As Copeland City's Chief Medical Examiner, I'm no stranger to early morning calls or corpses as constant companions.

It's the life my husband and I chose—he's a homicide detective, I speak for the dead.

Together, we chase justice.

Most days, I love what we do.

Most days, working side by side with Archer Malone is a gift.

But today isn't most days.

A new case drags us out of bed, and the prime suspect is none other than our beloved mayor.

My friend.

A man I trusted.

Did he silence a woman to protect a secret affair?

Did he trade a life for his reputation?

And will my husband be the one clapping cuffs on a powerful man's wrist?

This is why I hate making friends.