This is an excerpt from my current work-in-progress.
MURDER AT THE GALLIANO CLUB is the next book in the Galliano Club series, coming Summer 2022.
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“You got a nice position here, I take it.” Benny cut his eyes to the office building. “But you’re still driving yesterday’s Ford. Bet you’d like a La Salle or a Packard.”
“It’s not worth going to jail over a car,” Fisher said.
Benny snorted. “Bet you got a wife who likes nice things, too.”
“Yes.” Fisher swallowed hard, making his Adam’s apple jump like a champagne cork. “Cynthia.”
“She like pretty things?”
“Yes.”
“Guaranteed two hundred percent return,” Benny emphasized.
Fisher dabbed at his upper lip with the white hanky from his breast pocket. “I don’t have any money to invest.”
“Nobody’s expecting you to invest your own money.” Benny pointed a thumb towards the office building. “Not when this place is lousy with it.”
Unaware of his own move, Fisher’s free hand pressed on his jacket pocket to keep it closed.
Guilty. The best kind of patsy.
“We need cash and equipment,” Benny went on. “A couple hundred more or less, plus the kind of equipment you order for the mill. Nick can tell you what to get. You place the order and square it with the books. Me and Nick can handle the rest. See? Nothing too complicated.”
“I’d be stealing from my employer.”
“Borrowing,” Benny countered.
“Stealing,” Fisher repeated, trying to sound indignant. “You want me to steal. Fake receipts and cook the books.”
“You’re doing it now,” Benny said coolly. “What’s the difference?”
Fisher’s face twisted in alarm. “Who told you that?”
Quick as a wink, Nick smacked away Fisher’s hand, allowing Benny to find out what was hidden inside the pocket. He pulled out a couple of folded bills and nearly laughed. “Ten dollars!”
The prequel is out now. Grab it here: