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 don’t understand what you’re asking,” Fisher moaned. “A brewery needs industrial equipment like chemical tanks. Hoses. Pumps. Heating coils. It’s an expensive proposition.”

“See.” Benny said to Nick. “Man knows what he’s talking about. Just the partner we need.”

“I’d have to perform miracles of accounting to hide paying for it all.”

“But you know how,” Benny said leadingly.

“False receipts. Changes to inventory accounting. And the quarterly report. That's embezzling. No, it’s impossible.”

“Two hundred percent return on investment,” Benny reminded him.

Fisher plied the handkerchief against the sweat on his forehead. “Exactly where would this equipment go?”

“The old mill that burned down.” Nick crowded into the conversation. “On the river below the Settlers Rest cemetery. The pumphouse is still standing. Can’t see it from any road.”

“The old mill?” Fisher was agog. “That riverfront property belongs to Lido Premium and the Packham family.”

“Nobody goes there,” Nick growled.

“But they could.”

“Then you’ll see that they don’t,” Benny said.

Fisher’s face was shiny with sweat. “Embezzling funds from Lido Premium to establish an illegal brewery at the old mill. Dear Lord.”

Benny grinned; the hook was in the fish’s mouth. “Nick and I will handle customers and delivery. We need cash for trucks and payroll until the beer sales start rolling in. Won’t take long. Lido is lousy with fellas who want a beer when the whistle blows and even more that don’t want to work in a mill no more.”

“We’d be partners?” Fisher dabbed again and again. “The three of us? Splitting profits three ways?”

“Sure.” Benny stuck out his hand. All he had to do was reel the fish in. “Shall we shake on it?”

The prequel is out now. Grab it here: