The Separatists Read online

  ADVANCE ACCLAIM FOR THE SEPARATISTS

  “Visceral and timely, Wiehl’s reportage and storytelling blend beautifully—The Separatists is a compelling mystery and exceptional addition to the Newsmakers series.”

  —KARIN SLAUGHTER, NEW YORK TIMES AND #1 INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING WRITER

  “BREAKING NEWS! Lis Wiehl has written another blockbuster - using her insider’s eye to nail the dangerous mix of media and politics. The Separatists is bold, timely, thrilling and a simply stunning read.”

  —LINDA FAIRSTEIN, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  ACCLAIM FOR THE CANDIDATE

  “. . . there is plenty of suspense, exciting twists and complex characters that make it hard to put down.”

  —RT BOOK REVIEWS, 4-STAR REVIEW

  “The Candidate is a political thrill ride. It’s like being thrown into the middle of a presidential campaign, but with some major—and terrifying—twists. Never has the corruption of power been more chillingly portrayed. This book is a spellbinding trip into the heart of darkness. I couldn’t put it down.”

  —RITA COSBY, EMYY-WINNING TV HOST, RADIO HOST, AND BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “Lis Wiehl’s latest thriller The Candidate opens a number of windows for the reader. Can an ambitious reporter keep her soul while fighting her way to the top of the TV news industry? That intense conflict will keep you turning pages.”

  —BILL O’REILLY, FOX NEWS ANCHOR

  ACCLAIM FOR THE NEWSMAKERS

  “This book is distinctive, with a terrific plot and an imperfect main character who is spellbinding. Kudos to Lis Wiehl for imaginative, yet absolutely believable in this ‘me’ world, great writing. Wiehl has distanced herself from the pack with this one.”

  —SUSPENSE MAGAZINE

  “. . . Wiehl is more than up to the task in crafting a superb page-turner as provocative as it is scary.”

  —PROVIDENCE JOURNAL

  “Wiehl’s insider knowledge of the television news industry gives this novel credibility and excitement beyond the everyday tale.”

  —RT BOOK REVIEWS, 4-STAR REVIEW

  “The Newsmakers is sure to grip readers and open their eyes to the intense field that is journalism.”

  —CBA RETAILERS + RESOURCES

  “The Newsmakers—introducing a compelling new character in cable-news star Erica Sparks—is a twisty, suspenseful adventure with the ring of authenticity that only an insider could provide. Wiehl and Stuart bring us into the world of major-league broadcasting with verve and thrills.”

  —WILLIAM LANDAY, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF DEFENDING JACOB

  “A heart-pounding thrill ride from someone who knows the news business inside out. Lis Wiehl’s The Newsmakers is not to be missed!”

  —KARIN SLAUGHTER, AUTHOR OF PRETTY GIRLS

  “A page-turner from the word ‘go’! Completely entertaining! Outrageously readable! This quick-cut action-thriller spotlights television’s cutthroat deal-making, unholy alliances, and lust for success. Gotta love Lis! As always, she nails it.”

  —HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN, AGATHA, ANTHONY, AND MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF WHAT YOU SEE

  “The Newsmakers is a stunning debut thriller in a new series by one of my favorite authors. Lis Wiehl casts her insider’s eye on the intrigue and drama of high-stakes television journalism. Terrorist attack? Murder of a presidential candidate? A reporter whose own life is at risk? This thrill ride has them all. Wiehl has crafted another bestselling winner with this powerful crime novel.”

  —LINDA FAIRSTEIN, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “Lis Wiehl is a seasoned journalist who knows the news business. Here, she’s fashioned a tantalizing story that takes full advantage of her insider status. It’s a fascinating thriller, which poses a curious question: What happens when reality is not quite good enough? The answer is going to shock you.”

  —STEVE BERRY, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “The Newsmakers is sensational—taut, troubling, and terrifying. With Erica Sparks, Lis Wiehl has created her most memorable character yet: a reporter who has smarts, drive, heart—and a dark past that threatens to pull her down. Waiting for book two won’t be easy.”

  —KATE WHITE, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  ACCLAIM FOR A DEADLY BUSINESS

  “The second Mia Quinn mystery is action-packed from the first page. Layers of lies and deception make for a twisting, turning story that will keep mystery lovers entranced. This is a thrill ride until the very end, so hang on tight and enjoy the trip!”

  —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW, 4 STARS

  “Wiehl’s experience as a former federal prosecutor gives the narrative an authenticity in its depiction of the criminal justice system. Henry’s expertise in writing mysteries and thrillers has placed her on the short-list for the Agatha, Anthony, and Oregon Book awards. The coauthors’ . . . fast-paced detective series will keep legal thriller readers and John Grisham fans totally engrossed.”

