“You’re not the only one who’s onto her.” A blonde dressed in skintight jeans, a red sequined tank top, and crimson stilettos pushed her way between Flint and Rex.
Skye shrank back against the wall. She hadn’t realized there was anyone else in the Airstream.
Cocking her thumb at Rex, the woman said, “I warned him about that girl. I told him I didn’t trust her as far as I could run in high heels.”
“Kallista, sweetheart.” Rex sandwiched the blonde’s fingers between both of his palms, “I’m sure something terrible must have happened to keep Suzette away. You know she was dying to sing for her hometown and show everyone how far she’d come.”
“She probably isn’t even really from this place.” Kallista blew an irritated breath through heavily glossed lips. “She only said she was after you told her you’d decided to open the new country music theater here.”
Skye blinked. A country music theater in Scumble River? How would people react to that? It was hard to tell. They generally didn’t like anything different, but this smacked of fame and glamour, so maybe they’d be more accepting than they’d been last month when the new bookstore had opened.
“Now, Baby Girl, how about you do your Big Daddy an itty-bitty favor and go back in the bedroom and try calling Suzette again? Then later tonight Big Daddy will do you just how you like.” Rex turned Kallista around and patted her on the rear until she started walking.
Skye squirmed, but focused back on the action when Rex said to Flint, “You have to help me out here. I thought you were a team player.”
“Right. And what did that get me last time? A blown knee and a ruined career.” Flint shook his head. “Now I’m looking out for number one.”
“With that attitude, I don’t know how you fool all your fans into thinking you’re such a nice guy.”
“Really?” Flint made a scornful noise. “You’re the one who taught me that sincerity is everything, and once you can fake that, you’ve got it made.”
Rex ignored Flint’s jab. “You seem to be forgetting that you’re my creation.” Rex snapped off each word as if they were bites of peanut brittle. “Without me you’d still be singing at a honky-tonk, living in your truck, and depending on the tips from a pickle jar to eat.”
“Don’t give me that crap. We both know you didn’t do me any favors.” Flint spat out the words contemptuously. “If I hadn’t been a damn good singer and songwriter, you wouldn’t have raised a finger to help me.”
“There’s more to success in this business than talent,” Rex retaliated, his voice rising.
“Bullshit!” Flint moved until he was nose to nose with the other man. “Now find that little whore, and get her out onstage before I really get mad.” He grasped Rex’s lapels and lifted him off his feet. “I’m not letting you or her ruin this career for me.”
Denise Swanson
The Scumble River Mysteries
When Skye Denison left Scumble River years ago,
she swore she’d never return. But after a fight with
her boyfriend and credit card rejection, she’s back to
home-sweet-homicide.
MURDER OF A SMALL-TOWN HONEY
MURDER OF A SWEET OLD LADY
MURDER OF A SLEEPING BEAUTY
MURDER OF A SNAKE IN THE GRASS
MURDER OF A BARBIE AND KEN
MURDER OF A PINK ELEPHANT
MURDER OF A SMART COOKIE
MURDER OF A REAL BAD BOY
MURDER OF A BOTOXED BLONDE
MURDER OF A CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRY
MURDER OF A ROYAL PAIN
MURDER OF A WEDDING BELLE
Available wherever books are sold or at penguin.com
S394
Kate Collins
Abby Knight is the proud owner of her hometown flower shop. She has a gift for arranging flowers—and for solving crimes.
“A sharp and funny heroine.”
—Maggie Sefton
Available wherever books are sold or at penguin.com
S914
Leann Sweeney
