Title page

H E R L A S T

W I S H

(A Rachel Gift MysteryBook One)

B L A K E P I E R C E

Blake Pierce

Blake Pierce is the USA Today bestselling author of the RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seventeen books. Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising fourteen books; of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising six books; of the KERI LOCKE mystery series, comprising five books; of the MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE mystery series, comprising six books; of the KATE WISE mystery series, comprising seven books; of the CHLOE FINE psychological suspense mystery, comprising six books; of the JESSIE HUNT psychological suspense thriller series, comprising nineteen books; of the AU PAIR psychological suspense thriller series, comprising three books; of the ZOE PRIME mystery series, comprising six books; of the ADELE SHARP mystery series, comprising thirteen books; of the EUROPEAN VOYAGE cozy mystery series, comprising six books (and counting); of the new LAURA FROST FBI suspense thriller, comprising five books (and counting); of the new ELLA DARK FBI suspense thriller, comprising six books (and counting); of the A YEAR IN EUROPE cozy mystery series, comprising nine books (and counting); of the AVA GOLD mystery series, comprising three books (and counting); and of the RACHEL GIFT mystery series, comprising three books (and counting).

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

Copyright © 2021 by Blake Pierce. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If youre reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Jacket image Copyright oekka.k, used under license from Shutterstock.com.

BOOKS BY BLAKE PIERCE

RACHEL GIFT MYSTERY SERIES

HER LAST WISH (Book #1)

HER LAST CHANCE (Book #2)

HER LAST HOPE (Book #3)

AVA GOLD MYSTERY SERIES

CITY OF PREY (Book #1)

CITY OF FEAR (Book #2)

CITY OF BONES (Book #3)

A YEAR IN EUROPE

A MURDER IN PARIS (Book #1)

DEATH IN FLORENCE (Book #2)

VENGEANCE IN VIENNA (Book #3)

A FATALITY IN SPAIN (Book #4)

SCANDAL IN LONDON (Book #5)

AN IMPOSTOR IN DUBLIN (Book #6)

SEDUCTION IN BORDEAUX (Book #7)

JEALOUSY IN SWITZERLAND (Book #8)

A DEBACLE IN PRAGUE (Book #9)

ELLA DARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

GIRL, ALONE (Book #1)

GIRL, TAKEN (Book #2)

GIRL, HUNTED (Book #3)

GIRL, SILENCED (Book #4)

GIRL, VANISHED (Book 5)

GIRL ERASED (Book #6)

LAURA FROST FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

ALREADY GONE (Book #1)

ALREADY SEEN (Book #2)

ALREADY TRAPPED (Book #3)

ALREADY MISSING (Book #4)

ALREADY DEAD (Book #5)

EUROPEAN VOYAGE COZY MYSTERY SERIES

MURDER (AND BAKLAVA) (Book #1)

DEATH (AND APPLE STRUDEL) (Book #2)

CRIME (AND LAGER) (Book #3)

MISFORTUNE (AND GOUDA) (Book #4)

CALAMITY (AND A DANISH) (Book #5)

MAYHEM (AND HERRING) (Book #6)

ADELE SHARP MYSTERY SERIES

LEFT TO DIE (Book #1)

LEFT TO RUN (Book #2)

LEFT TO HIDE (Book #3)

LEFT TO KILL (Book #4)

LEFT TO MURDER (Book #5)

LEFT TO ENVY (Book #6)

LEFT TO LAPSE (Book #7)

LEFT TO VANISH (Book #8)

LEFT TO HUNT (Book #9)

LEFT TO FEAR (Book #10)

LEFT TO PREY (Book #11)

LEFT TO LURE (Book #12)

LEFT TO CRAVE (Book #13)

THE AU PAIR SERIES

ALMOST GONE (Book#1)

ALMOST LOST (Book #2)

ALMOST DEAD (Book #3)

ZOE PRIME MYSTERY SERIES

FACE OF DEATH (Book#1)

FACE OF MURDER (Book #2)

FACE OF FEAR (Book #3)

FACE OF MADNESS (Book #4)