  —LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW

  “Wiehl has woven a wonderfully multi-layered story that will have readers on the edge of their seats . . . A Deadly Business delivers everything we love in a massively good mystery.”

  —CBA RETAILERS & RESOURCES REVIEW

  ACCLAIM FOR A MATTER OF TRUST

  “This suspenseful first in a new series from Wiehl and Henry opens with a bang.”

  —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

  “Wiehl begins an exciting new series with prosecutor Mia at the center. The side storyline about bullying is timely and will hit close to home for many.”

  —RT BOOK REVIEWS, 4 STARS

  “Dramatic, moving, intense. A Matter of Trust gives us an amazing insight into the life of a prosecutor—and mom. Mia Quinn reminds me of Lis.”

  —MAXINE PAETRO, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “A Matter of Trust is a stunning crime series debut from one of my favorite authors, Lis Wiehl. Smart, suspenseful, and full of twists that only an insider like Wiehl could pull off. I want prosecutor Mia Quinn in my corner when murder’s on the docket—she’s a compelling new character and I look forward to seeing her again soon.”

  —LINDA FAIRSTEIN, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  ACCLAIM FOR THE TRIPLE THREAT SERIES

  “Only a brilliant lawyer, prosecutor, and journalist like Lis Wiehl could put together a mystery this thrilling! The incredible characters and nonstop twists will leave you mesmerized. Open [Face of Betrayal] and find a comfortable seat because you won’t want to put it down!”

  —E. D. HILL, FOX NEWS ANCHOR

  “Who killed loudmouth radio guy Jim Fate? The game is afoot! Hand of Fate is a fun thriller, taking you inside the media world and the justice system—scary places to be!”

  —BILL O’REILLY, FOX NEWS AND RADIO ANCHOR

  —DR. DALE ARCHER, CLINICAL PSYCHIATRIST, REGARDING HEART OF ICE

  “Beautiful, successful, and charismatic on the outside, but underneath a twisted killer. She’s brilliant and crazy and comes racing at the reader with knives and a smile. The most chilling villain you’ll meet . . . because she could live next door to you.”

  ACCLAIM FOR SNAPSHOT

  “The writing is strong and the plot is engaging, driven by the desires (both good and evil) of the characters and the reader’s desire to know who killed a man decades before, how it was covered up, and whether an innocent man has been charged and imprisoned. The book offers a ‘snapshot’ of the civil rights movement and turbulent times.”

  —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

  “A pitch-perfect plot that tackles some tough issues with a lot of heart. Snapshot brings our world into pristine focus. It’s fast-paced, edgy, and loaded with plenty of menace. Lis Wiehl knows what readers crave and she delivers it
. Make room on your bookshelves for this one—it’s a keeper.”

  —STEVE BERRY, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  “Snapshot is fiction. But it takes us along the twisted path of race in America in a way that is closer to the human experience than most history books.”

  —JUAN WILLIAMS, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF EYES ON THE PRIZE: AMERICA’S CIVIL RIGHTS YEARS

  “Inspired by actual historical events and informed by Lis Wiehl’s formidable personal and professional background, Snapshot captivates and enthralls.”

  —JEANINE PIRRO, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SLY FOX

  “Riveting from the first page . . .”

  —PAM VEASEY, SCREENWRITER AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

  ALSO BY LIS WIEHL

  NEWSMAKERS NOVELS (WITH SEBASTIAN STUART)

  The Newsmakers

  The Candidate

  THE TRIPLE THREAT SERIES (WITH APRIL HENRY)

  Face of Betrayal

  Hand of Fate

  Heart of Ice

  Eyes of Justice

  THE EAST SALEM TRILOGY (WITH PETE NELSON)

  Waking Hours

  Darkness Rising

  Fatal Tide

  THE MIA QUINN MYSTERIES (WITH APRIL HENRY)

  A Matter of Trust

  A Deadly Business

  Lethal Beauty

  OTHER NOVELS

  Snapshot

  © 2017 by Lis Wiehl and Sebastian Stuart

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

  Thomas Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail [email protected].

  Publisher’s Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: Wiehl, Lis W., author. | Stuart, Sebastian, author.

  Title: The separatists / Lis Wiehl with Sebastian Stuart.

  Description: Nashville : Thomas Nelson, [2017] | Series: Newsmakers ; 3

  Identifiers: LCCN 2017004731 | ISBN 9780718037697 (hardback)

  EPub Edition May 2017 ISBN 9780718038915

  Subjects: LCSH: Women journalists--Fiction. | Reporters and

  reporting--Fiction. | GSAFD: Mystery fiction. | Suspense fiction.

