Danny peered over his shoulder as if he’d only just remembered the guy was there. “Oh, how rude of me. Mina, this is Angus, my closest friend and first reader. He used to be in law enforcement in Argleton – he nicked me a few times back in my wayward youth. He took early retirement, and his professional input has saved my bacon more than once. Angus, this is Mina, the bird who put this whole event together. Isn’t she knockin’?”
Angus offered a firm handshake. He had an open smile and one of those soft faces that made you want to instantly trust him.I bet he was totally hot when he was younger.“Nice to meet you, Mina. Thanks for promoting Danny. He’s been worried about the reception ofThe Somerset Strangler. It’s a lot gorier than his other books, as death by garroting can be a grisly death, especially if described with the level of detail Danny likes to lavish on his victims.”
“Tell me about it,” Jo said, sipping her drink. “No, seriously, tell me. I’ve never had a garroting case before. What kind of research do you do, Danny?”
“Don’t worry, ma’am. I’m not out knocking off people just to get the details right,” Danny grinned. “Angus here fills me in on a lot of the realism from his old cases, an’ of course I’ve got the internet, now don’t I? Let me tell you about this strangulation I read about the other day—”
My gaze flicked back to the door. Mum had disappeared into the crowd. Panic rose in my chest as I searched the shadowed faces.Please don’t let her embarrass me—
Danny slapped Angus on the shoulder. “…so that’s how we know our killer used a fabric ligature instead of wire. When it comes to realistic details, I’m not worried about anything. Angus does all the worrying for me. He thinks his professional reputation is on the line with every book I publish. He worked a high profile garroting case back when he was an inspector, but they never caught the killer.”
Jo looped her arm in Angus’. “Your drink appears to be empty, good sir. Let me show you to the bar for a refill, and you can tell me more about the history of garroting…”
Angus nodded, and left with Jo. Danny leaned in, giving me a wink. “You’d better tell your friend to watch out. Angus is a bit of a player. The whole reason he hangs out at these parties with me is for a bit of tail.”
“He might be so, but he’s not Jo’s type.”
“She not into greying ex-cops?”
“I’m sure the ex-cop is fine. It’s more the fact that he’s a he.”
Danny’s eyebrows went way up, and the expression on his face told me that he found the idea that Jo was a lesbian a turn-on. He leaned in close, nudging me with his arm. “And you? Are you guys…”
“I have a boyfriend,” I said, suddenly uncomfortable. It was so dumb how guysstillreacted like that when they heard a girl didn’t fancy blokes. Because of course, Jo’s sexual preferences were all abouthisenjoyment. A woman tapped Danny’s arm to ask him a question, and I managed to slip back into the crowd. I needed to find Mum before she launched into a sales pitch and—
“—all I have to do is wear the Flourish patch, and its transdermal vitamin technology transmits vital nutrients and calorie-burning stimulants directly into my bloodstream, helping me to burn excess fat.” Mum’s voice carried over the crowd. “Why, right now, as I’m drinking this free Champagne and eating these delicious sausage rolls, I’m burning fifty calories a minute…”
Bloody hell, I’m too late.
“Excuse me, excuse me,” I shoved my way through groups of writers and journalists. Finally, I saw her. Mum had cornered three women and was busy patting the silver patch on her arm and giving them her latest spiel.
“… as a Flourish consultant, you’ll spread the word about this amazing new technology and help hundreds of people achieve their health and weight loss dreams. Not only that, but you’ll be in charge of your own destiny as you build your own business and achieve financial freedom. Just look at me – a month ago I was living on the council estate, now I’m about to be handed the keys to my very own silver Mercedes.”
Oh no, what’s this about a Mercedes?
“Mum, you came!” I threw my arms around her, hoping to stop the stream of nonsense pouring from her mouth.
“Mina, dear. You look lovely, although I bet you’d look even lovelier with a complete vitamin regimen. I was just telling your friends here about an exciting business opportunity.” Mum spun around to show off her patch. “Isn’t it amazing? Right now, I’m burning calories while receiving a dose of healthful nutrients through its remarkable transdermal—”
“I’m sure it’s wonderful, Mum, but you don’t need to wear it here. People came tonight to discuss books, not weight-loss, er, patches…” I flashed the women an apologetic look over my shoulder.
“Oh, it does more than just help you lose weight. The Flourish patch also cures bloating, improve energy, and suppresses appetite, so you don’t get those pesky cravings… oh, look, little cupcakes.” Mum grabbed two off a tray on the table. “You really have to try it, Mina. It’sremarkable. I’ve only been wearing mine for two days and I’ve already lost weight!”
“You don’t look any different to me.” I watched Mum pop one cupcake into her mouth.
“Well, of course I don’t! It’s this lighting. It’s terribly unflattering. Maybe I’ll go see Morrie about changing it.” Mum turned to push her way back across the room, popping the second cupcake into her mouth. “It’s great to see you, dear!”
“I really am sorry about her,” I told the woman. “She gets sucked into these get-rich-quick-schemes. She’s really harmless.”
“It’s perfectly all right. We’ve all had friends who’ve fallen victim to those schemes. They really are criminal, the way they sucker people in. I’m surprised my husband hasn’t written about it in one of his books, but I guess it isn’t as sexy asmurder.” The woman in the middle scoffed. She had strawberry blonde hair cut in a short, sensible bob and a designer dress that was a couple of years out of date and at least two sizes too small. She extended a hand to me. “I’m Penny Sledge, Danny’s wife.”
“I didn’t realize Danny was married.” I shook her hand.
“He doesn’t like to advertise it, especially not to pretty young women like yourself.” Penny’s two friends exchanged a look and shuffled quietly away. “I understand you’re the organizer of this event. You’ve done a fine job, really. An admirable effort, but if I could make a few suggestions…”
“Sure!” I beamed.
“I don’t think it will do having all these people crammed into this tiny space. And none of the chairs match! The food is a bitrustic,and cider instead of wine?” She tsked. “That won’t do. This shop is awfully dusty, isn’t it? Much better to rent the ballroom at my friend Cynthia Lachlan’s estate. Or even have it down in London at one of the literary salons—”