FACE OF FURY (Book #5)

FACE OF DARKNESS (Book #6)

A JESSIE HUNT PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE SERIES

THE PERFECT WIFE (Book #1)

THE PERFECT BLOCK (Book #2)

THE PERFECT HOUSE (Book #3)

THE PERFECT SMILE (Book #4)

THE PERFECT LIE (Book #5)

THE PERFECT LOOK (Book #6)

THE PERFECT AFFAIR (Book #7)

THE PERFECT ALIBI (Book #8)

THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR (Book #9)

THE PERFECT DISGUISE (Book #10)

THE PERFECT SECRET (Book #11)

THE PERFECT FAÇADE (Book #12)

THE PERFECT IMPRESSION (Book #13)

THE PERFECT DECEIT (Book #14)

THE PERFECT MISTRESS (Book #15)

THE PERFECT IMAGE (Book #16)

THE PERFECT VEIL (Book #17)

THE PERFECT INDISCRETION (Book #18)

THE PERFECT RUMOR (Book #19)

CHLOE FINE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE SERIES

NEXT DOOR (Book #1)

A NEIGHBORS LIE (Book #2)

CUL DE SAC (Book #3)

SILENT NEIGHBOR (Book #4)

HOMECOMING (Book #5)

TINTED WINDOWS (Book #6)

KATE WISE MYSTERY SERIES

IF SHE KNEW (Book #1)

IF SHE SAW (Book #2)

IF SHE RAN (Book #3)

IF SHE HID (Book #4)

IF SHE FLED (Book #5)

IF SHE FEARED (Book #6)

IF SHE HEARD (Book #7)

THE MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE SERIES

WATCHING (Book #1)

WAITING (Book #2)

LURING (Book #3)

TAKING (Book #4)

STALKING (Book #5)

KILLING (Book #6)

RILEY PAIGE MYSTERY SERIES

ONCE GONE (Book #1)

ONCE TAKEN (Book #2)

ONCE CRAVED (Book #3)

ONCE LURED (Book #4)

ONCE HUNTED (Book #5)

ONCE PINED (Book #6)

ONCE FORSAKEN (Book #7)

ONCE COLD (Book #8)

ONCE STALKED (Book #9)

ONCE LOST (Book #10)

ONCE BURIED (Book #11)

ONCE BOUND (Book #12)

ONCE TRAPPED (Book #13)

ONCE DORMANT (Book #14)

ONCE SHUNNED (Book #15)

ONCE MISSED (Book #16)

ONCE CHOSEN (Book #17)

MACKENZIE WHITE MYSTERY SERIES

BEFORE HE KILLS (Book #1)

BEFORE HE SEES (Book #2)

BEFORE HE COVETS (Book #3)

BEFORE HE TAKES (Book #4)

BEFORE HE NEEDS (Book #5)

BEFORE HE FEELS (Book #6)

BEFORE HE SINS (Book #7)

BEFORE HE HUNTS (Book #8)

BEFORE HE PREYS (Book #9)

BEFORE HE LONGS (Book #10)

BEFORE HE LAPSES (Book #11)

BEFORE HE ENVIES (Book #12)

BEFORE HE STALKS (Book #13)

BEFORE HE HARMS (Book #14)

AVERY BLACK MYSTERY SERIES

CAUSE TO KILL (Book #1)

CAUSE TO RUN (Book #2)

CAUSE TO HIDE (Book #3)

CAUSE TO FEAR (Book #4)

CAUSE TO SAVE (Book #5)

CAUSE TO DREAD (Book #6)

KERI LOCKE MYSTERY SERIES

A TRACE OF DEATH (Book #1)

A TRACE OF MURDER (Book #2)

A TRACE OF VICE (Book #3)

A TRACE OF CRIME (Book #4)

A TRACE OF HOPE (Book #5)

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

EPILOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

It was one of the rare days that Rachel was actually pleased with the woman she saw staring back at her in the mirror. She looked closer to twenty-five than her actual age of thirty-three and she was having a good hair day. Shed slept soundly last night and her brown eyes had a well-rested sparkle. Even her skin was on point today, glowing slightly under the bathroom lights.

