Where Tomorrow Leads Read online

  Praise for DiAnn Mills

  Burden of Proof

  “Taking her readers on a veritable roller-coaster ride of unexpected plot twists and turns, Burden of Proof is an inherently riveting read from beginning to end.”

  Midwest Book Review

  “A fast-paced, character driven, romantic suspense super-charged with duplicitous intrigue, corruption and murder. . . . The unpredictable plot, realistic characters, and subtle touches of humor, faith, and romance keep the pages turning long after lights should go out! Mills has added yet another winner to her growing roster of romantic thrillers, perhaps the best one yet.”

  The Suspense Zone

  “Diann Mills always gives us a good police procedural with her FBI series of stories, but Burden of Proof is over-the-top! It has a unique and creative story line that will hook you from the beginning and keep you hanging on to the end . . . a plot filled with one strange twist after another.”

  Fresh Fiction

  “DiAnn Mills never disappoints. From characters to fall in love with to those who need to be behind bars, this story is one that will tug on every emotion and wring you dry—while making you love every minute. Put on a fresh pot of coffee before you start this one because you’re not going to want to sleep until the suspense ride is over. You might want to grab a safety harness while you’re at it—you’re going to need it!”

  Lynette Eason, bestselling, award-winning author of the Elite Guardians and Blue Justice series

  “In Burden of Proof, DiAnn Mills pairs a traumatized FBI agent with a desperate father to create a suspense-packed story that will keep readers captivated until the very last page.”

  Nancy Mehl, author of the Defenders of Justice series

  “DiAnn Mills has raised the bar for romantic suspense yet again. Burden of Proof will hover in your mind until you finish it and are sad there is no more. Good thing she continues to write such powerful novels.”

  Lauraine Snelling, author of the Under Northern Lights series

  High Treason

  “In this third book in Mills’s action-packed FBI Task Force series, the stakes are higher than ever. Compelling characters and a riveting plot that fits seamlessly with current events make this novel impossible to put down. Readers can count on being glued to the pages late into the night—as ‘just one more chapter’ turns into ‘can’t stop now.’”

  Romantic Times

  “Mills has brought cultural and spiritual differences to life. Her characters, along with their real-life struggles, will bring an instant connection to readers. Her expertise in story development guarantees High Treason will end up as a favorite.”

  Christian Market magazine

  Deep Extraction

  “A harrowing police procedural [that] . . . Mills’s many fans will devour.”

  Library Journal

  “Few characters in Mills’s latest novel are who they appear to be at first glance. . . . Combined with intense action and stunning twists, this search for the truth keeps readers on the edges of their favorite reading chairs. . . . The crime is tightly plotted, and the message of faith is authentic and sincere.”

  Romantic Times, 4½ star review, Top Pick

  Deadly Encounter

  “Crackling dialogue and heart-stopping plotlines are the hallmarks of Mills’s thrillers, and this series launch won’t disappoint her many fans. Dealing with issues of murder, domestic terrorism, and airport security, it eerily echoes current events.”

  Library Journal

  “[Mills] has the ability to sweep you off your feet and into the middle of an adventure in a matter of paragraphs. . . . If you are looking for a little bit of action, romance, intrigue, and domestic terrorism (and a happily ever after!), then this is the book for you.”

  Radiant Lit

  “Fans of clean romantic suspense will enjoy this well-plotted winner.”

  Publishers Weekly

  “From the first paragraph until the last, this story is a nail-biter, promising to delight readers who enjoy a well-written adventure.”

  Christian Market magazine

  “Steady pacing and solid characterization make this latest from DiAnn Mills a sure favorite among FBI procedural fans. . . . The well-crafted case takes several twists and turns along the way and keeps the pace and tension high.”

  Romantic Times

  “Deadly Encounter is a winner . . . an amazing inspirational thriller about relationships, forgiveness, and trust. The story line incorporates domestic terrorism, infectious diseases, shell corporations, and sinister plots, winding its way to an intense conclusion.”

  Fresh Fiction

  Deadlock

  “DiAnn Mills brings us another magnificent, inspirational thriller in her FBI: Houston series. Deadlock is a riveting, fast-paced adventure that will hold you captive from the opening pages to the closing epilogue.”

  Fresh Fiction

  “Mills’s newest installment in the FBI: Houston series will keep readers on the edge of their seats. For those who love a good ‘who-done-it,’ Deadlock delivers.”

  CBA Retailers + Resources

  “Mills does a superb job building the relationship between the two polar opposite detectives. With some faith overtones, Deadlock is an excellent police drama that even mainstream readers would enjoy.”

  Romantic Times

  Double Cross

  “DiAnn Mills always gives us a good thriller, filled with inspirational thoughts, and Double Cross is another great one!”

  Fresh Fiction

  “Tension explodes at every corner within these pages. . . . Mills’s writing is transparently crisp, backed up with solid research, filled with believable characters and sparks of romantic chemistry.”

