Book #1 of the Willow Darby Series

Willow Darby is on a family vacation for the first time in years. It’s the 4th of July weekend on Mackinac Island and Main Street is teeming with tourists from all over the world. Moments before the last scheduled ferry is to arrive and return passengers to the mainland, the mistaken sounds of celebratory fireworks explode into screaming and chaos. Hannah and June Darby are missing. Willow must now rely on the one thing that no tactical training could ever replace to help save her family.

Shop Now

Prologue

The white security vehicle with blue lettering on its doors, completed another pass. All of the parking lots it patrolled were filled to capacity. Its yellow flashing lights reflected off several out of state license plates. Most of the tourists who arrived ahead of the impending holiday weekend, were either on the island, or taking a ferry over the following morning.

Small waves rolled into the dock area and lapped against its wooden posts. Empty vessels rocked gently from their rhythmic passing underneath. They had been cleaned and fueled in preparation for an upcoming peak season trip.

A lone figure waited patiently in the shadows. It moved with stealth and speed after the security vehicle had left. A window of a few unguarded minutes existed, while overflow lots were patrolled across the street. Two weeks of careful reconnaissance had provided an opportunity for the closest ferry to be boarded undetected.

The overhead compartment in the last row on the ship was opened. A single life preserver along with a flotation device were quickly removed. An empty space was about to be filled when the yellow flashing lights appeared unexpectedly. Bashier Aliev laid lengthwise across a wide stretch of seats. His heart pounded so fast he could hear it beating inside his ears. A strong intense light from the security vehicle penetrated into the ferry. Through its wide glass windows, the beam slowly moved from aisle to aisle. Its single unseen occupant stayed motionless. Shortly after the sounds of crunching gravel faded from the security vehicle exiting the lot, a silhouette locked the overhead door and disappeared into the night.