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    She’d had dreams of the gunman in the alley night after night when she first arrived in Crescent City. It had taken her months to realize that he probably wasn’t coming after her. Whatever Goodwill had wanted from her had died with her dad.
    But what if she was wrong? What if there was someone out there still looking for her?
    â€œAndy, I’m sorry. I just can’t.”
    â€œDanielle, I know this isn’t easy for you, but I’m begging you. Please. There’s no one else even remotely qualified to fill in for me, and there’s no one else to look after Mom. I have to go.”
    Taking a deep, calming breath, she said, “Let me think about it a little while. I’ll call you back.”
    After hanging up, she plopped onto a kitchen chair and stared at the receiver in her hand. What could Andy possibly be thinking asking her to teach a class?
    He was her best friend. Her only friend. And she really wanted to help him.
    But it meant putting a big target on her back.
    Hanging her head, so low that her chin rested on her chest and her brown locks fell in front of her face, she rubbed the ends between her fingers thinking about everything she’d done to disguise herself. The short hair, which she’d promptly dyed a deep chestnut color after leaving Portland. The colored contacts to cover her uniquely golden eyes. She’d even dropped about fifteen pounds.
    That had been by accident, of course. Too much stress and she couldn’t eat.
    She was barely recognizable as Nora Marie James—even to herself.
    So why am I afraid that someone else will recognize me?
    Deep in her heart she heard a voice telling her that she didn’t have to be afraid. She knew that voice, trusted it, but still… “God, if You want me to do this for Andy, You’ll have to give me the strength.”
    As she fell silent, an inexplicable peace filled her heart, and she knew that she could do this for Andy—no matter the cost.
    Â 
    As Nate strolled the ten short blocks from his apartment to downtown Crescent City, brightly colored posters adorned the window of every barber shop and country store. He stopped to read one. Immediately a middle-aged man in an apron walked to the open door of his woodworking business.
    Nodding to the vibrant poster, he asked, “You in a band? I hear they’re still looking for groups for the battle of the bands at the college.”
    The other man’s eyes traveled up the road, and Nate’s gaze immediately followed. “Nope. Just curious about what’s going on.”
    â€œThere’s a big bulletin board up at the quad at the college. They post just about everything happening in town there.”
    â€œDo you know if they’re still accepting students?”
    The little man pointed a stubby finger at another flyer, which announced that college registration was still open, and community members were welcome to sign up for two more days.
    If he weren’t consumed with the task before him, he would have liked to see what some of the other postersoffered—theater, concerts and martial arts classes—but he didn’t have time for any of that. Crescent City wasn’t a vacation destination. Nora James was his sole reason for being here. He had to find her—and the Shadow.
    Doubt flickered through his mind for a split second. What if Nora wasn’t here? What if this entire mission was a wild-goose chase?
    He shook his head and tried to clear away his misgivings. He’d done exactly what he was supposed to. He’d followed the only tip they had. Better to send someone after the girl than let the Shadow have her without a fight.
    â€œThanks,” he said, waving to the man, as he headed farther into town.
    As the special agent in charge of the Portland bureau office, Nate didn’t get much field time anymore, and he missed it. Most days overflowed with paperwork and bureaucratic meetings. The wind