Yes, I’m Emma Lawson.

Time to chat? Sure, I guess so. We’ll have to be quick. I’ve got to get to work, but if you don’t mind walking with me we can talk. Though I have to warn you I’m not used to managing two dogs.

Fox, stop it.

Careful, the little one, Fox, will have you tangled up in her leash before you know it. The big one? Don’t be afraid. The Rottweiler in him, those jaws make him look fierce, but he’s a sweetheart, really. So, what would you like to know?

Fox, I said stop it.

Hold on, I’m not sure I can. . .wait, thank goodness. See the teen coming out of the duplex across the street? That’s Luke, my best friend, Kate’s son. He’s 15. I agree, he’s a good-looking kid. He’s got his mom’s coloring, the pale skin and dark eyes. He would have dark curls if he hadn’t shaved his head. He told Kate he did it on a dare, but she thinks he did it to look tough, and she suspects he’s lying to her about other things, too.

I’m not worried. I don’t have kids, but it seems to me he’s probably just testing limits, normal adolescent stuff.

I keep an eye on him anyway. Kate and Luke moved here from Ireland five years ago. It’s been a big change, living in California’s capital, and they have no family around. I guess I’ve become the closest thing to a second parent Luke has. I’m even his guardian should anything happen to Kate.

Luke, would you come take the dogs for me? I’ve got to get to work.

He really is a good kid—I couldn’t have said yes to keeping Fox for six months if Luke hadn’t been willing to help. Are you up for going for a quick ride instead of walking? That’s my Mustang, at the curb. Yes, it’s old, older than me. A classic 1967 convertible. I bought it ten years ago from the original owner, when I didn’t have parents to warn me it was an unsafe and expensive purchase. Luckily, It runs great. Hop in. I’ll put the top down.

What do I do? Well, with my recent promotion at age 32, I’m the youngest government ethics investigator the state of California has ever had. My team and I do deep-dive research and VIP interviews—you’d be surprised what a paper trail and an in-depth conversation can tell you about greed, corruption and even crime. Danger? I hope not, though I haven’t been in the job long and the stakes are high.

If there turn out to be risks, I’ll just have to be smart about them.

The payoff will be worth it, and I’m not only talking about the money. I don’t want to be dependent on anyone ever again. My mom is dead, and my dad is who-knows-where—I haven’t heard from him in 20 years. The higher I can rise in my profession, the better I’ll be able to take care of myself and the few people I trust and love.

Excuse me, hang on. I’ve got to pull over and pick up this call. No hands-free system in this old car.

“What do you mean, she’s gone? Gone how? Gone where?. . . She’s only three, it’s not like. . .Did you call the police? I’m on my way.”

I’m sorry, I’ll have to drop you back at your car.

It’s about the Governor’s granddaughter. I’m a friend of the family, and with my job they think I might be able to help.

She’s missing.

All That Fall, Emma Lawson Mystery #1
Genre: Thriller
Release: April 2021
Purchase Link

Emma Lawson must race against the clock to rescue a kidnapped child and stop a killer whose master plan only begins with murder.

When Emma Lawson, the youngest lead government ethics investigator in California’s capital, takes a day off to help her best friend, Kate, prepare for the opening of her new business, Rainbow Alley Preschool, the morning takes a shocking turn.

The school’s most high-profile enrollee–Vivian Lange, the governor’s granddaughter–is kidnapped, at the same time Kate’s teenage son, Luke, goes missing. Emma is quickly drawn to a web of clues that point toward sordid secrets and a cold-case murder in a shadow world of bigotry and hate.

Over a desperate and harrowing forty-eight hours, Emma races against the clock to solve the most important investigation of her life. But will she be in time to bring the child to safety and to stop a calculating killer whose plan threatens all that Emma holds dear?

Meet the Author
Kris Calvin is the author of the thriller novel, All That Fall (April 13, 2021; Crooked Lane Books). She served for more than 20 years as the CEO of the American Academy of Pediatrics, California and was honored for her leadership in advocacy for children by the California Legislature and Governor’s office. A single parent of three kids, born in Virginia, Kris now lives near Sacramento, California. You can visit Kris online at kriscalvin.com.

All comments are welcomed.