by Gail Oust
“Lance has appeared in dozens of TV shows and had bit parts in a score of movies. He’s what they call a ‘character’ actor. The play he was in in Atlanta had just ended its run when we happened to meet.”
“Let me see.” Polly snatched the picture from Janine and, bringing it closer to her nose, squinted at it. “Yeah, sure, now I recognize him. Didn’t he do one of those commercials for men who can’t get it up?”
Claudia’s face reddened as she retrieved the photo and stuffed it back into her handbag.
“You know the kind I mean,” Polly continued, unfazed. “In the commercial, the guy takes a pill of some sort. Next thing you know, he’s leading a woman off to the bedroom.”
“Lance has done all sorts of work,” Claudia replied stiffly. “He’s quite talented but never got his big break. He plans to drop by after bunco. He’s got a proposition for you . . .” She paused for effect, then smiled a cat-with-a-canary smile before continuing. “It’s a very important proposition.”
“One more question,” Polly chirped. “Lance Ledeaux? That his real name?”
I poured Claudia a glass of wine. She looked like she needed one.
Books by Gail Oust
Spice Shop Mysteries
Rosemary and Crime
Kill ’Em with Cayenne
Cinnamon Toasted
Kate McCall Mysteries
Murder is Dicey
Roll Over and Play Dead (coming soon)
Death Rolls the Dice (coming soon)
About the Author
Friends often accuse Gail Oust of flunking retirement. While working as a nurse/vascular technologist, Gail penned nine historical romances under the pseudonym Elizabeth Turner for Avon, Pocket, Berkley, and Kensington. It wasn’t until after she and her husband retired to South Carolina that inspiration struck for a mystery. Hearing the words “maybe it’s a dead body” while golfing with friends fired her imagination for this series. Gail is currently writing the Spice Shop Mysteries for Minotaur/St. Martin’s. When she isn’t reading, writing, or sleeping, she can usually be found on the golf course or hanging out with friends.
