Wow! Kara Lennoxs BLOND JUSTICE series has it allsmart, determined heroines, ya-gotta-love-em macho heroes, taut suspense and romance that will steam your glasses while it melts your heart. Each book is a winner; together theyre pure magic.
Bestselling author Merline Lovelace
Dear Reader,
I often write about heroines who are slightly offbeat, but Brenna Thompson, my debutante-in-denial, takes the cake. Perhaps thats because shes a lot like mepetite, unconventional, creative. I even gave her my hair (which is currently in blond spikes), my former downtown loft and my love for silver charms. (Unlike Brenna, however, Im not an heiress, darn it.)
Who better to match up with Brenna than uptight FBI special agent Heath Packer, who would never dream of breaking the rules. Or would he? Ill just tell you that Heath isnt all he first appears to be.
I hope you have fun with Brenna and Heath as they continue the search for con man Marvin Carter, which began in Hometown Honey (HAR #1068). This story will take you on a wild romp from Cottonwood, Texas, to New Orleans, Dallas and finally New York. I dont want to give too much away, but vengeance is sweet, and it involves an ice sculpture and an empty elevator shaft.
All my best,
Downtown Debutante
Kara Lennox
www.millsandboon.co.uk
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Texas native Kara Lennox has been an art director, typesetter, textbook editor and reporter. Shes worked in a boutique, a health club and an ad agency. Shes been an antiques dealer and even a blackjack dealer. But no work has made her happier than writing romance novels.
When not writing, Kara indulges in an ever-changing array of weird hobbies. (Her latest passions are treasure hunting and creating mosaics.) She loves to hear from readers. You can visit her Web page and drop her a note at www.karalennox.com.
Books by Kara Lennox
HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE
934VIXEN IN DISGUISE*
942PLAIN JANES PLAN*
951SASSY CINDERELLA*
974FORTUNES TWINS
990THE MILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR
1052THE FORGOTTEN COWBOY
1068HOMETOWN HONEY
My gratitude to FBI Special Agent
Jennifer Coffindaffer for her help with researching
FBI procedures. Any mistakes are mine.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Prologue
Brenna Thompson drew herself deeper into the down comforter, trying to reclaim the blessed relief of sleep. But instead of drifting back down, she awoke with a jolt and smacked into hard reality. She was stranded in Cottonwood, Texas, without a dime to her name, her entire future hanging by a thread.
And someone was banging on her door at the Kountry Kozy Bed & Breakfast.
Wearing only a teddy, she slid out of bed and stumbled to the door. I told you to take the key, she said grumpily, opening the door, expecting to see Cindy, her new roommate. What time is it, any She stopped as her bleary eyes struggled to focus. Standing in the hallway was a broad-shouldered man in a dark suit, a blindingly white shirt and a shimmering blue silk tie. He was at least a foot taller than Brennas own five foot three, and she had to strain her neck to meet his cool, blue-eyed gaze. Another man stood behind the first, but he was in shadowlike he was trying to be in the background.
In a purely instinctual gesture, she slammed the door in his face. My God, she was almost naked. A stranger in a suit had seen her almost naked. Her whole body flushed, then broke out in goose bumps.
The knock came again, softer this time, but firm.
Uh, just a minute! She didnt have a robe. She wasnt a robe-wearing sort of person. But she spied a robe belonging to Sonya, her other roommate, lying at the foot of her bed. The white silk garment trailed the floor, the sleeves hanging almost to Brennas fingertipsSonya was tallbut at least it sort of covered her.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the door again. Yes?
Still there. Still just as tall, just as imposing, just ashandsome. Not her type, she thought quickly. But there was a certain commanding presence about this stranger that made her stomach swoop and her palms itch.
Brenna Thompson?
Deep voice. It made all her hair follicles stand at attention.
Yes, thats me. He didnt smile, and a frisson of alarm wiggled through her body. Is something wrong? Oh, my God, did something happen to someone in my family?
He hesitated fractionally. No. Im Special Agent Heath Packer with the FBI. This is Special Agent Pete LaJolla.
The other man stepped closer and nodded a greeting. They both looked as if they expected to enter.
Brenna glanced over her shoulder. The room was a complete wreck. Every available surface was covered with clothes and girlie stuff, not to mention baby things belonging to Cindys little boy. Even fastidious Sonyas bed was unmade. Sonya was used to servants doing that sort of thing for her.
Special Agent No. 1 didnt wait for her consent. He eased past her into the room, his observant gaze taking everything in.
If youd given me some warning, I could have tidied up, she groused, pulling the robe more tightly around her. She hadnt realized how thin the fabric was.
Mustering her manners, Brenna cleared off a cosmetics case and a pair of shoes from the rooms only chair. Here, sit down. Youre making me nervous. AndAgent LaJolla, was it? She brushed some clothes off Sonyas twin bed. La Jolla nodded and sat gingerly on the bed while Brenna retreated to her own bed. She sat cross-legged on it, drawing the covers over her legs both for warmth and modesty.
I assume you know why were here, Packer said, easing his tall frame into the wingback chair. He looked even more masculine, surrounded by chintz and lace and cabbage roses.
