The Truth [Paperback]

<p><em>"I tied you up because I need you to listen," Derek says. "Focus."<br>"Please... W-what do you want from me?"<br>"The truth," he says. "About what happened the night my brother died." He reaches for my left hand. "If I think you're lying..." With his other hand, he flourishes a pair of flower cutters. Curved. Sharp. <br>And he smiles.</em></p><p>When Chris wakes up in a dark basement tied to a chair, he knows that he's trapped-and why. Eight nights ago a burglar broke into Chris' home. Eight nights ago Chris did what he had to do to protect his family. And eight nights ago a 13-year-old runaway bled to death on his kitchen floor.</p><p>Now Derek wants the truth about what happened that night. He wants proof his little brother didn't deserve to die. For every lie Chris tells, he will lose a finger. But telling the truth is far more dangerous...</p><p>A riveting, edge-of-your-seat thriller from Edgar Award-nominated author Jeffry W. Johnston that explores the gray area between what is right and what we'll do to protect the people we love.</p><p><strong>1</strong></p><p>Now </p><p>I wake up to find I can't move, my arms and legs duct-taped tight to a wooden chair. Duct tape is also wrapped around my chest and the chair's hard, unyielding back.</p><p>The only thing not bound is my head, but I can only turn it left and right. I can't look behind me because of the chair's high back.</p><p>Christ, what is this!</p><p>My head hurts. I feel nauseous, dizzy. Can't focus. What happened? How did I get here? My memory's a blur.</p><p>"Hey!" I shout. "Hey! Anybody here?"</p><p>I wait a few seconds. Nothing.</p><p>I see unfinished walls, but I could be in a room anywhere. The only furniture I can see is a metal folding chair leaning against tlq