Union Jacked

by Diane Vallere

  Detective Loncar said something, and Victoria laughed. He smiled, and years of misery fell away from his curmudgeonly aura. He stood a little straighter. My eyes dampened, and I reached out for Nick’s arm.

  “Kidd,” he said. He looked confused by my expression, and then followed my gaze to Loncar and Victoria and nodded knowingly. “Looks like he’s enjoying the party after all,” he said.

  At that moment, the festivities were interrupted by a display of fireworks that colored the night sky. Attendees moved outside the tent to get a better view, but I didn’t follow. I was happy right where I was.

  Victoria turned and smiled. She raised her champagne flute in my direction, and I smiled back.

  “The bar is open. How about some champagne to celebrate?” Nick asked.

  “Actually . . .” My voice trailed off. I shifted my focus from the detective and sales executive to Nick and grinned. “I think I’d rather a spot of tea.”

  Epilogue

  WANTED

  Office assistant for new private investigation firm.

  Owned by retired police detective with 25+ years of experience.

  Experience with technology a plus.

  Pay: negotiable. Location: Ribbon, Pennsylvania.

  Call 1-800-4LONCAR.

  Equal Opportunity Employer.

  (Former fashion buyers need not apply)

  Afterword

  From Diane:

  Spending time in Samantha Kidd’s world is always filled with nostalgia, but UNION JACKED was even more so. While writing this book, I moved from California back to Pennsylvania to the very real town that served as the inspiration for Samantha Kidd’s Ribbon, PA. And while I always knew Samantha’s version was closer to the town of my memories than reality, I couldn’t ignore how much things had changed since I left in 1998.

  It was unavoidable for a sense of change to permeate this story. Samantha will always pursue happiness and personal growth (which, not coincidentally, so will I.). And when the bullet struck Detective Loncar at the end of Chapter Three, we both had a moment when we realized how sad it would be to lose the people we once rallied against.

  As far as life coaches go, while I believe there are people who can help us all evolve into better versions of ourselves, that didn’t feel like The Samantha Way. She’ll keep falling down and getting back up and trying to figure things out on her own.

  I hope you enjoy this latest installment in Samantha Kidd’s story. She’ll be back before you know it!

  Sincerely,

  Diane

  P.S. A note about reviews: if you enjoyed this book, please leave a review. Reviews help readers find books and series, and Samantha Kidd would love knowing her antics helped bring joy and happiness to more people’s lives. No matter how brief or how long, your review makes a difference.

  About the Author

  After two decades working for a top luxury retailer, Diane Vallere traded fashion accessories for accessories to murder. She is a national bestselling author and a past president of Sisters in Crime. She started her own detective agency at age ten and has maintained a passion for shoes, clues, and clothes ever since.

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  Acknowledgments

  Every book I write has a unique mix of inspiration that leaves its fingerprint on the final product, and Union Jacked is no different. Shoptalk members Amy Ross-Jolly, Patricia Gregory, Nadine Peterse-Vrijhof, Sydney Cavero-Egúsquiza, Sheryl Positano Sens, Pat Dupuy, Kara Vaughan Marks, Judy Johnson, Barbara Harrison, Lilia Tanakeyowma, and Shawna Zimmerman Gregg for contributing names of Fish and Chip eateries. Thank you to my sister and brother-in-law for answering the critical questions for this manuscript, like what is the English equivalent to a pretzel? Jordaina Sydney-Robinson for being my writing friend from across the pond. Frank Mazurkiewicz for articles about my swimming career in the eighties for the Reading Eagle/Times. Cara Alwill Leyba for Style Your Mind, the best personal growth podcast for women. Geri Halliwell for making tiny little Union Jack dresses a thing. Christopher Guest and Rob Reiner for This Is Spinal Tap. The Polyester Posse, for your support. The D.I.A. (You know who you are.) Readers of the Weekly DiVa, who make up my community! And last but very much not least, my parents, for your support, respect, understanding, and never-ending supply of pretzels. I love you all.

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  Buyer, Beware

  The Brim Reaper

  Some Like It Haute

  Grand Theft Retro

  Pearls Gone Wild

  Cement Stilettos

  Panty Raid

  Union Jacked

  Slay Ride

  Madison Night Mad for Mod Mysteries

  “Midnight Ice” Novella

  Pillow Stalk

  That Touch of Ink

  With Vics You Get Eggroll

  The Decorator Who Knew Too Much

  The Pajama Frame

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  Mermaid Mystery Novellas

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  Suede to Rest

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  Costume Shop Mystery Series

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  Non-Fiction

  Bonbons for your Brain