Kindle Edition
Amazon
Category:
Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Ink Lion Books
ISBN-10: 1523645261
Type: Fiction
Pages: 298
Copyright: January, 2016
ISBN-13: 9781523645268
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
PI Claire DeNardo is afraid of lots of things, but she still agrees to find a client's former topless dancer girlfriend. Too bad that girlfriend is found dead after visiting Claire's client.
Private Investigator Claire DeNardo reluctantly takes on a case presented by her part-time employee, Ed. Ed’s cousin, Merle, is searching for his former girlfriend, a topless dancer who ran with a rough crowd. But it’s too late. The woman has been killed and Merle, who is now Claire’s client, is arrested. When Claire digs into the victim’s past, she uncovers a thriving illegal drug trade. Her fears about this case double when she learns about the mobster who is behind the unlawful business. All this while dodging Police Detective Brian Corrigan’s determined efforts to get her off the case and into his arms.
Excerpt
My mind whirled, debating if I should take this case. My gut churned the toaster pastry I had for breakfast. I weighed the possibility of danger versus paying my bills. Taking care of my bills won. Plus, Merle, who seemed like a nice guy, was Ed’s cousin and I owed Ed.
He leaned forward. “Do you think you can find her?”
I studied Coco’s picture again. “I’ll do my best.”
After Merle signed the contract, he provided me with his contact information and paid me half-down. I began my internet search for Lourdes Maria Sanchez, aka Coco. Interesting stuff. Merle and Ed both said she danced. Either they didn’t know, or didn’t want to tell me, she paraded around topless at The Venus Trap, a club in Tampa. If the place was as classy as the name implied, she probably met some unsavory characters working there. I wondered if anyone there remembered her or had anything to do with her disappearance.
From the information I could find, Coco had lived with Federico Carreras, Rico for short. Until he went away to serve three of a five year prison sentence for possession of drugs with intent to sell. That had been two years ago. He’d been out on parole for ten months.
Coco’s first Cleveland area address was a duplex in the Ohio City area. I wondered if she’d started a new life but returned to her former one when Rico got out of prison.
Not much else in the way of background on Coco or Rico. Any further information could only be gained by pavement pounding. First on my list was her brother, Tony Sanchez. A private investigator can get people to open up, or shut up. I hoped my being a PI got Tony talking.
I left the office rehearsing my questions, but Ed’s call interrupted the practice. “Hey, kiddo. Merle says he hired you.” He cleared his throat. “Reason I called was to remind you my services are free with this case. Since it’s family and all. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t collect your fees from him. He’s got a good job. Excavation.”
Ed served as my protector and muscle. I stifled a groan, hoping there would be no need for his help. My nerves needed a break after the Corozza job so I wanted to believe Coco’s disappearance and call revolved around her abandoning one lover for another and then having second thoughts. Resolved with tears, but no violence.
“Thanks, Ed. I’ll keep your offer in mind.”
He sounded surprised, even disappointed. “If you’re sure. What’re you up to now?”
“Going over to the West City Lounge on West 32nd and Lorain.”
“I hope it’s not to spice up your dating life. That place caters to people even bums look down on.”
“Go ahead, yuk it up. Coco’s brother, Tony, works there.”
“Why didn’t you say so? I’ll meet you there. Bye.” He hadn’t given me a chance to refuse.
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