There's more to this case than meets the eye . . . Trish Bailey is on overload trying to deal with a demanding job, an ailing mother, and a healing heart. When a series of unsettling memory lapses leads to a tragic death--and puts Trish under police scrutiny--her world is once again thrown into turmoil. Detective Colin Flynn isn't certain what to think of the facts he uncovers during his investigation. Did Trish simply make a terrible mistake or is there more to the case than meets the eye? As he searches for answers, disturbing information begins to emerge--and if the forces at work are as evil as he suspects, the situation isn't just dangerous . . . it's deadly. Trish Bailey is on overload trying to deal with a demanding job, an ailing mother, and a healing heart. When a series of unsettling memory lapses leads to a tragic death--and puts Trish under police scrutiny--her world is once again thrown into turmoil. Detective Colin Flynn isn't certain what to think of the facts he uncovers during his investigation. Did Trish simply make a terrible mistake or is there more to the case than meets the eye? As he searches for answers, disturbing information begins to emerge--and if the forces at work are as evil as he suspects, the situation isn't just dangerous . . . it's deadly. Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon will capture your imagination with a mind-bending story that will have you doubling back to retrace your steps--and figure out what you missed! What the Critics Are Saying "Hannon expertly writes characters who embody human vulnerability and strength." --Publishers Weekly on Tangled Webs "Edge-of-your-seat suspense." --Christian Library Journal on Tangled Webs "An ideal blend of romance and intrigue."-- Booklist on Buried Secrets "Hannon is a master at her craft."-- RT Book Reviews on Thin Ice "A stunning masterpiece."-- Killer Nashville on Thin Ice "Just the right amount of suspense, danger, and deception." --New York Journal of Books on Trapped Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than fifty novels, including Buried Secrets , Thin Ice , and Tangled Webs , as well as the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. In addition to many other honors, she is a seven-time finalist for and three-time winner of the prestigious RITA® Award from Romance Writers of America. Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than 65 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA's elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Learn more at IreneHannon.com. Dangerous Illusions By Irene Hannon Baker Publishing Group Copyright © 2017 Irene Hannon All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-8007-2767-3 CHAPTER 1 ONE WEEK LATER At the peal of the doorbell, Trish Bailey looked up from the lesson plan she was preparing. "Matt's here." Her mother adjusted the afghan thrown over her legs. "Punctual, as usual." "One of his many virtues." Here we go again. Expelling a breath, Trish set her paperwork on the sofa beside her and stood. "Do you want to meet with him in the kitchen?" "Yes. He's handsome too." Best to ignore that as well. She moved toward the door, stopping to rest a hand on her mom's shoulder as she passed the wheelchair. "Can I get you anything while I'm up?" "No. I'm fine." Hardly. But Eileen Coulter had never been a complainer — before the car accident two years ago, or since. She gave her mother's arm a gentle squeeze. "I'll be right back." "After we finish, nap for me. Matt might stay for cake." Although the words were stroke-garbled, the meaning was clear. Her mom wanted her to stop mourning and start living again — a message the older woman had been communicating with increasing frequency over the past few weeks. "We'll see." "Means no." "It means maybe." Without giving her mother an opportunity to press the issue, she crossed the living room to the foyer. Her parents' accountant was nice ... and she'd enjoyed the lunch he'd suggested a couple of weeks ago ... but she was in no hurry to dip her toes back into romance. Besides, much as she liked Matt, there was zero zing. Not like there'd been with John from the first moment they'd met. But perhaps that kind of instant attraction, that immediate feeling of simpatico, only came along once in a lifetime. The bell rang again, and she picked up her pace — and propped up her spirits. She wasn't going to sink back into the morass of self-pity she'd languished in for the first few months after the accident. If her mother, who'd suffered far more, could carry on with a cheery spirit, she would too. Trish straightened her shoulders, tugged the hem of her tunic down over her leggings, and summoned up a smile