Secrets and Stilettos (Murder In Style Book 1)

by Gina LaManna

  The gun in her hands swiveled wildly as I hit my mark. Brenda screeched, a hand clawing at her face to clear the burn. I lunged out of the way, and a shot rang out a second later. My head throbbed, and my hearing felt dull and sluggish. The bullet had taken a chunk out of the wall.

  I launched a second attack as I rose to my feet and rushed at Brenda. I needed to get the gun from her hand. When I was close enough, I tossed the loose shimmer powder at Brenda’s face. I knew from experience it stung like the devil when it got in the eyes.

  Brenda’s cry of frustration told me I’d hit my mark for a second time. The powder hit her skin, mixing with the dripping perfume to create a cakey slop, and as she raised a hand to wipe her eyes free, I dove at her waist.

  We clattered to the floor, arms and limbs intertwined and tangling. Brenda’s shooting hand crashed into the wooden floorboards of the hallway as we tussled out of the living room and rolled, and rolled, and rolled. The gun skidded away, just out of reach as I pinned her down.

  “You won’t make it a second dead body,” I gasped. “I’m not going out that easily.”

  “Neither am I,” Brenda growled. She landed a well-placed kick that sent me sprawling. She scrambled to her feet, but instead of going for the gun across the room, she held a shoe in her hand. My shoe. “Then again, Hollywood, maybe it’s best you go out the way you came in.”

  “Don’t you dare ruin another perfectly good pair of shoes!” I snarled, scrambling away from her. My elbow hurt, and I could taste blood, but I ignored it all as Brenda charged.

  She swiped at me with the heel, but I dodged it and wrapped around her knees. She screamed, toppling over as I forced the shoe out of her hand. In my haste to disarm her, she got a solid punch in straight to my nose, and I felt blood spurt down my face as I recoiled.

  At that moment, the door burst open and two male bodies appeared, Cooper first, Matt just behind him. I sat heavily on Brenda’s chest, struggling as she writhed underneath me.

  “A little help?” I gasped. “I forgot the pepper spray in the car.”

  Cooper rushed to my side and had Brenda restrained—lying on her face with her hands cuffed behind her back—in under a minute. Matt took up the slack, hurrying to my aid and helping me limp away from Brenda’s scathing commentary.

  “Um, Jenna—question.” Cooper glanced at me, satisfied that Matt had done his once over and declared me physically sound, save for a bloody nose and some bruises. “Why is there glitter everywhere?”

  “It’s not glitter,” I said through a nose stuffed with gauze. “It’s shimmer powder. Get your weapons straight, chief.”

  Chapter 23

  “It’s the purple princess,” Matt said with a broad grin as I stepped into his house the next morning. “How are you feeling?”

  “Would you hate me if I begged you for a cup of coffee?” I raised a hand to my aching nose. “I didn’t have time to make it to the store yesterday.”

  Matt laughed. “Would you hate me if I had a friendly breakfast for two ready and waiting? I figured you’d be over.”

  “I’m that easy to predict, huh?”

  “Call me optimistic,” he said, smiling cheerfully. “Come on in—you look... colorful.”

  Yesterday’s tussle had granted me two pretty purple eyes. I had spent a good chunk of time after my shower this morning studying the exact patterns of blues and deep purples that made up my black eyes for research purposes. If I ever found my way back into Hollywood, I would be able to replicate bruises like nobody’s business. I’d have to update my resume.

  After my tussle with Brenda, yesterday had passed quickly. I’d mostly been content to hide out at home, relishing in the safety of my own house, seeing as the murderer loose in Blueberry Lake was no more.

  I’d been forced to go to the hospital for a more thorough exam, but Matt’s assessments had been correct—I’d walked away with nothing save for an intimidating black eye, a few bruises and scratches, and the lifelong knowledge that I’d taken down a gun-wielding killer with nothing more than perfume and shimmer powder.

  After, I’d given Cooper my formal statement. It hadn’t taken long because Brenda had decided to sing like a bird in her efforts to try and convince everyone and their stepmother that Grant’s murder had been in self-defense. She mostly ignored the whole bit about attempting to kill me, too.