  Classification: LCC PS3623.I382 S47 2017 | DDC 813/.6--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017004731

  Printed in the United States of America

  17 18 19 20 21 22 /LSC/ 6 5 4 3 2 1

  For Jacob and Dani, When I look at the two of you, I know there is great hope in the world. While much is left to be accomplished, you two and your generation can do it. I couldn’t be a prouder Mom. Now that you’re all grown up, I wish for you to always to follow your bliss, be strong, and show compassion for others as you find your way in life. I love you to the moon and back. Mom

  CONTENTS

  Also by Lis Wiehl

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  Chapter 60

  Chapter 61

  Chapter 62

  Chapter 63

  Chapter 64

  Chapter 65

  Chapter 66

  Chapter 67

  Chapter 68

  Chapter 69

  Chapter 70

  Chapter 71

  Chapter 72

  Chapter 73

  Chapter 74

  Chapter 75

  Chapter 76

  Chapter 77

  Chapter 78

  Chapter 79

  Chapter 80

  Chapter 81

  Chapter 82

  Chapter 83

  Chapter 84

  Chapter 85

  Chapter 86

  Chapter 87

  Chapter 88

  Chapter 89

  Chapter 90

  Chapter 91

  Chapter 92

  Chapter 93

  Chapter 94

  Chapter 95

  Chapter 96

  Epilogue

  Discussion Questions

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  PROLOGUE

  STURGES AND MARY BELLAMY ARE sitting in their library, a fire going, enjoying after-dinner coffee—espresso for Mary, who thinks sleep is grossly overrated. They’re watching Antiques Roadshow. Well, Mary is watching. Sturges is buried in his iPhone, no doubt checking up on stock prices. Or who knows what. He’s been so distracted lately. Dinner together is supposed to be inviolate, but the truth is they’ve both been so consumed with work—of one form or another—that sitting down to eat often seems like an afterthought. On-screen, the appraiser is discussing an Art Deco brooch.

  “Isn’t that a striking pin?” Mary asks. She wears very little jewelry herself. Just not her style. Too ostentatious. She pats at her hair.

  “That primavera was delicious,” Sturges says.

  “Sarah does such a good job. I think it’s time to give her a raise.” Mary loves to give their employees raises. The ones who deserve it, of course. One must never reward substandard work. Standards are everything in life. Standards and discipline. And kindness, of course. Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see. Mark Twain said that. Such a wise man.

  The phone rings. Sturges mutes the TV and answers it. “Oh hi there, Frank.” He turns to Mary. “It’s Frank Simmons.”

  Mary looks at him blankly.

  “He runs Dakota Salvage for us.”

  Of course—their vast salvage yard in Fargo. What could he be calling about at this hour?

  As Sturges listens, his face grows serious and pained. Then he hangs up.

  “What is it, dear?” Mary asks.

  “Jerry Swanson, the foreman at the salvage yard, fell into the compactor today.”

  “Oh dear. The poor man.”

  “. . . his body . . . extracting it . . . ,” Sturges says, looking ill.
/>   “We must send flowers.”

  “He’s worked for us for almost a decade.”

  “Was he a family man?”

  “Wife and two daughters.”

  “We’ll do something for them. Maybe a scholarship fund for the girls,” Mary says. She puts her coffee down, feeling a little queasy. After all, she considers their employees family. “Did you know him?”

  “Met him a couple of times. Last year he gave me a tour of the yard with that banker from Minneapolis. Swanson was a good man.” He pauses. “He was trying to unionize the place.”

  Mary tsks lightly. She and Sturges look at each other. “It’s a terrible tragedy,” she says.

  On-screen, the appraiser is discussing a Civil War relic, a tattered American flag.

  CHAPTER 1

  ERICA SPARKS IS STRIDING DOWN the hallway at GNN, heading for the executive conference room. She’s got a big ask, and the half dozen men and women she’s about to face have the power to grant it. She’s keyed tight and her heart is thwacking like a metronome—there’s a lot at stake. Yes, her nightly show, The Erica Sparks Effect, is still at or near the top of the ratings, but she’s getting antsy stuck behind a desk night after night. She’s beginning to feel more like a newsreader than a journalist. And that’s just not acceptable.

  She walks into the conference room, with its walls of windows looking out at midtown Manhattan, the buzzing heart of the American news business.

  News business.

  Remember that word, Erica.

  It’s a word that Greg, her husband, drilled into her as he helped her with the pitch. They may not be working together at GNN anymore—Greg has started his own consultancy, which has led to some major friction in the marriage—but the man knows how the industry works inside out.

  “Good morning, Erica,” Mort Silver, the head of GNN, says. He’s sitting at the head of the table looking avuncular and self-important. On one side of him are the CFO and her top lieutenants, on the other the COO and his. They’re all poker-faced and expectant.

  “Good morning, Mort.” Erica nods and smiles. It’s a tight smile. She’s anticipating some resistance to her proposal. She’s girded.