Not that it mattered. She had training today and, in about three hours, shed be sweating, and her hair would be in a ponytail. She enjoyed the training, though, and would gladly look like a sweating ragged mess if it meant shed had a good session. She smiled at the anticipation of it, despite the awful singing voice coming from the shower behind herthe voice of her husband, Peter, belting out Head Over Heels by Tears for Fears.

Darling, she said with a smile. I love you dearly, but you missed that note by about a trillion octaves.

Peter responded by increasing his volume and reaching for a high note that wasnt even a part of the song. You know, he said, following the note. Most women would appreciate being serenaded before they go off to work.

This is more like the torture techniques the army used in Afghanistan by pumping Marilyn Manson into prisons at three in the morning.

Sweet. Let your supervisors know. Maybe Id make a fine addition at the FBI. Then you could work around this singing voice all day long.

Before she could respond, Peter started singing again. When Rachel left the bathroom, there was a huge smile on her face. It was just one of those days…one of those days where even before the morning had gotten a good start, you just knew it was going to be a good day.

Despite the awful off-key chorus, she was actually glad to hear Peter singing in the shower. It was something hed been doing a lot more as of late. Theyd been working at having a second child for the past few weeks, which meant a much more active sex life. Their first, a daughter, Paige, had come after some difficulty, and they were hoping the second would be a bit easier. She knew Peter didnt mind putting in the time trying to get her pregnant, but Rachel rather hoped it would happen soon.

When Rachel got downstairs, Paige was already awake. She was standing in front of the refrigerator, on her tip-toes as she tried to get the orange juice. Shed dressed herself, which Rachel always encouraged, and none of it matched. She was wearing a black Descendants shirt with a pair of striped leggings that were green and white in color. Her brown hair was still up in the pigtails Rachel had put in place the day before.

Hey there, Squirt, Rachel said, stepping in behind her daughter and getting the orange juice down for her.

Gmorning, Mommy, Paige said.

Glad to see youre already dressed for the day. You got big plans for the day?

No, just school, Paige said, though there was excitement in her voice. Paige seemed to love everything about kindergarten, which was good; she was just like her mother in that she did not particularly take instruction well. It was a trait that seemed to dissolve the moment Paige stepped into a classroom, though. Her teacher had nothing but remarkable things to say about Paige, something Rachel tried not to take too much pride in.

What about this weekend? Rachel asked, taking the glass of orange juice to the able where Paige was sitting with a bowl of Apple Jacks shed apparently already poured for herself. Rachel cringed internally at the thought of drinking orange juice with Apple Jacks. Anything big youd like to do?

Mrs. Denning said I could come ride one of her horses, remember?

Yes, but I

And Annie Jenkins is having an ice cream party. Oh, and I want to try that new jump park all the kids in my class are talking about!

Rachel smiled. Her daughter always had huge plans. The girl hated to sit stillanother trait she got directly from Rachel. That does sound like a busy weekend.

Rachel set about made a smoothie while preparing a bowl of oatmeal. Because she had training this morning, shed probably also eat a protein bar on the way to the obstacle course. She fully expected to be drained and maybe even flushed with adrenaline by the end of it, so protein was going to be key. She sat down at the table with Paige, enjoying the fact that she didnt need to rush this morning. Her training days started a little later than her typical day at the FBI field office, which gave her a moment to connect with Paige.

Well see about the horses, Rachel said. Ill call Mrs. Denning this evening and try to schedule something.

Thanks!

Rachel ate her oatmeal as Peter came into the kitchen. Hed gotten dressed and was working on his tie when he came into the kitchen. He straightened the knot, and went about his fast and furious routine: a bagel slammed into the toaster and a tall cup of coffee. Rachel took a moment to watch him move quickly through the kitchen. He seemed to be in a good mood, too, which was great. He was so much more handsome when he was smiling (but then again, werent all men?). He needed a haircut, but she didnt want to point it out. Besides, she liked it; his blonde hair hanging slightly over his forehead made him look boyish, younger than his thirty-six years. He needed a shave, too, but Rachel rather liked his five o clock shadow.

