Are you always looking for a new book? And when you read it, if you’re like me, you want more. Well… this book is the first in a 6-book series that will keep you involved and highly entertained to the end.
Forced to take on a new partner – after a serial rapist attacks her former one – annoys Aurora big time. Especially when he’s the kind of cowboy hotshot she normally stays as far away from as possible. But… because they both want this lowlife creep, she ignores the irritating explosions they set off from one another. Gritting her teeth, she puts up with him… barely. Finding and making this slimeball pay for his sickening crimes is her ultimate goal.
Suspenseful and fast-paced, this revamped short story will introduce you to crime in Las Vegas and to the people who fight that crime, Detective Aurora Morelli and Detective Kai Lawson. These are the same characters who star in the full-length sequel “Roll the Dice” and in the complete 6-box collection The Vegas Series.
Excerpt:
The strange-looking black purse on Debbie’s old desk the next morning warned Aurora that very likely her new partner had arrived. Other than the name, Kai Lawson, she knew nothing about her at all. Strange name, Kai, not one she’d heard before. Maybe this girl came from Hawaii? What a weird-looking purse! Hope this gal wasn’t too butch. It could be embarrassing, seeing as how Aurora had always looked so damn feminine. Not something she worked on.
She started her computer, picked up her Coyote hockey mug, and then went to the coffee area seeking her third hit of the day. Hadn’t had time to do a drive-through this morning, and her system craved its usual dose. “Hey, Ham. Thanks again for your backup last night. It worked out pretty smooth. So far, it’s the best lead we’ve gotten on Rhondo since the latest incident.”
“Sure, Morelli, no problem. I organized the tail on Ross like you wanted. You were right. He lit out last night to Reno. We also put the tap on his cell. He’s been a good lad and hasn’t used it. I had a buddy of mine pick him up at the bus depot when he hit town. Make sure the snake didn’t do anything stupid like tip off Rhondo.”
“Sweet. I knew I could count on you. Hey! You seen any female strangers around here this morning? There’s a purse on Deb’s desk that tells me my new partner has arrived.”
Ham’s eyes crinkled before the grin hit or the chuckle burst loose. “Oh-boy-oh-boy-oh-boy. Is the shit gonna hit the fan?”
“Hey, come back here! What do you mean?” A slight buzzing started in her head and the wave of apprehension wouldn’t shift. “John Hampton, you come back here and face me like a man.”
“Ain’t gonna happen, it’s not my story to tell.”
Knowing that the big Irishman wouldn’t budge, Aurora stalked to her cubicle. All she saw at first was a pair of cowboy boots at least size twelve on the edge of the desk. The faded jeans that covered the muscular legs gave her the next clue and the bald head cinched it.
Her new partner was a man.
Not just any man. He was the type she used to fall for in her younger years. The cocky dude who knew he was prime. Sexy as all get out, Mr. Hotshot who’d been spoiled by the ladies and loved the attention. Before she could react, Cory appeared in the doorway wearing the look of a boss who wasn’t about to put up with any of her shit. As her mouth opened, his hand went up.
“Not a word, Aurora.”
Her mouth refused to close. Her finger pointed at the sloucher who sat watching this interaction wearing a cheeky grin below his flashy blue eyes. “No way!”
“Not open for discussion. You both have good reasons to want Rhondo as much as I do, and I figure working together, sharing your files, you’ll get him. That’s all I care about.”
She’d never heard Cory use that tone with her before. Filtering the facts through her head faster than most, she knew at once that she didn’t have a hope in hell of losing this purse-carrying cowboy. Before the words ‘then I quit!’ could be uttered, Ham burst in, an unusual excitement billowing around him like an aura of static electricity.
“Hey boss, just got a call. A couple of rookies are shooting it out with a guy who sure sounds like Rhondo and a few of his friends. The young cops flagged his driver for speeding, and instead of pulling over the schmuck took off. They gave chase and ended up in the same con as before. They’re pinned down, trapped in that bloody underground lot.”
Before he’d finished, Aurora had her gun in the holster and her jacket halfway on. Twisted, it gave her trouble until she felt someone undo the sleeve and help her into it. “Thanks.” Grudgingly she remembered her manners.
“Hey, what are partners for?” He waved her to go first and took up the rear.
Cory unblocked the doorway. “I’m stuck here. Have a meeting with the mayor.” Frustration sounded in his voice. “You two go and get that son-of-a-bitch and play nice with each other. You hear?”
“Yes, boss!” In unison, the words had more oomph, and as she passed Ham, Aurora caught the silly smirk he didn’t bother to hide.
“Quit grinning like an idiot and grab some of the others. That bastard’s not getting away this time. Not if I can help it.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
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