Into the Fire

Redaction is Book 12 of A Rachel Hatch Novel Series by L.T. Ryan and Brian Shea. 

And I don't know how I missed it! I read and reviewed Mirage (Book 13) here before I realized I'd missed Book 12.

Rachel Hatch is given what seems like an odd assignment by General Thorne who personally steps into a Talon conference to organize this special directive. (Talon is Hatch's workplace/a private security firm which holds a unique history for her.) Oddly enough it's to assist the already appointed security for a senator who's speaking in a smaller town meeting where there's been some serious property and water issues caused by a company who's been making threats to its citizens to acquire land and water rights. Once Hatch arrives and introduces herself to the cold shoulder of the head of the senator's security, she notes that the whole scene and venue seem off. When she makes a quick visit to see it for herself the night before his appearance, a strange individual not fitting the mode of everyone else currently present makes a quick exit after she spots him. When she walks outside to see where he went, she takes in the surroundings and finds the dangerous locations giving sightlines to an easy target for a sniper. 

The morning of the event Hatch mentions her concerns and is basically ignored. The crowd that gathers is a hostile audience, feeling the threats of their properties and water rights being commandeered by an outside company. When the senator doesn't give the reassurances they need, things get heated and the senator is rushed toward his vehicle. Hatch hears the unmistakable shot and the senior aide to the senator goes down. Hoping to save him, Hatch applies pressure to his wound but the shot was perfect. His last word is "Maggie." 

This sets the stage for the local Sheriff Tuck and Hatch to form an alliance and a private search for the sniper. Hatch's orders change and the intel she gets from two of her Talon associates collide with the narrative she was originally given. Since she trusts them more than she trusts Thorne, everything in the search changes. 

Intensity, struggles, surprises, and a great ending follow all the deceptions about who's who and what's really going on.

Highly Recommend the A Rachel Hatch Novel Series. 

(Some profanity.)  

Father, as I always say, you know hearts and minds and only you save us. Please bless L.T. and Brian and give them more stories you have just for them to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.