  Novelcrossing.com

  “For the romantic suspense fan, there is plenty of action and twists present. For the inspirational reader, the faith elements fit nicely into the context of the story. . . . The romance is tenderly beautiful, and the ending bittersweet.”

  Romantic Times

  Firewall

  “Mills takes readers on an explosive ride. . . . A story as romantic as it is exciting, Firewall will appeal to fans of Dee Henderson’s romantic suspense stories.”

  Booklist

  “With an intricate plot involving domestic terrorism that could have been ripped from the headlines, Mills’s romantic thriller makes for compelling reading.”

  Library Journal

  “A fast-moving, intricately plotted thriller.”

  Publishers Weekly

  “Mills once again demonstrates her spectacular writing skills in her latest action-packed work. . . . The story moves at a fast pace that will keep readers riveted until the climactic end.”

  Romantic Times

  “This book was so fast-paced that I almost got whiplash. . . . Heart-pounding action from the first page . . . didn’t stop until nearly the end of the book. If you like romantic suspense, I highly recommend this one.”

  Radiant Lit

  “Firewall is exciting, thrilling. . . . DiAnn Mills draws her readers in, holding them breathlessly hostage until the very last page. She is a master at her craft and her genre.”

  Bookfun.org

  Visit Tyndale online at tyndale.com.

  Visit DiAnn Mills at diannmills.com.

  TYNDALE and Tyndale’s quill logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers.

  Where Tomorrow Leads

  Copyright © 2007 by DiAnn Mills. All rights reserved.

  Previously published in 2007 as When the Nile Runs Red by Moody Publishers under ISBN 978-0-8024-9911-0.

  Cover photograph of tree by Harshil Gudka on Unsplash.

  Cover photograph of plane by Vinícius Henrique on Unsplash.


  Cover photograph of sky by Pop Zebra on Unsplash.

  Designed by Dean H. Renninger

  Published in association with the literary agency of Books & Such Literary Management, 52 Mission Circle, Suite 122, PMB 170, Santa Rosa, CA 95409.

  Selections from The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam are from the fifth edition of Edward FitzGerald’s translation.

  Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version,® NIV.® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

  Where Tomorrow Leads is a work of fiction. Where real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locales appear, they are used fictitiously. All other elements of the novel are drawn from the author’s imagination.

  Repackage first published in 2020 under ISBNs 978-1-4964-3321-3 (Kindle); 978-1-4964-3322-0 (Apple); 978-1-4964-3323-7 (ePub)

  Build: 2020-04-17 09:41:05 EPUB 3.0

  To the Sudanese scattered all over the world.

  God will bring you home.

  Acknowledgments

  I would like to thank the many people who made this book possible, those who prayed for me and provided insight into the decades-long civil war in Sudan:

  Joseph Ayok, Jason Barrett, Tony Barrett, Frank Blackwood, Jack Casey, Beau Egert, Louise Gouge, Moses Haakim, Dennis Hensley, Mona Hodgson, Thomas Kedini, Rosemary Khamati, Dr. Harry Kraus, Dean Mills, Tom Morrisey, Abraham Nhial, James Solomon Okuk, Anthony Poggo, Rebecca Roberts, Charles Ramadhan, San-tino Swain, Peter Swann, my friends at Metropolitan Baptist Church, and Michele York.

  A Note from the Author

  Dear Reader,

  Over a decade ago, I visited Juba, in southern Sudan, to research this novel. While I had dreams of encouraging the people in their struggle for freedom and commending their bravery in the face of oppression, something quite different happened. I fell in love with the Sudanese people.

  Through interviews and listening to stories, I sensed their incredible faith. We laughed, cried, and even faced danger. I learned to rely on “Jesus is enough.” My two-story home and double-car garage, my full pantry, health insurance, church, and freedoms I took for granted took on new meaning. I was convicted of my selfishness, and my spirit weighed what was essential to life. Did I understand “Jesus is enough” through the eyes of someone who’d lost his family in the fighting, limped without a leg, or lost loved ones to disease? I wanted good things for the Sudanese, but more importantly I wanted them to experience the peace of their children walking the roads of their homeland without fear.

  Where Tomorrow Leads is a snapshot of how three people from separate cultures faced the realities of southern Sudan. I shed many tears in the writing process, and I imagine you will too as you read it. Don’t forget the Sudanese. They need our prayers and our support.

  Thank you, my friends.

  DiAnn

  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

  2 CORINTHIANS 4:10–12

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  A Note from the Author

  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

  Preview of Fatal Strike

  Discussion Questions

  About the Author

  CHAPTER 1

  SUDAN, JULY 2005

  RAINY SEASON

  Mosquitoes buzzed around Paul Farid’s head, in his ears, and on his lips. Even if they didn’t carry a disease, they pestered a man to death. Blasted flying demons.

