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    The Duplicitous Divorce (Minx Tobin Murder Mystery Series Book 3): The Minx Tobin Murder Mysteries, #2
    The Duplicitous Divorce (Minx Tobin Murder Mystery Series Book 3): The Minx Tobin Murder Mysteries, #2
    The Duplicitous Divorce (Minx Tobin Murder Mystery Series Book 3): The Minx Tobin Murder Mysteries, #2
    Ebook149 pages2 hours

    The Duplicitous Divorce (Minx Tobin Murder Mystery Series Book 3): The Minx Tobin Murder Mysteries, #2

    By Susanne Marie Knight

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    About this ebook

    A Minx Tobin Murder Mystery Romance, Reissued, New Cover!

    Minx's involvement with an unhappy newlywed turns deadly... for the bride and for Minx.

    DIVORCE... L.A. STYLE
    Minx Tobin's latest client, Magda Boswell, complains that her new husband wants her dead. But maybe it's the old husband Magda should worry about. Or the first husband's new wife. Then again, Magda's longstanding boyfriend isn't too devoted, either. Minx gets mixed up in convoluted marital problems that just might end up in death... for her.

    Homicide lieutenant Gabe Harris can't believe his good luck. Not only does he win $20,000 but more important, he persuades Minx to take a chance on him. But when Minx gets involved in another murder case, he finds the odds for her survival are not in her favor.

    PRAISE FOR THE DUPLICITOUS DIVORCE:

    5 Stars!--Goodreads.com

    ... The Duplicitous Divorce [is] a cozy mystery/romance by author Susanne Marie Knight. There is a first in this series, but I haven't had the opportunity to read it, yet. Minx Tobin, our heroine and amateur sleuth, is a personal trainer and aerobics instructor moved to CA from the east coast. She's not too interested in getting into another relationship (recent break) until she meets Lieutenant Gabe Harris (police force). And even after three books, they are still dancing around their emotions -- but getting closer. I doubt it will take them five seasons as it did for Laura and Remmington Steele... The next in the series, The Virtual Valentine, comes out this month. I like Minx. I like Gabe. I'm routing for them and wondering what sort of trouble Minx will stumble upon next.--Gloria Reviews

    Minx is my favorite detective! I need my Minx fix!!!--S. M. Reviews

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSusanne Marie Knight
    Release dateFeb 27, 2018
    ISBN9781370277902
    The Duplicitous Divorce (Minx Tobin Murder Mystery Series Book 3): The Minx Tobin Murder Mysteries, #2
    Author

    Susanne Marie Knight

    Award-winning author and seven time EPPIE / EPIC eBook Award Finalist Susanne Marie Knight specializes in Romance Writing with a Twist! She is multi-published with books, short stories, and articles in such diverse genres as Regency, science fiction, mystery, paranormal, suspense, time-travel, fantasy, and contemporary romance. Originally from New York, Susanne lives in the Pacific Northwest, by way of Okinawa, Montana, Alabama, and Florida. Along with her husband and the spirit of her feisty Siamese cat, she enjoys the area's beautiful ponderosa pine trees and wide, open spaces--a perfect environment for writing. For more information about Susanne, visit her website at www.susanneknight.com.

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      Book preview

      The Duplicitous Divorce (Minx Tobin Murder Mystery Series Book 3) - Susanne Marie Knight

      Chapter One

      Walking out of her Amazing Abs class at the Elite Exercise Emporium, Minx Tobin used a towel to wipe sweat from her forehead. Friday had been busy so far. Too busy. The day started early, at seven a.m., when she’d driven to Pasadena for a personal trainer appointment, then onto the Emporium to instruct three classes and two one-on-one sessions.

      At last it was lunchtime. She’d grab a bite to eat here, fill out some paperwork, then head over for her one o’clock appointment with ex-showgirl Magda Boswell. Then, after that, Minx would get ready for the recognition ceremony at police headquarters.

      She smiled to herself as she thought about the upcoming event. Not that she craved official appreciation or commendations on the two cases she’d helped solve. No, that wasn’t the reason for her excitement. Not at all.

