Pocket, Dec 2004, 6.99, 384 pp.
ISBN: 0743427319
San Francisco police officer Jessie Cline worries about her eleven years old son Danny living in an unsafe neighborhood. After a harrowing incident, she wonders who would care for him if she was killed as her son's father denies the child is his because Jessie had an affair at about the time she became pregnant. When she learns that she inherited property on Washington's Cliff Island, Jessie decides to fulfill the will's stipulation that she live there at least a year. Jessie also becomes Assistant Police Chief.
Jessie is required to keep Lynda, the pregnant wife of famous cartoonist Ben Thrasher, safe. Ben was in the news for his social commentary about an alleged womanizing senator. He was the Berkley professor who Jessie had that affair with that ended her marriage.
Someone burns down Jessie's woodshed and she receives a threatening letter to leave or die. Lynda tells Jessie that someone forced her off the road while a driver tries to hit Danny. More incidents follow aimed at Jessie, Lynda, and Danny; the link is Ben, but no motive surfaces and the danger mounts.
Harriet Klausner
This report prepared by Harriet Klausner
