In
The Game of Lies, an extraordinary, authentic spy novel, author Karen A.
Lynch creates daring, true to life adventure offering the reader a glimpse into
the high stakes worlds of espionage and international horseracing.
The
Game of Lies is the story of Alanna
Reynolds, world-class breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses and former CIA
Intelligence Officer. A once proficient member of highly classified and skilled
para-military group within the Central Intelligence
Agency, Alanna’s last five years have been spent
raising champion Thoroughbred racehorses in Bluegrass country. The death, while
on a critical mission, of her CIA mentor and friend, Jake Carter, becomes the
catalyst for her return to a deadly game of international intrigue on which the
fate of the Middle East and world peace rests. Old scores to settle and an old
love rekindled weave a web of mystery and romance throughout this exciting
thriller.
Karen
A. Lynch spent her entire life in the horse business. First as an equestrian
and riding instructor, then as a breeder for clients of champion Thoroughbred
racehorses on her Kentucky farm, and most recently, as the owner and breeder of
classic Spanish Andalusian horses. She is married to former CIA Intelligence
Officer Grayston L. Lynch, recipient of the CIA’s Intelligence Star. Karen
holds a BA in creative writing and political science from the University of Tampa.
She was the ghostwriter for her husband’s book Decision for Disaster;
Betrayal at the Bay of Pigs, and authored the stage production Cat
Scanned. Karen is the mother of geologist Elizabeth Ann Haynes, and
grandmother of future equestrian star, Amy Elizabeth Haynes.
As
Alanna approached her room, she saw a man standing to one side of the door. He
turned in her direction and she could see he was the taller, better built of
the two Arab guards posted at the bottom of the pavilion staircase earlier that
evening. In answer to her inquisitive look, he said, “Hakeem
has asked me to stand guard at your door.” “For what reason?” she asked. “He
has heard rumors that there are thieves among the guests,” he replied, “who
plan to remain in the chateau after the other guests have left and rob those
remaining here overnight. He thought it wise that someone watch over you while
you sleep.” He apparently had been told to expect an argument from her, thus
she saw a hint of surprise in his expression when she said, “Please tell Hakeem he has my thanks for his concern.” As she entered
the room, she added, “Though your presence is reassuring, I still plan to bolt
my door as an added precaution. Oh, and please tell anyone who wishes to
disturb me that I have had a hard day, and plan to take a sedative to insure I
have a good night’s sleep, and that they are not to wake me before morning
unless it is an extremely urgent matter.” He nodded his assent, and turned his
attention back to his duty. Alanna leaned her back up against the door she had just
shut and bolted behind her. If Hakeem suspected her
of intending to interfere with their plans, and had sent someone to make sure
she didn’t leave her room via the bedroom door, it was a sure bet he would not
forget the windows, and that there were people
watching them as well. The surveillance would complicate matters. She would
now, more than ever, have to rely on the diversion Aiden
was about to unleash to attract attention away from her. She looked down at the
face of her watch, which, despite the darkness in the room, was visible. In
exactly four minutes, an Agency satellite would pass overhead. She removed her
evening clothes and slipped on her robe. At the two-minute mark, she went to
the first window and casually drew the drapes. By the time the satellite was in
position to receive her signal, she was positioned in front of the second
window. She held up her wrist as if to check the time, at the same time pushing
in on the stem of the watch, causing it to send out a single burst, high-energy
signal which the passing satellite would receive, and forward in various forms
to Aiden, Jeremy and Granton,
telling them her end of the mission was set to go. Then, she casually closed
the drapes, and prepared to dress for the job to come.