      What she was looking forward to was seeing the attractive--and exasperating--Lieutenant Gabe Harris at the ceremony. Fingers crossed that he’d be there. She hadn’t seen or heard from him in two weeks, since the murder of her friend, Bill Gutierrez, had been solved--the case of the ill-gotten insurance, the newspapers had called it.

      Hey Minx! Minx, come over here. Sadie Durand, the Emporium’s vivacious assistant manager called to her from the customer counter. You’re never gonna believe this, but there’s been another murder.

      With the LA Times spread out on the glass countertop, Sadie pointed to one of the articles. Look at this. That madman’s been at it again. The Thursday Serial Killer, they’re calling him. Yesterday, he slit another throat--also a woman’s, like the other two before. Minx, that makes three murders in three weeks--and all on a Thursday.

      Minx scanned the article. Gruesome. She fingered her own throat in an irrational movement to protect it. Homicide has its hands full, that’s for certain.

      Images of Gabe, Sergeant Atwell, and other members of the police force who she’d met since her arrival in Los Angeles back in May flashed in front of her. They all were probably working overtime to capture the Thursday Serial Killer.

      Sadie dropped her elbows down on the newspaper and propped up her mischievous frosty blonde head. Well, girl, here’s a brand new case for you to work on. It’s up to you to help the police.

      Oh, no you don’t. Minx shook her head, sending her ponytail swinging in the breeze. I’ve been mixed up in two murders already. Two in almost four months. That’s more than enough to last a lifetime. Believe me.

      Her tail of hair stopped swinging. Someone had grabbed it. Without looking, she knew who the perpetrator was.

      Porter. She took her time in turning around. Why are you always playing with my hair?

      Dallas Porter, the Elite Exercise Emporium’s resident hunk, flashed a bright grin, then curved his muscular arm around her shoulders. Dear heart, I must have a thin’ for that there tail of yours.

      While Minx burned with indignation, Sadie fanned her face with her hand. Oooh, that sounds X-rated.

      Dallas leaned across the counter to stare Sadie down. C’mon Sadie, get your mind out of the gutter. Ya know the Sphinx and I are just good friends.

      He gave Minx’s shoulder a squeeze. Now this poor gal needs to eat before she drops from starvation, don’t ya, baby chick? Then you’re leaving the Emporium to get ready for your big police shindig, right?

      Almost right. She slid out from under his powerful arm. The day’s not over yet for me, but I do need to eat.

      She waved at Sadie and headed for the Take-A-Break Lounge to buy a turkey salad pita sandwich. Unfortunately, Dallas kept in step with her.

      He waited until she’d gotten her food and sat at a table before he brought up what was on his mind. So, Minx, about this ceremony tonight.

      Immediately her guard went up. He didn’t usually call her by her first name.

      It’s in the afternoon, at four, she corrected. She took a bite of the turkey salad pita.

      Yeah. Okay, well, listen. He brushed a lock of his dark hair back off his forehead. Remember how you owe me a favor, ‘cause I taught a class for you two weeks ago?

      She nodded. She’d needed to examine the crime scene--the bungalow where her friend had been murdered. Dallas had covered for her at the Emporium. Evidently, now he wanted her to pay up.

      You want me to take over a class or two for you?

      He dropped his grey-eyed gaze and toyed with the table’s sea salt shaker. Nope, it’s my friend, ya know, he’s your client, too, Ron. Ron wants to go out with you tonight.

      A clump of turkey salad, complete with grapes and feta cheese got stuck in her throat. She coughed to clear the congestion, then gulped down some water.

      You’ve got to be kidding, Porter. That’s precisely why I can’t go out with Ron Dantes. He’s my client. Business and pleasure don’t mix.

      Sometimes they do. He gazed intently at her. Ya know Ron, he’s a good guy. He’s been wantin’ to take you out for the longest time.

      She drummed her fingernails on the tabletop. No, Porter. It won’t do.

      He extended his hand to quiet hers. I’ll level with ya. Went to Vegas last weekend. With my luck, ya can imagine I lost a hefty sum. Ron covered my bet.

      And he’ll call the debt paid if I go out with him? Minx’s voice rose an octave.

      Dallas nodded, glumly. Lordy, Minx, I know it sounds kinda sordid, but, dear heart, I dropped five thou before I even knew it was gone.