Peter worked as a software designer, and as of late he and his team and been working on a patch for an update that, if finished on time, would net his business a massive multi-million-dollar contract with the US government. Hed been working late hours and acted as if he were caught in a whirlwind when he was home.

After lathering his bagel in cream cheese and topping off his coffee, he kissed Paige goodbye, giving her a little raspberry on her cheek. Paige giggled as he also put a dab of cream cheese on her nose.

He then quickly came over and gave Rachel a peck on the side of her mouth. You ladies have a great day, Peter said.

You, too, Daddy! Paige said. Hey, I might get to ride Mrs. Dennings horsies tomorrow!

Thats fantastic, Peter said, already on his way out the door.

Paige frowned and looked down to the last remaining Apple Jacks, afloat in milk in her bowl. Daddy was in a hurry, huh? she said.

Yeah. But we talked about that. Hes been very busy with work. I think after another few weeks, itll be back to normal. Now…speaking of hurrying, we need to get you to school. You want anything else to eat?

Maybe a donut from Dunkin on the way? she asked with a devilish smile.

Only if we can be out the front door in less than two minutes, Rachel said.

Paige got up quickly and went screeching out of the kitchen and through the hall, looking for her shoes and bookbag. As usual, Paige was ready and waiting at the door before Rachel was completely ready. As Rachel finally fell in line and opened the door for Paige, her daughter beamed brightly and said, Im getting the Boston cream!

Sneering at the remnants of her smoothie and the rectangular protein bar in her hands, Rachel did her best to share in Paiges enthusiasm.

***

Rachel thought it was a bit ridiculous that there was a car rider line for kindergarteners, but she supposed thats just the way the world worked now. As she meandered along in the line, Paige sat patiently for her turn to get out of the vehicle and walk into school. She had just finished wolfing down her Boston cream donut when she started pointing out her friends one by one (she had a lot of them, apparently) as they drew closer to the drop-off zone.

Thats Shelly! Her mommy has a cooking vlog.

How do you even know what a vlog is? Rachel asked.

Rather than give an answer, Paige continued to point out her friends. Oh, and thats Micah! Hes funny because sometimes hell burp in class and never remembers to say Excuse me.

Just as they were about to fall into place for drop-off, a car in the exiting lane to the left stopped and gave a little beep of the horn. Rachel looked over and saw that it was Courtney Pinter, a way-too-involved school mom. She was rolling her window down and, not wanting to seem rude, Rachel did the same.

Hey there, Courtney said in a tone befitting of a Disney princess. She was pretty and far too chipper. She was also only twenty-eight which Rachel also did not appreciate. Just wanted to remind you that we need permission slips for the Summer Camp Crafts by next Tuesday! I know how sometimes those deadlines and dates get the best of you!

The smile Rachel sent Courtneys way was about as fake as the too-chipper tone in Courtneys voice. Ah, she thought, if only I lived a life where handing school paperwork was at the top of my priorities list. Must be nice…

Oh, I know, Rachel said. Were going to be figuring out how to make that work over the weekend. Thanks!

She rolled up her window and pulled ahead, one stop away from drop-off. Mom, really? Paige asked. Youre going to sign us up for Summer Camp Crafts?

That Courtney is a real bitch, Rachel thought. Shed rather hoped Paige had forgotten all about Summer Camp Craftsa three day camping trip for mothers and daughters.

Well, like I told Ms. Courtney, well have to check our calendar and see, okay?

Paige smiled so wide that her cheeks seemed to stretch. The smile was still on her face when Rachel pulled into the drop-off spot. Page opened her door with great enthusiasm, dragging her bookbag out with her.

Bye, Squirt, Rachel said. Love you lots!

Love you lots! Paige echoed. She then took off running to catch up with one of her friends under the watchful eye of the drop-off watchdogs.

