“He must have planned everything for months.”
“Six, at least. That’s when he stole the cyanide from Castleberry.” I squirted sunscreen on Bill’s bare chest. “He married Sophia only because he knew she was dying, hoping in a matter of a few years to have all her money and no ball and chain. A trained actor, he played the devoted husband and waited. Then Karen and Dr. Tillett appeared on the scene and restored Sophia to health. Frustrated the hell out of Morelli, who’d planned to claim his inheritance within a couple of years and run. Sophia could have lived a long life once she brought her weight and diabetes under control, so he was forced to take drastic action.”
“Then the old woman was right?”
“Sophia had confided to Anastasia that her marriage was on the rocks, but Morelli used the Gianakis family feud to his advantage, turning any accusations the aunt made against him back onto her. The aunt’s testimony helped convince the grand jury. She brought letters Sophia had written to cousins in Greece that arrived weeks after her funeral. They expressed her desire for a divorce, her intention to change her will, and her fear that Lester might harm her before she could leave the country.”
Anastasia had inherited Sophia’s estate. She had put the restaurant and resort on the market and planned to use the proceeds for a shelter for stray cats.
“We couldn’t have caught Morelli without your help,” I said. “I wonder if there’s any way to make Councilman Ulrich understand the importance of adequate manpower.”
“Don’t you mean personpower, O Liberated One?” Bill scooped a blob of lotion off his chest and flicked it at me.
I snorted in what my mother would have termed a very unladylike way. “I can’t worry about semantics. Liberated is as liberated does.”
He sat up and grabbed my hands, still slick with sunscreen. “How about liberating yourself from this job? If you insist on working, we can form our own private detective agency, call our own shots.”
“Skerritt and Malcolm?”
“Hmm, S & M. It has a certain ring to it. Even better, how about M & M, Malcolm and Malcolm. Marry me.”
I was convinced he was joking, as usual. I could solve murders, but had yet to learn to put together the pieces of my personal life. I shook my head and grinned. “I have just the ticket to cure you of any matrimonial ambitions toward me.”
“What?”
“Thanksgiving’s next week. The Queen Mother is having dinner catered at her house. Why not join us?”
“Ah, Margaret.” He put his arms around me. “Finally taking me home to meet the family. You may end up married to me yet.”
“Once you meet my mother, trust me, you’ll change your mind.”
“I’ve been after you for almost twenty years. What makes you think I’d give up now?”
Twenty years? Now I was sure he was teasing, and I couldn’t help myself. He’d set me up. “Old age?”
I jogged down to the breakers to wash off the sand he’d tossed on me.
Bill followed. “Be serious, Margaret. We’d make a great P.I. team.”
“And spend the rest of my life tracking down errant husbands and cheating wives? No, thanks.”
“Then at least promise you’ll retire from the department.”
“No promises, except one.” I put my arms around his neck and kissed him. “You’ll always be my best friend.”
He leaned back and grinned.
“What are you smiling at?” I asked.
“Best friends. You’ll find yourself married to me yet, Skerritt.”
“Don’t hold your breath, Malcolm. I’m an avowed spinster, set in my ways.”
His grin widened and his blue eyes twinkled. “I love a challenge.”
“You want a challenge? Last one in the water buys dinner tonight.”
I scrambled to my feet and ran through the soft sand toward the water’s edge. Bill caught up with me, grabbed me around the waist and kissed me.
“I’m not giving up, Maggie.”
Shaken by the determination in his voice, I cupped his face in my hands. “Good,” I said, and kissed him back.
Look for the next Maggie Skerritt mystery,
HOLIDAYS ARE MURDER,
coming in December 2005 only from
Charlotte Douglas and Harlequin NEXT.
COMING NEXT MONTH
Be enthralled, moved, thrilled, delighted…and satisfied by exceptional reads from outstanding authors and well-loved series.
Come back every two weeks for newly released selections in eight varied categories offering stories that appeal to every taste and mood.
Have a great time!
