Chapter 1

The aroma of coffee and frying bacon filled Susan' s Sunrise Cafe, a comforting smell Emily Callahan knew her whole life.

Today, it smelled even better.

Emily held the acceptance letter, the paper crinkling slightly in her excited grip.

A full scholarship to the state university.

Her mom, Susan, wiped her hands on her apron, beaming.

"I knew you could do it, Emmy."

Susan' s eyes welled up, but she blinked the tears away quickly.

"Your father would be so proud."

Emily nodded, a lump in her throat.

Sergeant Major Thomas Callahan, her dad.

Killed in Afghanistan.

His Medal of Honor sat in a display case at home, a constant reminder of his bravery, his sacrifice.

He was why she pushed so hard.

The bell above the diner door jangled, a harsh sound that cut through the morning cheer.

Paddy O' Doyle filled the doorway, two of his usual thugs flanking him.

O' Doyle owned the Roadhouse across town, bigger, louder, always trying to push smaller places out.

His eyes, small and mean, scanned the cozy diner with open contempt.

"Callahan," he grunted, his voice like gravel.

"Still holding out on my offer for this dump?"

Susan stepped forward, her smile gone, replaced by a firm line.

"It' s not for sale, Paddy. I' ve told you."

"Everything' s for sale, sweetheart," O' Doyle sneered.

He gestured to his men. "Maybe you need some convincing."

The thugs moved fast.

One smashed the glass pastry display with a crowbar.

The other overturned tables, sending coffee cups and plates crashing to the floor.

Emily screamed, "Get out!"

Susan stood her ground. "Paddy, stop this!"

O' Doyle just laughed.

When Susan tried to push past him to the phone, one of the thugs grabbed her.

He had a baseball bat.

Emily saw it swing.

A sickening thud.

Susan crumpled to the floor.

Another swing.

Emily lunged forward, but the second thug shoved her hard against the counter.

Her head hit the edge.

Dazed, she saw them kick her mother.

Then they were gone, leaving behind shattered glass, broken furniture, and her mother, still and silent on the floor.

Emily crawled to Susan.

Blood matted her mom' s hair.

Her arm was twisted at an unnatural angle.

"Mom?" Emily whispered, her voice shaking.

Susan didn' t answer.