  The town seemed shocked by the development, Mr. Duvet most of all. He hadn’t taken the news well. His daughters, on the other hand, quickly discovered a somewhat delicious side effect of finding out their stepmother was a killer. Immediately, they became the center of town sympathy—and the Duvet girls reveled in it, wearing black dresses out and about, bursting sporadically into tears as if in mourning.

  I’d let everyone else carry on with the gossip while I’d hunkered down alone with my magazines. One blissful night’s sleep later and some puffy skin, and I was feeling as good as new. Good enough to crawl back to Matt’s kitchen and properly beg him for coffee.

  As we sat down to breakfast, I caught a whiff of fresh maple syrup, and I saw the French toast fresh off the griddle. We ate in near silence simply because everything tasted that good. When we finished, I pushed my plate back and rested my hands on my stomach.

  “That’s a cure for everything,” I said. “Thank you, Matt. You didn’t have to do that.”

  “Neighborly duties,” he said with a wink. “More coffee?”

  “Please.”

  As he refilled my cup, I reflected on the easy space between us. There was no pressure to impress, no awkward silences, and even our lapses in conversation were comfortable.

  “Matt,” I began.

  “Don’t,” he said, then quickly corrected himself. “I mean, don’t try to explain. I know what you’re feeling.”

  “You do?”

  “I like this,” he said with an easy shrug. “I enjoy being around you. I mean that, Jenna.”

  The knock on the front door startled me from responding. I glanced at Matt. “Who knows I’m here?”

  “I’ll give you one guess.”

  I winced. “Sorry.”

  Matt waved me off. “Coop texted to say he’d swing by. Said he needed to bring you down to the station to answer a few last questions.”

  I glanced down at myself, grateful I’d showered and dressed in normal clothes this morning. By the time I stood up, Cooper had let himself into Matt’s house and appeared surprisingly chipper in his nice-looking jeans and quarter-zip sweater. He smiled at me, and I grinned back.

  “Mind if I steal you for a bit?” Cooper asked. “I have a few red-tape things that need to be taken care of. I’ll buy you a muffin from June’s if you need a bribe.”

  “I’m stuffed to the gills,” I said. “But I’d take another coffee.”

  Cooper’s eyes flicked past my shoulder, down the hall to where the remnants of breakfast lingered on the kitchen table. “Of course,” he said easily. “I’m glad to see you’ve ignored all advice about sensible shoes. May I?”

  I ignored his sarcasm and looped my hand around his. I was wearing heels—the very same heels Brenda had used against me. I wasn’t going to let her terrify me into wearing ballet flats for the rest of my life. It was a bright, almost-spring day, and I had felt like looking good when I woke up this morning. (Aside from the whole black eye issue.)

  I bid goodbye to Matt, hopped in the car with Coop, and we made our way toward the station. I was barely paying attention, focused instead on the rapidly depleting snow mounds as I wondered if it was time to start bringing Gran’s house back to life.

  I’d really need to sort my job situation out soon so I could afford the repairs needed. I had some savings left, but nothing substantial for the long run, and it would drain quickly once repairs started.

  But the thought of renovating my grandmother’s cottage-style flowerbeds and stuffed-full herb gardens was exciting. The berry bushes—blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, and more—would be turning green soon enough, and the ap
ple tree in the back yard would spout its gorgeously pungent flowers. Best of all, the lilacs would be peeping out within months. Today felt like a fresh start full of blooming and greenery and life.

  As we drove, I thought back to Allie’s mother requesting a styling appointment, and Stacey Simone’s excitement at winning a prize package to Something Old. Maybe I could find a way to bring enough business to my mother’s store that I could afford to go full time with her. It might not be my forever career, but it would be a wonderful start.

  “What are you thinking about?” Cooper asked out of the blue. “You look concerned.”

  “Concentrated.” I glanced over at him and gave a cautious smile. “I think I’m feeling happy. Really happy.”