Rachel took three seconds to watch Paige enter the school. It was a sight that filled her with pride and sorrow in equal measure. She sighed as she pulled away and downed the last bit of her smoothie, wondering if she could maybe figure out a way to make Summer Camp Crafts work out.

***

Rachel walked out onto the training grounds and felt like a kid about to step out onto a playground. Shed run this course at least a dozen times before and had essentially obliterated it each time. She wondered if shed be able to beat her personal best time todaya time that was the second fastest the Richmond, Virginia, branch of the bureau had ever recorded.

Earlier in her career, shed come out and run the course for the fun of it. Nearly two miles of rugged woodland terrain right on the edge of Henrico County, complete with rope ladders, log obstacles, and a grueling quarter of a mile incline. At the end of it was a small open field where shed then complete several firearms drills. Now, though, it was not for fun (though she did enjoy it). Shed been asked to run the course as part of a skills assessment required by the bureau.

The proctor was standing a few feet to her right as she waited at the start of the course. Shed spoken to him a few times before; his name was Griffith, a fifty year-old that had also once been an agent but had a debilitating knee injury that put him out of the game. He was typing something into a smart pad as he looked up to her. Gmorning, Mrs. Gift. You doing good?

Of course. Any day out at the obstacle course is a favorite.

Glad to hear it, Griffith said. As you know, there will be another proctor waiting for you on the other end. And this time around, theres going to be a bit more attention paid to your results.

Whys that? Rachel asked, already looking forward to the challenge.

The higher ups know you have the second best time on this course. Because the first best is more than five years old, from an agent thats relocated to Salt Lake City, theyve got their eyes on you. Between me and you, theyd be pleased if you broke your old record. But if you could beat that one…

Got it, Rachel said, already priming herself.

Ready? he asked.

Rachel gave a nod and readied herself into a runners position. At the sound of the proctors whistle, she took off without pause. Her muscles seemed to react joyfully right away. Shed read an article not too long ago about how experienced surfers often felt a surge of something very close to euphoria the moment they straddled their board and saw a wave starting to form nearby. She thought it might be very similar to how she felt whenever any physical task was presented to her.

She supposed it also helped that she knew the course well. The first portion was mostly flat woodland, a thin trail that wound through oaks and elms. As she came to the end of the first portion, her heart rate still pretty much normal and her breathing well-managed, she came to a drastic rise in the ground. Here, there was a rope that hung down along the ground, attached to a look-out station at the top of the hill. She made it halfway up the incline before grabbing the rope and using it to leverage her weight.

Next she came to a wooden wall that had been constructed right across the trail. There were two ropes or a series of handholds to choose from. Rachel opted for both, leaping up and planting her foot on the lowest handhold, and then grabbing the rope to propel herself upwards. She kicked upwards using another handhold and was over the top of the wall less than five seconds after touching it. The moment she came down on the other side, she was running again.

She took the following obstacles with the same precision and speed; she blew through the hurdles and scaled the rope wall as if shed been doing it her whole life. She glanced quickly at her watch and saw that she was on course to beat her best time. But she was going to have to push even harder to beat the overall record.

When she came to the top of the incline, her calves were burning, but the sight of the open field up ahead numbed it. She saw the proctor all the way at the end of the field, standing in a protective barricade. All that sat between Rachel and the proctor were three wooden posts, all adorned with typical silhouette targets, and three half-walls to use as cover. She dashed to the first wall and drew her Glock from the holster at her hip.

Before she could bring it up and take position behind the first barricade, a stabbing pain flared in her head. It was so paralyzing and unexpected that Rachels knees went out. As she fell to the ground, for a moment, all she saw was a blanket of white. The entire world went blank and then the sheet of white started to fade. It was replaced by what looked like shooting stars speeding right across her field of vision.

The next thing she was aware of was a man rushing towards herthe man shed seen at the end of the course. Agent Gift! Are you okay?

He knelt down beside her, keeping his distance until he knew what had happened.

Rachels vision slowly came back and she blinked away the last of those little white stars. A deep fear starting to rise up in her heart but she wasnt ready to process that yet. She couldnt even make sense of it.

Agent Gift?

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