      She removed her hand from under his. Shoot, Dallas, this is impossible. Ron shouldn’t be doing this.

      Ron Dantes really did seem like a nice guy. He was always very earnest during his workout sessions. Very likeable with a hint of hidden passion behind his shy, polite smile. But he obviously wanted more from her than a student/instructor relationship.

      Drat. Suddenly not hungry anymore, she dropped her pita sandwich on its paper plate. You actually lost five thousand dollars?

      Call me stupid. With his tee shirt tightly hugging his pectoral muscles and his bulging biceps, Dallas Porter looked anything but stupid.

      This is far bigger than taking over an exercise class, Dallas. You’ll owe me big time.

      She was a soft touch, wasn’t she? But she’d give Dallas a break, just this once.

      A dimple pulsed on his left cheek. If you’d like, I’ll be your love slave.

      She moved her chair back from the table. That won’t be necessary. And, just so you know, I’ll never do anything like this again, so from now on you’d better be more careful with your money.

      Yep, I’ve seen the error of my ways. The pulsing dimple increased in tempo. Now that we’ve got the preliminaries out of the way, the ceremony’s at four, right? How ‘bout if Ron picks you up at your place at three thirty?

      She primly pressed her lips together. What about if we meet for dinner after the ceremony is over?

      Dallas waved aside her suggestion. Nope, it’ll be good for you to have someone at the presentation to give you support. Ron’ll meet you at police headquarters then. About fifteen ‘til four?

      Minx was too tired to argue. Okay, fine. She stood. Don’t forget to tell him this is a one-shot deal. And no more third party setups.

      Anything you say, my precious Egyptian statue. Dallas also stood, then pecked her cheek with a kiss. Lemme thank you now. Have a great time tonight.

      Dallas had gotten off easy, way too easy. And Ron Dantes was out five thousand dollars. But he’d evidently gotten what he wanted--a date with her.

      Personally, she would’ve rather had the money.

      Minx watched Dallas and his tight butt leave the Take-A-Break lounge, then she dumped her remaining lunch and headed for the office to handle some paperwork. Next stop, her one p.m. client, then home to her studio apartment to primp not only for the recognition ceremony, but also for dinner tonight.

      She sighed. Who could’ve foreseen she’d be going on a date--not with Gabe Harris but with Ron Dantes?

      * * * *

      Every single one of Minx’s clients seemed to have an interesting--to put it mildly--quirk. Some even had two. Magda Boswell’s claim to fame was that not only was she an ex-Vegas showgirl, but she wore extravaganza makeup twenty-four/seven.

      Well, maybe not twenty-four/seven, but she was fully decorated every time Minx saw the woman.

      Today was no different. Magda’s brown eyes were emphasized with no less than five separate colors on her eyelids, her dark lashes were thickened and lengthened by several black fringes, and her vivid red lips widened by pencil, lipstick, and gloss. Magda Boswell looked as beautiful... and as artificial as an over ornamented multi-colored Christmas tree.

      Apart from the cosmetically enhanced face, she was a leggy brunette with a fantastic figure. For this exercise session, she displayed it in appropriate workout apparel--stretch shorts and a loose-fitting tee shirt.

      Come in. Come on in, she greeted Minx at the door, then looked outside to the mansion on her right before closing and locking the door. I know you don’t mind me welcoming you myself. The maid up and left me high and dry, and I haven’t gotten around to hiring another one.

      Magda hobbled through the hallway into the large living room, then dropped down onto the nearest sectional couch. There were three in the room.

      She brushed a stray lock of hair off her neck and up into the elaborate hairdo she sported. It’s the devil without household help. Been trying to steal that pink gal away from the whore next door.

      Minx’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. Oh my gosh! Was Magda talking about...

      She knew who lived in the next mansion located to the right of this one--another client, Charmaine Eggers, with her boyfriend Art Malone, the loan shark based out of Las Vegas. The pink gal was Queenie, the maid with the vivid pink uniform who also acted as Charmaine’s personal guard dog.

      Obviously Magda didn’t care for Charmaine’s penchant for loving whomever she was with.

      Ignoring the woman’s comment, Minx set down her exercise bag and removed her iPod and portable speakers. Invigorating music always helped to energize the workout.

      Now she was ready to get started. She got on her knees and

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