He smiled when he realized why.
She was Detective Madison Knight. She had made headlines for putting away the Russian Mafia czar, Dimitre Petrov, but the glory hadn’t lasted long. People like Petrov had a reach that extended from behind bars, and the rumor was that Petrov had gotten the attorney who had lost his case killed.
He must have hit the big-time to have Knight on his investigation. An adrenaline rush flowed over him, blanketing him in heat. Energy pulsed in his veins, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. He strained to draw in a satisfying breath.
Tap, tap.
Knuckles rapped against the driver’s-side window.
His heart slowed. His breath shortened. Slowly, he lifted his eyes to look at the source of the intrusion.
A police officer!
Stay calm. Play it cool.
He drew the cigarette to his lips. Damn, his nose hurt so much when he sucked air in that he had to fight crying out in pain. He left the cig perched between his fingers, and the cop motioned for him to put the window down.
“I need you to move your vehicle.”
Thank God for his dark-tinted glasses or the cop might see right through him. “Sure.”
The police officer bent over and peered into the car. “Are you all right, sir?”
Following the officer’s gaze to his unsteady hand holding the cigarette, he forced himself to raise it for another drag. His hand shook the entire way. “Yeah, I’m—” Her lifeless eyes flashed in his mind. He cleared his throat, hoping it would somehow dislodge his recollections. “Sure. I, uh…I’ll get out of your way immediately, Officer…Tendum.” He read the cop’s name from his shirt.
The cop’s gaze remained fixed on him, eye to eye.
Can he see through me, sunglasses and all? Is my guilt that obvious?
“All units confirm a secured perimeter.” The monotone voice came over the officer’s radio.
The cop turned the volume down without taking his eyes off him. “What happened to your nose?”
What is this uniform out to prove?
He forced another cough and then took yet another drag. He tapped the cigarette ash out the window. The office stepped to the side, but based on the look in his eyes, he wasn’t going anywhere.
He needed to give the cop an answer. His words escaped through gritted teeth. “Bar fight.”
The officer nodded. His eyes condemned him. “I need you to move your car—” he drummed his flattened palm on the roof “—and try to keep yourself out of trouble.”
Too late, Officer. Too late.
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Overview of Exercise is Murder
Getting in shape isn’t an easy walk in the park…
Running junkie Katie Carpenter takes a tumble down a ravine and ends up facedown in the Hudson River. The police conclude her death was an accident, but those who were close to Katie aren’t buying that she just tripped and fell—including her pro-athlete boyfriend. But it’s Katie’s fitness trainer and friend who hires the McKinleys to investigate.
Anything but an easy case to solve, Sean and Sara will break a sweat trying to figure out who had the most to gain from the young woman’s death. Sadly for Sean most of the evidence seems stacked against Katie’s boyfriend—a man Sean idolizes. Can he put aside being starstruck long enough to view things objectively? If Katie’s killer is going to be caught, he and Sara will need to remain flexible and it might require bending the rules a bit.
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About the Author
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures—and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures.
Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives in London, Ontario with her husband and beagles and is a member of Crime Writers of Canada and Sisters in Crime.
Connect with CAROLYN ARNOLD Online:
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Exercise Is Murder Page 18