AVAILABLE NOW
Showcase
Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books. Big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books
KILLER TAKES ALL by Erica Spindler, MIRA (psychological thriller)
BEFORE SUNRISE by Diana Palmer, HQN (contemporary romance)
DARK SKY by Carla Neggers, MIRA (romantic suspense)
50 HARBOR STREET by Debbie Macomber, MIRA (women’s fiction)
GHOST WALK by Heather Graham, MIRA (paranormal mystery)
MASQUERADE by Brenda Joyce, HQN (historical romance)
Sexy Reads
Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents
THE ITALIAN’S STOLEN BRIDE by Emma Darcy, Harlequin Presents
UNCONTROLLABLE by Susan Kearney, Harlequin Blaze
WHATEVER RILEY WANTS by Maureen Child, Silhouette Desire
SEXY ALL OVER by Jamie Sobrato, Harlequin Blaze
HOT TO THE TOUCH by Jennifer Greene, Silhouette Desire
TALKING ABOUT SEX… by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Harlequin Blaze
THE TYCOON’S TROPHY WIFE by Miranda Lee, Harlequin Presents
Romantic Suspense
Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments
MAN OF HER DREAMS by Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue
LOVING THE LONE WOLF by Ingrid Weaver, Silhouette Intimate Moments
GHOST HORSE by Patricia Rosemoor, Harlequin Intrigue
SUSPICIOUS by Heather Graham, Silhouette Intimate Moments
RIDER ON FIRE by Sharon Sala, Silhouette Intimate Moments
SECURITY MEASURES by Joanna Wayne, Harlequin Intrigue
Inspirational
Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chic lit from Steeple Hill Café.
LOVING FEELINGS by Gail Gaymer Martin, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
FOR THE TWINS’ SAKE by Jillian Hart, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
NOTE OF PERIL by Hannah Alexander, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS by Elizabeth White, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
BLACK HILLS BRIDE by Deb Kastner, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
WINDINGO TWILIGHT by Colleen Rhoads, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
MILLION DOLLAR DILEMMA by Judy Baer, Steeple Hill Café
STORM CLOUDS by Cheryl Wolverton, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
DIE BEFORE NIGHTFALL by Shirlee McCoy, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
DECK THE HALLS by Arlene James, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
Women’s Fiction
Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next
THERE’S ALWAYS PLAN B by Susan Mallery, Harlequin Next
RIGGS PARK by Ellyn Bache, Harlequin Next
CUTTING THROUGH by Joan Hohl, Harlequin Next
THE ME I USED TO BE by Jennifer Archer, Harlequin Next
CUTTING THROUGH by Joan Hohl, Harlequin Next
PELICAN BAY by Charlotte Douglas, Harlequin Next
Women’s Action Adventure
ONCE A THIEF by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell
HOT PURSUIT by Kathryn Jensen, Silhouette Bombshell
DEVIL’S BARGAIN by Rachel Caine, Silhouette Bombshell
THE GOLDEN GIRL by Erica Orloff, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries
FLAWLESS by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries
Chick Lit
Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink
WITH OR WITHOUT YOU by Carole Matthews, Red Dress Ink
KILLER SUMMER by Lynda Curnyn, Red Dress Ink
DO THEY WEAR HIGH HEELS IN HEAVEN? By Erica Orloff, Red Dress Ink
THE NIGHT I GOT LUCKY by Laura Caldwell, Red Dress Ink
Fantasy/Science Fiction
Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books
THE DESTINED QUEEN by Deborah Hale, LUNA
URBAN SHAMAN by C.E. Murphy, LUNA
POISON STUDY by Maria V. Snyder, LUNA
IN STONE’S CLASP by Christie Golden, LUNA
ON SALE NOVEMBER 1ST
Showcase
Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books. Big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books
CODE NAME: BABY by Christina Skye, HQN Books (romantic suspense)
Romantic Suspense
Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments
EPIPHANY by Rita Heron, Mallery Kane, Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue
Inspirational
Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chic lit from Steeple Hill Café.
HER BROTHER’S KEEPER by Valerie Hansen, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
Women’s Fiction
Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next
STARTING FROM SCRATCH by Marie Ferrarella, Harlequin Next
Fantasy/Science Fiction
Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books
WINTER MOON by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee, C.E. Murphy, LUNA
ON SALE NOVEMBER 15TH
Sexy Reads
Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents
BOSS MAN by Diana Palmer, Silhouette Desire
Inspirational
Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chic lit from Steeple Hill Café.
WEDDING AT WILDWOOD by Lenora Worth, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
Women’s Action Adventure
Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell
LETHALLY BLONDE by Nancy Bartholomew, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries
Chic Lit
Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink
SCENES FROM A HOLIDAY by Laurie Graff, Caren Lissner, Melanie Murray, Red Dress Ink
Pelican Bay Page 19
