Almost Home — Caroline Clemmons

After the death of his wife, Link Dixon moves back to his hometown of Cartersville, Texas with his young son, Jason, to the Victorian home Link inherited from his grandmother. He hopes being surrounded by extended family will help Jason change from the solemn boy he?s become. Link doesn?t begrudge leaving the Dallas PD where he worked for ten years because he and Jason both love their new home. Besides, he?d do anything to help Jason. The Dixon family is thrilled to have Link and Jason in town and Jason is gradually learning to smile again. Link?s wasted in his job as a deputy on night patrol, collaring drunks like his cousin, Virgil Lee, but it?s the only law enforcement position unless he leaves the county. At the end of Link?s first night on patrol, he?s approached secretly by an old DEA acquaintance who wants him to add to his deputy?s job that of undercover to find the killer of the man he?d be replacing. The kicker is that there may be a leak in the sheriff?s office--Link could be working with dirty cops. But he can?t refuse, this is Jason and his family?s home. He uncovers clues that lead to more questions. Link contacts an attorney friend from Dallas, Vince Bertolli, who has also recently relocated to Cartersville. When a second person dies, Link is framed for both murders. Help comes from an unexpected source, and Link escapes--helped by a life-long friend with a simple mind, Coy Cox. And then Link?s worst nightmare, Jason goes missing. Who would guess that cousin Virgil Lee would hold the key to retribution? Thomas Hardy said a man can never go home again. Almost home is close enough for Link Dixon.