  He smiled, reached over and squeezed my hand. We drove the rest of the way like that, and I was so distracted by the feel of his fingers on mine that I barely noticed we hadn’t pulled into the station’s parking lot like he’d said, but somewhere else entirely.

  “But this is—” I hesitated. “What are we doing at my mother’s shop?”

  “I needed to grab a quick statement from Allie, too,” he said, climbing from the car. “Do you mind?”

  “Allie?” I frowned, following suit. “But she didn’t do anything. I mean, her nail polish skills are horrendous, but you can’t arrest her for that.”

  My joke fell flat as Cooper navigated the walkway to Something Old and pushed through the door without waiting for me. Disgruntled, I hurried behind him. I threw the door open, mid-retort. “Hey, mister, what do you think—”

  “Surprise!”

  All at once, oodles of faces appeared before me. Men and women burst from hiding places across my mother’s shop. Heads poked out from behind racks and limbs waved from between hangers. Most of them familiar, though there were a slew of folks I didn’t recognize.

  “Welcome home, darling,” my mother said, standing happily at the front of the pack. “To you and your bags.”

  “What is this?” I glanced around the room spotting everyone I cared about. Mrs. Beasley, Cooper, and Allie. A woman standing next to Allie who was probably her mother. May and Joe, wrapped in an adorable embrace. Stacey Simone and a herd from the bingo crowd. My mother and Sid, of course, and the entire Duvet bridal party. And finally, June Bixby and her grandson.

  “Matt?” My mouth parted as I spotted him. “How’d you beat me here?”

  “Cooper did some creative driving to buy me time,” Matt said with a grin. “Welcome home, Jenna.”

  June smiled and hugged her grandson. There was a cake on the table that featured a pair of high heels and some sort of edible glitter, along with balloons and confetti, and in the middle of it all...

  “My bags!” I darted across the room and draped myself over my luggage. Someone had perched each one next to the cake on the table. I hugged each bag to my chest and maybe kissed one of them on the zipper. “How did you get them?”

  “Allie went to the airport in person,” Cooper said, grinning at me. “That’s why we didn’t question her about her alibi. She was hunting down your bags—that’s why she couldn’t tell you her alibi at bingo the other night. It would have ruined the surprise.”

  “Oh, Allie,” I said, and pulled myself to my feet. “I’m so sorry I doubted you. Thank you for everything.”

  “No problem,” she said, stepping forward and engulfing me in a hug. “Maybe I can keep these red heels as a little thank-you for getting the bags back.”

  “They’re yours,” I said, giving her a loud smack on the cheek and leaving behind a bright red lip-stain.

  “And the cake, is that from you?” I turned to hug June. “It looks incredible.”

  “No, but I’ll take that hug anyway,” June said, beckoning toward me. She pulled me into an embrace that felt almost as if I were hugging Gran. “Welcome home, darling. Your grandmother would be so pleased you’re here.”

  I shared hugs around the room, earning an invite to the Duvet wedding and acquiring seven styling clients (thanks to Allie’s proud boasting of her new red shoes).

  May elbowed her way to the front of the crowd and pulled me into her own embrace, clucking her tongue. “You have been busy, lady. We’re glad you’re home.”

  “I’m glad to be home,” I said. “Please don’t be mad at me.”

  “Oh, honey, I’m not mad at you,” she said. “I was only mad the other night because I didn’t win the free styling package—it had nothing to do with Matt. That was a steal. I need two hundred bucks of free maternity clothes and someone to style them on me.”

  “Happy early baby shower,” I said. “That’ll be my gift to you.”

  She squealed in happiness. “Oh, and by the way,” she said, before the other guests could elbow me out of the way. “That cake? Matt à la Mode.”

  The party was a roaring success, and it was three hours later before guests started trickling out. The cake was demolished and half of my mother’s store had been emptied of inventory.

  “Look at that, Jenna,” my mother said, sidling up to me as she absently wiped crumbs from the table. “I guess Jenna’s Welcome Home Day out-performs Grant’s Murder Day in terms of sales. This is the highest grossing day ever, and I hadn’t even intended to sell a thing! We just wanted to celebrate you being home.”

  “Thanks, mom.” I gave her an affectionate squeeze. “I must admit, it is starting to feel like home.”

  “I’m so glad to hear that, honey.”

  “Although, I do have a favor to ask you,” I said, facing her with a determined look in my eye. “Drop the bet. Matt and Cooper are my friends.”

  “I know, darling. It’s dropped. May and I feel bad enough already,” Bea said. “I’ll let you find your other half on your own time. If that’s what you want.”

  “Thanks, mom. I appreciate it.”

  “Though you will need to take a plus one to the Duvet wedding,” she wheedled. “Any idea who you might be taking?”

  “Allie!” I called above the lingering crowd. “Wanna be my date to the Duvet wedding?”

  Allie stuck a foot out in response. “Only if I can wear these shoes.”

  “Deal.” I turned to my mother, who was doing a noble job of masking her disappointment. “Love you, mom. I’m glad to be home.”

  Cooper found his way over to me next. He’d spent most of the party hanging quietly around the outskirts. Frankly, I was surprised he’d stuck around at all.

  “You’re a woman in high demand,” he said softly. “I just wanted to say it’s good to have you home, Jenna.”

  “It’s good to be home,” I said. “Are you headed out? I’ll walk you to the car.”

  As we stepped outside, he shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot—what with Grant’s murder and all.”

  “I think we transitioned to the right foot,” I said cautiously. “Don’t you?”

  “Just about,” he said, and then leaned forward and pressed the lightest of kisses against my lips. “There we go, that’s better. Don’t you think?”

  “Cooper, I—”

  “I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist,” he said. “I’ll leave you alone now to figure things out.”

  He turned away and slid into his car without looking back. I felt a pang of something in my chest. Fresh beginnings, new relationships, exciting opportunities. On an impulse, I strolled over the car and knocked on the window. When Cooper rolled it down, I gave him a smile.

  “Don’t leave me too much alone, okay?” I said with a grin. “You owe me a muffin.”

  He returned the smile, a look of relief flooding his face. “See you around, Jenna.”

  “Bye, chief.”

  I watched Cooper drive away, then slid back into my mother’s store to help with cleanup. As I did, I got to thinking how a few misplaced luggage bags, a hunt for a murderer, and some fabulous new friends had me feeling like I belonged.

  Somehow, I sensed June might be right about more than just the weather. Spring was in
deed around the corner, but more than that, I suspected I’d found my new home in this funny little town called Blueberry Lake.

  THE END

  Author’s Note

  Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed meeting Jenna McGovern and the folks of Blueberry Lake. The second book in the series is available to be ordered on Amazon. Click HERE to see the synopsis!

  Thank you for reading!

  Gina

  Now for a thank you...

  To all my readers, especially those of you who have stuck with me from the beginning.

  By now, I’m sure you all know how important reviews are for Indie authors, so if you have a moment and enjoyed the story, please consider leaving an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads. I know you are all very busy people and writing a review takes time out of your day—but just know that I appreciate every single one I receive. Reviews help make promotions possible, help with visibility on large retailers and most importantly, help other potential readers decide if they would like to try the book.

  I wouldn’t be here without all of you, so once again—thank you.

  List of Gina's Books!

  Gina LaManna is the USA TODAY bestselling author of the Magic & Mixology series, the Lacey Luzzi Mafia Mysteries, The Little Things romantic suspense series, and the Misty Newman books.

  List of Gina LaManna’s other books:

  Women’s Fiction:

  Pretty Guilty Women

  Murder in Style:

  Secrets and Stilettos

  Lipstick and Lies

  The Hex Files:

  Wicked Never Sleeps

  Wicked Long Nights

  Wicked State of Mind

  Wicked Moon Rising

  Wicked All The Way

  Lola Pink Mystery Series:

  Shades of Pink

  Shades of Stars

  Shades of Sunshine

  Magic & Mixology Mysteries:

  Hex on the Beach