  “Tell me again about Jesus feeding five thousand men with two fish and five pieces of bread.” The Dinka chief leaned in closer. “Sudan needs miracles like this.”

  Lines bore deep into the man’s face, and his voice was graveled with age. But his heart and mind reminded Paul of a child’s, soaking up the words of Jesus in a way that encouraged his tribe to do the same. The two men sat outside the chief’s tukul before the rains began for the day.

  “Thousands of men, women, and children had gathered on a hillside to hear Jesus speak. As the hours—”

  Rifle fire pierced the air. Screams erupted. Two more shots cracked.

  Government of Sudan soldiers had arrived with their scorched-earth orders, ignoring the fragile peace between northern and southern Sudan.

  Paul rushed to pick up a small boy who’d tripped and placed him into his mother’s arms. “Hurry. They have no mercy.” He and the chief hastened the villagers toward the forest.

  Several more shots shattered the once-peaceful morning.

  “Leave now, my friend.” The chief towered over Paul with his nearly seven-foot height. “May God clear a path before you.”

  “I’ll stay and turn myself in. I’d be a prize for any of them. Maybe they’ll stop pursuit of your people.”

  “Then who do we have to bring us food? The words of Jesus? Inside the forest is safety for my people.”

  Paul acknowledged the chief’s instructions and snatched up his backpack from inside the tukul. He stole behind the hut and saw the path ahead was littered with the fallen bodies of villagers, those he’d grown to love.

  The GOS knew no gender or age. He touched the 9mm strapped to his waist.

  The chief clamped his hand on Paul’s shoulder as if reading his thoughts. “They’ll kill us no matter if they find you or not.”

  The truth rang through Paul’s mind. He raced from the escaping villagers toward the tall grass, but a GOS soldier must have spotted him. A bullet whistled to the right of his head.

  He maneuvered through the rustling stalks, hunched over as far as possible without losing balance. The forest loomed ahead. Another shot sped past his right shoulder.

  Close.

  Too close.

  Finally his steps sank into the earthen floor of the forest, and he moved into the shadowed canopy, cool yet foreboding. He skirted around a few trees, then stopped to listen and observe any movement. When he felt certain no one had followed him, he cautiously retraced his steps into the tall grass.

  Bent low, Paul peered through the brush to his left. The soldiers hadn’t moved on. They fired at anything moving. At least he was on foot . . . and alone. The pistol at his fingertips offered scant protection with the odds against him. Why were the GOS in the area, unless they were in search of him?

  He held his breath. A soldier stole past him. At first the battalion of soldiers spread out about one hundred meters outside the jungle in search of him, but when they didn’t find Paul’s position, they appeared to give up. Or so it seemed. Khartoum’s fighting force oozed cleverness like sweat beaded on Paul’s brow. Although a peace treaty had been signed, it didn’t stop government soldiers in search of a man accused of treason. Neither did it stop his family, the royal family, from wanting him dead.

  Paul maintained his crouched stance behind a pile of rocks and brush that offered a small ditch beneath it for him to hide. He refused to consider snakes. His knees ached, but discomfort was nothing compar
ed to what would happen if the soldiers discovered him.

  Paul’s thoughts lingered on the village he’d left behind, Xokabuc—“We Still Struggle”—where he’d delivered medicine and issued Larson’s directives about how to administer it to those suffering from malaria.

  He worried about the plight of those who’d survived the initial raid. They’d be questioned and most likely persecuted or killed if they refused to convert to the Muslim faith or provide information about Paul’s whereabouts. Loyalty at a price. The sacrifice of these villagers, and others like them, more than bothered him. Many times he’d wondered if his death would lessen their suffering. Long ago he’d set his course to aid the persecuted Sudanese and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nothing had changed, except his ideals rang nobler than the fear clanging through his soul.

  Now, as always when he stood in the path of danger, his thoughts turned to his wife. Lord, take care of Larson if I don’t make it.

  His daring frightened her. But as a doctor, Larson often risked her life for the same cause. Together they made a good team—sort of like the Lone Ranger and Tonto.

  “He’s disappeared,” a soldier called in Arabic. “Was it Farid?”

  If the enemy soldier looked directly to the east, he’d discover Paul’s position. His white T-shirt and khakis made it hard to blend in with the terrain.

  “Maybe. We should have found him by now,” the commander said. “He either fell into a pit or grew wings and flew away.”

  The first soldier walked toward Paul’s hiding place, his attention focused on the ground. Footprints. Paul commanded his body not to move.

  The soldier pointed to spots of trodden grass. “He headed for the jungle. Come nightfall, the lions will take care of him.”

  The commander joined him and bent to study the tracks. Paul thought he could hear the blood flow through their veins, smell the stench of their breath. If he was caught, would his wife and friends be safe? Nizam’s letter lay in his backpack. Paul needed answers from his brother. More, he needed the truth.

  “We could trail him, but I’m not so sure he’s our man,” the commander said.