Ana is the gutsy paramedic in ESCALATION who enjoys her job, her work partner, and life in general. The petite brunette lives alone with her cat, Oedipuss. She teaches CPR classes occasionally and is even working towards an EMT instructor certification. Her boyfriend, Logan, is something of a mess, but she’ll eventually figure out what to do about him. Her day is going well until she finds herself on the receiving end of a secret that puts her life in jeopardy. There is also the annoying problem of the strange phone calls, unsigned notes, and occasional anonymous gifts. She has the support of Detective Barrow, a new deputy, and her boss, but is it enough to keep her safe?
Cambridge Hardwick, III “Cam”
The gorgeous 6’2″ blonde with wavy hair that just touches his collar and deep green eyes first meets Ana on a call. While new to the department, he is actually from Exelon, but has been working in another city for about 9 years. He is intrigued by the spritely paramedic, but finds himself assuming the role of protector when her life is endangered. It is a rush against time to uncover who is behind the notes and gifts, as well as who it is that wants her dead.
Detective John Barrow
A heavyset man with gray eyes and dark hair that is graying at the temples, the detective first encounters Ana in the back of her ambulance after a shooting. He learns that she unknowingly has vital information that may lead to a young girl who has been missing for weeks. He soon discovers that Ana’s life may be in danger and that there may be more than one who is after her – albeit for different reasons.
Zachary Straugther
Zach has been partnered with Ana at Sova County EMS for almost a year. The 6′ paramedic with blondish-red hair that curls just above his collar loves Ana like a sister. He has no use for Logan and thinks she should have left him long ago.
Jeffrey Banks
Jeff’s parents, Ruth & Herb Banks, own the Enigma Coffee House on Marigold Street where he works. Ana and Zach often encounter the cute, nerdy guy with the dark, shaggy hair and wire-rimmed glasses when they stop in for breakfast or lunch. It’s convenient since their assigned station is only a few blocks away. After they respond to a call for a choking at the café, Jeff decides to take Ana’s CPR class. He shows up early, eager to learn, and smelling as if he bathed in Old Spice. Ana finds him a little strange, but he seems nice enough, and even offers Janice a job.
Adam Young
Adam has worked for Sova County EMS as a dispatcher for 2 years, and most recently has filled in on his off time as an EMT. He enjoys working with Ana when he gets the chance. He becomes concerned for her after several strange phone calls from an unknown male who is looking for her.
Aiden Kimler
Sergeant Kimler is Cam’s supervisor at the Sova County Sheriff’s Department. He is a good man who is worried for Ana’s safety. He leads the search for the missing girl when new evidence leads to a specific location.
Logan Trager
Logan and Ana have been dating for the past 8 months. He is a handsome, only child who was spoiled by his mother and expects everything to be his way. He works for Craftway Systems, Inc. where he sales and services computers. When his belligerent attitude and insistence lead to a breakup, he becomes sullen and angry. He tells Ana in no uncertain terms that he will pay her back for leaving him.
MacKenzie Jennings
Mac is Ana’s older sister who works out of her home as an interior decorator. The 5’4″ beauty with auburn hair and violet blue eyes would love to spend more time with her sister if she were not so busy caring for her children and husband. With a 3-year-old son and 11-month-old daughter, she can only get away for short periods to join Ana at the gym. She vows to make more time after Ana disappears.
Sam Tesch
Ana’s 55-year-old supervisor who has worked at Sova County EMS for over 30 years. He started out as a dispatcher. He is something of a father figure to his crews and is quick to follow the advice of the detective who wants Ana off the road for her own safety.
Donofrio Cheek
Cheek, over 6′ and built like a linebacker, is the leader of the notorious Chosen 15. The gang is known by it’s red bandannas and tattoos of the number 15. Ana first encounters him at the scene of a shooting where she learns some disturbing news.
Eli Clarke
Eli works the same EMS shift with Ana. With his bright blue eyes, curly red hair, and freckles, he is the quintessential stereotype of class clown. His behavior becomes somewhat suspicious after Ana receives a gift and he begins calling her Angel.
Tyler Elliott
Tyler is a dark-haired firefighter with baby blue eyes that works for the Exelon Fire Department. He works the same shift that Ana works at EMS and routinely shows up on the same calls.
Daniel Monahan
Daniel is a corporal with the sheriff’s department who first meets Ana when he responds to a call at her house. A later altercation finds him in the hospital fighting for his life, even though he was instrumental in saving Cam.
Janice Culpepper
Janice is a fun-loving 5’2″ buxom blonde bombshell who first shows up for Ana’s CPR class. While the first impression of Janice is one of an airhead, we soon find out that she is intelligent and has a lot to offer. Originally from Exelon, she has been living in Charleston with her plastic surgeon husband and children. She recently moved back with her 2 boys when her husband left her for his office manager. She takes a job at Enigma and later becomes an instrumental part of the story.
Jimmy Shelton
Jimmy is a tall, lanky waiter at El Gato Negro who has muddy brown hair and green eyes. He went to school with Ana from Kindergarten until they graduated from high school and is a genuinely nice guy
Meet Bilbo – He was the inspiration for Ana’s cat, Oedipuss!
These are a few (but certainly not ALL) of the minor characters who appear throughout the book:
Gemma Santos
A matronly Hispanic lady with a dark bob that frames her rounds face. She has been married for 32 years and has 3 children and 5 grandchildren. She takes Ana’s CPR class with her friend, Lucy Wellborn.
Lucy Wellborn
Heavyset middle-aged lady with an ample bosom who convinces Gemma to take the CPR class with her. She has curly brown hair with blonde highlights that she covers with a rain hat when she’s out to keep her hair in place.
Ian Hanover
5’8″ deputy with Sova County. He has a slight, muscular build and a blonde buzz cut. He works several calls with Ana, including the assault of Harmony Post – a young girl who looks suspiciously like Ana.
Aubrey Laine
Tall, full-figured paramedic with long, dark curls who works the same shift as Ana.
Caleb Forrester
Sandy-haired EMT who volunteers with Sova County Rescue.
Dr. Veronica Wilkes
ER doctor who takes care of Zach. She is also the one who stops the code on the young gang member.
Noah Lindsey
Part-time EMT in his early 20s who is working his way through college. Average in looks, he makes up for it with his personality. He is riding with Ana during the standby.
Rykiel Webster
City firefighter who is new to Exelon, but obviously has lots of previous experience.
Kelly Mills
Dark-haired woman who volunteers with Sova County Rescue. Helps out at the first wreck.
Chase Dunlaney
City firefighter with a blonde crew cut who is recently out of the military. He also volunteers with Sova County Rescue.
Liesl Applegate
A spunky redhead who dispatches at night for Sova County EMS.
Jarius Duhart
Handsome part-time EMT who works full-time for the local power company. He just happens to be riding with Eli during the standby.
Rhonda J. Hunt, Author 