Mercy Kill_ A Mystery - Lori Armstrong [126]
Agent Turnbull pulled a pen out of his pocket and scrawled across the top of his target. He ripped it off the hay bale and handed it to me with a grin that rivaled the devil’s. “See you next Tuesday, Sergeant Major.”
Son. Of. A. Bitch. I poked my finger through each jagged hole. I’d known some amazing shooters, but this? This was damn near art.
When I looked up to ask him where he’d learned to shoot like that, he was gone.
Typical.
I memorized the address and phone number before I folded the target and shoved it in my back pocket. It wouldn’t hurt to just listen to what they had to say, would it?
Shoonga yipped agreement.
I loaded up. With my dog by my side and the truck windows open to savor the temperate spring breeze, we drove down the dusty gravel road leading home.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’d like to thank the following people for their assistance in helping this book come together. I’m lucky to have experts who are willing to share their knowledge with me:
A big Hooah! to George Reynolds, Col., U.S. Army (Ret.), not only for his fast, invaluable assistance in reading and fact-checking certain combat scenes, and for his good humor and patience while gently steering me in the right direction, and for giving me the best compliment an author could ever hope to receive, but he also gets my heartfelt thanks as an appreciative American for the thirty years he served this great country in the U.S. Army.
To my “baby cousin” Shannon Gutzmer, Pharm.D., and to Melvin “Mick” Harris, B.S., R.Ph., for the wealth of information on prescription drugs and pharmacy protocol.
To Ev Murphy, for her speed and expertise in phonetically translating the Lakota words and phrases for the audiobook version and for the Lakota pronunciation guide on my website.
To Mark Sanders, whose vast knowledge of everything under the sun, especially about critters like mountain lions, is invaluable. I’m proud and lucky to call Mark a friend.
To Mary LaHood, for her willingness to critique my work at the drop of a hat and to give it to me straight.
To Karen Hall, for the insight and information into the permit process and environmental impact for proposed oil pipelines, and her amazing ability to boil the language down so a non-engineer can get a tiny grasp on what it means.
To my husband Erin, not only for tracking down all the gun info for me, even after he’s been working in the gun business all day, and trying to ensure I don’t somehow royally screw up said info in translation, but for the love and support in all aspects of my life.
To my daughters; I’m proud and humbled by these amazing young women every day, especially when they don’t complain when I’m under deadline again.
Thanks to my awesome editor, Stacy Creamer.
Thanks to my agent, Scott Miller.
Any content errors in the book are mine alone.
TOUCHSTONE READING GROUP GUIDE
MERCY KILL
FOR DISCUSSION
1. In the first scene of the book, Mercy is faced with a decision of whether or not to kill a sick female mountain lion that she spots during target practice. Ultimately she chooses not to kill the animal. What does this decision tell you about Mercy? Why do you think the author decided to open the book with this scene?
2. Early on in the story, when Mercy is discussing with Rollie her drinking, Mercy refers to herself as “just another drunk Indian.” Were you surprised that Mercy thinks of herself in this way? What does Mercy’s comment indicate to the reader about her personality and the way that she views herself ?
3. Mercy does not like Kit McIntyre, but admits that since he spends so much money at Clementine’s, she can find a way to disregard her personal issues and make nice with him. Does this decision seem out of character for Mercy? Why or why not?
4. Given how close they were and the fact that he had saved her life in the past, were you surprised by Mercy’s reaction upon finding J-Hawk’s body? Do you think that the way she reacts is a reflection of tough character and/or the influence of her army background, or do you think that she