samuels remained in the shadows and out of view from the sparse streetlights. The precautionary exercise seemed unnecessary given that the time was just past 2:00 a.m. But considering the target of the operation, Hawk insisted they couldn’t be careful enough. The aim of their mission was to break into the home of Bartu Kemal, whose house was situated along a hill near Emigran Park and provided a breathtaking vista of the Bosphorus Strait. Officially, Kemal was a security guard at a small research facility located in downtown Istanbul. But after admiring the posh neighborhood and all it provided, Hawk wondered just how many people were falling for Kemal’s lie. The truth about Kemal’s occupation explained how he could afford such a place. But keeping his identity a secret was paramount to his success in his daily task of keeping Katarina Petrov and The Chamber offices safe. Hawk and Samuels reached the edge of the property and leapt over the fence. They stole across the yard and headed to the back where Hawk determined they would lie in wait. “Are you sure about this plan?” Samuels whispered. “Every night at 2:15 a.m., without fail,” Alex Duncan chimed in over the coms. “It’s those details that make your sister the best operational commander in the world,” Hawk said as he eyed Samuels. “Let’s watch that hyperbole there, Hawk,” Alex said, pausing before she continued. “Best operational commander in the universe.” Hawk looked at his partner, whose eyes were still trained on the house. “After all these years, you suddenly find out you have a sister and then you quickly learn she’s insufferable,” Hawk said. Samuels nodded toward the back door. “I think I see some movement.” The back door creaked open and out bounded a Maltese. Hawk watched as the fluffy white dog bounced around the yard before venturing into the shadows to take care of business. “Now,” Hawk whispered. Samuels then tossed a dog treat near Kemal’s pet and waited. “Come on, girl,” Hawk said underneath his breath. The dog scratched around in the dirt and circled around several times. “What’s the backup plan?” Samuels asked. “That is Berk’s favorite treat,” Alex said over the coms. “Just be patient. She’ll go for it.” “The dog’s name is Berk?” Samuels asked incredulously. “It’s a Turkish dog, bro. Not all of them are given American names like Oscar or Timmy.” “Who names a dog Timmy?” Samuels asked. “Me. That was my last dog’s name,” she said. “Timmy? Really?” “Dang right. Best Yorkie on the planet.” Hawk watched as the dog noticed the treat and bounded toward it. He tapped Samuels on the shoulder. Yanking
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