The Witness

1

June 2000

Elizabeth Fitch's short-lived teenage rebellion began with L'Oréal Pure Black, a pair of scissors and a fake ID. It ended in blood.

For nearly the whole of her sixteen years, eight months and twenty-one days she'd dutifully followed her mother's directives. Dr. Susan L. Fitch issued directives, not orders. Elizabeth had adhered to the schedules her mother created, ate the meals designed by her mother's nutritionist and prepared by her mother's cook, wore the clothes selected by her mother's personal shopper.

Dr. Susan L. Fitch dressed conservatively, as suited-in her opinion-her position as chief of surgery of Chicago's Silva Memorial Hospital. She expected, and directed, her daughter to do the same.

Elizabeth studied diligently, accepting and excelling in the academic programs her mother outlined. In the fall, she'd return to Harvard in pursuit of her medical degree. So she could become a doctor, like her mother-a surgeon, like her mother.

Elizabeth-never Liz or Lizzie or Beth-spoke fluent Spanish, French, Italian, passable Russian and rudimentary Japanese. She played both piano and violin. She'd traveled to Europe, to Africa. She could name all the bones, nerves and muscles in the human body and play Chopin's Piano Concerto-both Nos. 1 and 2, by rote.

She'd never been on a date or kissed a boy. She'd never roamed the mall with a pack of girls, attended a slumber party or giggled with friends over pizza or hot fudge sundaes.

She was, at sixteen years, eight months and twenty-one days, a product of her mother's meticulous and detailed agenda.

That was about to change.

She watched her mother pack. Susan, her rich brown hair already coiled in her signature French twist, neatly hung another suit in the organized garment bag, then checked off the printout with each day of the week's medical conference broken into subgroups. The printout included a spreadsheet listing every event, appointment, meeting and meal, scheduled with the

Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels. She is also the author of the bestselling In Death series written under the pen name J. D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print. The Witness is Roberts’ two-hundredth book.

Acclaim for The Witness
Nora Roberts s 200th Novel

Roberts answer to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Kirkus Reviews

Roberts is unrivaled, and her latest addictively readable novel is guaranteed to jangle readers nerves and keep them enthralled long past bedtime. Booklist (starred review)

Taut, riveting drama that s guaranteed to keep the adrenaline flowing. Another memorable page-turner from Roberts s consistently remarkable pen. Library Journal

One of Roberts's cleverest heroines yet, this intricately dramatic book only confirms that Roberts is a master of the genre. Publishers Weekly

Legendary. Wall Street Journal

Nora Roberts has done it again, proving once more that she is reigns supreme. thenewstribune.com

Nora Roberts has done it again, proving once more that she reigns supreme. The Evening Sun (Hanover, NH)

Romantic suspense fans can t go wrong with this terrific blend of looming danger and unusual courtship. A really great read! RT Book Reviews