Something to do with Marvin Carter, I would guess. Does this mean someone is finally taking our case seriously? That other FBI guy in LouisianaDel Roy or whatever his name washe could hardly be bothered. Indignation welled up in Brennas chest. Big deal, three dumb blondes lost their life savings. Like, who cares? But I guess that suitcase full of cash caught your attention. Brenna, Cindy and Sonya, all of them victims of the same con man, had tracked him to Louisiana and flushed him out, with no help from the FBI. As a result, they recovered Cindys money$300,000 in cashthough Marvin himself got away.
While LaJolla studied his fingernails in a bored manner, Packer studied Brenna, and she could almost see the gears turning behind his eyes, carefully calculating his answer. Wed like to hear the facts of the case from you firsthand. And, if you dont mind He pulled a microcassette recorder from his jacket pocket and set it on the tiny table next to the chair. He also brought out a notebook and pen.
No, I dont mind. After he made a few preliminary comments for the tapedate, time, location and who was presentshe told him her story, from beginning to end. She started with how the famous art agent Seneca Dealy had found her at a neighborhood art fair and had promised to pluck her from obscurity and make her a jeweler to the stars. He said everything I wanted to hear, Brenna said. Starving artists thrive on praise and high hopes, you know.
And did you also have a sexual relationship with this Seneca?
Im sure you know I did, she said testily, her face burning. She wasnt some virginal prude, easily embarrassed, but neither was she eager to dwell on her stupidity where Marvin was concerned. I dont see how the details of that could be any use to you.
His behavior is very important, Packer countered. I need to know the exact details of how this guy operates.
Fine. She took a deep breath and gave the agent what hed asked forexact details. Hes very good in bed. He always wears a condom. He prefers Trojans. Is that what you want to know?
LaJolla was trying not to laugh, but Packer dutifully took down every word. Interesting to know about the condoms. He takes risks in some areas, not in others. Go on.
She sighed, her anger evaporating. He wasnt all bad, she admitted. As an artist, sometimes I lack confidence in my abilities. He boosted my self-esteem. Because of him, I got the courage to submit my designs to a committee that runs the IJC show. You know what that is?
Im not familiar with IJC.
International Jewelry Consortium. They run the most exclusive jewelry and gem show in the country. Only a select few dealers and designers are invited to exhibit. And they chose me. She still felt pride glowing inside her every time she thought about that phone call where theyd told her she was in the show. It was the career break shed been working toward for five years.
Congratulations, Packer said politely, though she knew he had no idea what a big deal it was.
I worked like crazy to get some very special pieces ready for the show, she continued. I had some fabulous stones left to me by my grandmother. Anyway, I woke up one morning and everything was gone. Everything. My checking account was empty and so was my trust fund.
How did he get to a trust fund? LaJolla said, speaking up for the first time. Dont those have pretty strict security?
Well, it wasnt a real trust fund. I just called it that. It was an account my father put money into every month for my support, because he thought I couldnt take care of myself. But I never touched it. Shed planned to donate it to charity someday. See, Dad? I didnt need your old money after all.
But you did accept the money, said Packer.
Why do you care about that, anyway? Its gone, thats what matters.
Just trying to get a complete picture, he said mildly.
She told him the rest of the storyhow Sonya, a debutante from Houston, had tracked her down after Marvin wiped her out, and how the two of them had followed a trail of clues to Cottonwood, where they found Cindy. The three spurned and destitute womenThe Blondes, or The Blond Posse, as some people in Cottonwood affectionately called themhad pledged to bring Marvin to justice. The last time theyd seen him, hed been running naked down the main street of a small Louisiana townhumiliated, but free.
When the story wound down, Packer shut off the recorder and packed up as if ready to leave. So what are you going to do? Brenna asked.
We have to check out a few things, Agent Packer said noncommittally. Well be back in touch. A look passed between the two agents.
Brenna was pretty sure she knew what it meant. Well be back in touchwhen hell freezes over. So Ill never hear from you again. No one was murdered, no one was kidnapped. Why would the FBI waste its time?
Ms. Thompson, I assure you, Packer said. You havent seen the last of me.
As he walked out of the room without a backward glance, Brenna pondered his parting shot. Had it been a promiseor a threat?
HEATH PACKER CLIMBED behind the wheel of his dark blue Chrysler LeBaron while Pete LaJolla, a bit out of breath from the short walk, slid into the passenger seat.
You gonna tell me what that was about? I thought we were going to arrest her.
Heath started the engine. He made one circuit around Cottonwoods town square, marveling at the quaintness of it all as he processed what hed just learned about Brenna Thompson. She doesnt know shes a suspect.
Yeah, so?
LaJolla was an okay guy, but not the brightest bulb in the marquee. She thinks she got away with her crime. She thinks her parents would be too embarrassed to turn her in.
Soif she thinks shes gotten away with her crimeshell get careless?
Packer nodded. And shell lead us to the Picasso.
You think this Marvin person has the painting? Who the hell is Marvin Carter, anyway? And whats all this about a suitcase full of money?
Guess we better find out.
Brenna Thompson had been a surprise in more ways than one. It wasnt just her attire, or lack of it, that had thrown Heath off balance. He smiled now as he thought about how shed looked when shed opened the door, fuzzy from sleep, her platinum-frosted hair sticking out at odd angles from her head, mascara rings under her eyes. And that body. Small as she was, she had enough curves to inspire a roller-coaster designer. And in that tiny slip of silk shed been wearing, hed gotten an eyeful.