Slay in Character Read online

  Also by Lynn Cahoon

  The Cat Latimer Mysteries

  A Story to Kill

  Fatality by Firelight

  Of Murder and Men

  The Farm-to-Fork Mysteries

  Who Moved My Goat Cheese?

  Killer Green Tomatoes

  The Tourist Trap Mysteries

  Guidebook to Murder

  Mission to Murder

  If the Shoe Kills

  Dressed to Kill

  Killer Run

  Murder on Wheels

  Tea Cups and Carnage

  Hospitality and Homicide

  Killer Party

  Rockets’ Dead Glare

  A Deadly Brew

  Santa Puppy

  SLAY IN CHARACTER

  LYNN CAHOON

  KENSINGTON BOOKS

  www.kensingtonbooks.com

  All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.

  Table of Contents

  Also by

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  Teaser chapter

  KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  119 West 40th Street

  New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2018 by Lynn Cahoon

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.

  If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the Publisher and neither the Author nor the Publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

  Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

  ISBN: 978-1-4967-1681-1

  eISBN-13: 978-1-4967-1682-8

  eISBN-10: 1-4967-1682-5

  To my friend, Laura Bradford, who is always

  there to listen, to plot, or to help rein in the

  bright and shiny ideas.

  Acknowledgments

  The more books I write, the longer I’m an author, the more I realize what I don’t know. There’s always something new to learn in the book-writing world. But there is one thing that keeps me going: readers who tell me they love my characters as much as I do. I’ve been putting Cat, Seth, and Shauna through the wringer now for four stories. And I love the process more and more each time. My mother-in-law told me what needed to happen in this book after reading Of Murder and Men. And although I didn’t take all her suggestions, one did stick. I think you’ll agree, it was for the best.

  CHAPTER 1

  How did the saying go? History repeats itself, or to forget our past is to relive it in our future? She was probably mixing a few different sayings. Cat Latimer played with the quote in her head as she helped Seth unload the five writers from the SUV. The day trip to Outlaw, a local ghost town, was a new retreat adventure add-on, and all five writers had signed up for the extra day for the June retreat. Even the Covington College student attendee, Jessi Ball, had paid the extra fee to visit Outlaw with the group.

  The dust from the parking lot settled around them, and Cat wiped it from her face. The air here was thinner, as they were nestled high in the mountains. Outlaw had originally been an old mining town. In the high valley, the sun seemed even closer and brighter. She adjusted her sunglasses and took in the entrance. The pine smell from the trees filled her senses and reminded her of a camping trip she and Seth had taken the summer after senior year. The last campout before he’d joined the army and left for his new future. She could taste the s’mores they’d made before they’d lain out on the air mattress he’d set up next to the fire pit. She pulled herself from the memory and looked over at him as he helped the last guest out of the vehicle.

  Feeling the heat from the memory and the Colorado summer day, Cat handed each writer a small backpack she’d had made up with Warm Springs Writers’ Retreat on the front along with a black-and-white picture of a Victorian-era house. “Inside you’ll find a water bottle, a disposable camera, a notepad for inspiration, two pens, and a few bakery items from Shauna, our resident chef, to keep your brain cells firing.”

  “When do we meet for lunch?” Connie McDonald slipped on her sunglasses as she glanced around the parking lot.

  “We’ll be eating at the saloon, so meet us there at high noon.” Cat smiled. The group, except for Jessi, were all historical romance authors and were all from the same writers’ group in Connecticut. They’d booked the retreat as soon as Cat had put up a note about the added visit to the Colorado ghost town. After that, Cat had had several inquiries from romance groups wanting to book the entire house. She’d have to work out the arrangements with Shauna, but if they could pull it off, the retreat could probably host two or three of these special events a year at full occupancy.

  “Does anyone want my camera? I’ll be using my phone, and besides, I can get pictures anytime.” Jessi held up the camera and Kelly Adams snatched it from her hand. Kelly was a striking brunette whose emerald green eyes seemed to bore right though you when she talked.

  Kelly tucked the camera into her bag, then looked around at the group, who were all staring at her. “Oh, yeah, please and thank you.”

  “Kelly doesn’t get out much,” Cora Sanders fake-whispered to Cat. The woman was in her fifties, but with her blond hair loose around her shoulders, she looked younger. “She’s been under continuous deadlines for the last two years since her book sales went crazy through the roof.”

  “My sales aren’t that crazy,” Kelly muttered, a flush on her cheeks, “but my contracts are keeping me busy. I’ll admit that.”

  “She’s a contract collector,” Lisa Freeman teased. “The rest of us are lucky to have one contract at a time, and our friend Kelly here has three.”

  Kelly’s face turned beet red. “Four, counting the novella contract I just signed last week.”

  The group exploded into laughter.

  “Frankly, I’m not sure why we keep her around.” Cora took Kelly’s arm in hers. “Let’s go step into the Old West and get some ideas for our next best sellers.”

  Seth Howard leaned against the vehicle and watched the women leave. They’d included Jessi in the group quickly. “Your retreats are never boring. I guess I always thought writers would be the type to stay in the library reading until they turned into a book or something.”

  “You’re stereotyping. Writers are fun people. We want to experience life so we can write about it in our books later.” Cat put her backpack on. “I put your water and cookies in with mine so I wouldn’t lose you here.”

  “Where do you think I’m going to go? Ride out on the range to drive in the cattle? Or maybe wander about in the mountains to stake a mining claim?” He shut the doors and remote locked the car.

  “Either one sounds exactly like where I migh
t have found you one hundred years ago. Your ancestors helped build Covington, didn’t they?” Cat took his hand as they walked toward Main Street and the action. She enjoyed being home in Colorado. More, she enjoyed reviving her relationship with Seth Howard, her high school sweetheart. Her mom even asked about Seth during their weekly calls.

  “Howards were some of Covington’s founding fathers. Just wait until we have your group do my hiking day. You’ll learn all about my mad mountain man skills.” Seth pointed to the horses tied up at the end of town near the blacksmith’s shop. “Looks like they’re getting ready for the trail ride. Next time we schedule this, we’ll have to do the weekend so we can actually get out into the mountains.”

  Cat thought about the women who’d signed up for the Outlaw retreat. Of the five, only Jessi seemed like the type who’d brave getting on a horse and riding through the wilderness. Cat could just see her insurance agent’s eyes widening as she explained the additional activity. “Maybe. I’ll have to talk to Henry about a bigger umbrella policy.”

  Seth chuckled. “I always forget about the business side of things. Maybe we should just stay with visiting Outlaw. I’m planning on playing a few hands of blackjack while we’re here, though. I hear they let visitors win.”

  “With play money.” Cat smiled at the childlike grin that covered Seth’s face. Between that and a slight scruff of beard, the guy looked like he could step into one of many roles actors played in the tourist town. All he needed was a cowboy hat and a button-down shirt to replace the I Heart Rock T-shirt he currently sported. And some cowboy boots to replace his Nikes. “I wish this had been open while we were going to high school. I would have jumped at the chance to spend my summer working here.”

  “They hire a lot of the drama kids from Covington. I guess their folks would rather they stay here and work than go back east to the bigger cities.” Seth pulled her onto the wooden sidewalks attached to the buildings and out of the dirt of the main street. “Speaking of Covington, have you seen your friend Dante lately?”

  Cat winced. She knew Seth didn’t like the guy. She had to admit, Dante was a little scary, mostly due to his belonging to a large Mob family. Seth was watching her. “No, I haven’t seen or talked to Dante lately. Why? Have you seen him in town?”

  “I did some work for his butler over at that huge house down the street from yours last month. Did you know he has signed copies of your books in his library? I think they are the only paperbacks he has in the entire collection.” They paused at the Olde Tyme Photo Shop, where the writers had stopped to get pictures of themselves in Western garb. “Thought it was a little strange, that’s all.”

  “I have a fan.” Cat leaned into him. “Stop being so overprotective. I know Dante isn’t the type of man you want me to be friends with.”

  “Your uncle agrees with me.” Seth didn’t look at her as he spoke.

  “I know the guy’s bad news. I’m not going to do anything to put myself in any danger.” She felt like she was being lectured like a child.

  Seth put an arm around her and pulled her close. “Now, that, my love, is an utter falsehood. Trouble finds you like a dog with a buried bone.”

  Cat had to grudgingly agree. Sometimes she did seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But it wasn’t her fault. “I don’t do it on purpose.”

  Seth was about to speak when Cora came out in a saloon girl outfit and pulled them both into the shop.

  “You two have to be in the picture as well.” She pointed to the racks of clothes. “Go get changed, we’ll wait.”

  Cat sent Seth a what-can-you-do smile and headed off to the side of the room where the women’s clothes were located. She was relieved the conversation had been interrupted. She’d wanted it ended before she had to admit that she’d actually been in Dante’s study signing the books for him. Seth wouldn’t understand, even if it didn’t have a thing to do with their relationship.

  She chose a dress in a soft blue and walked toward the changing room.

  “Oh, no, that won’t do at all.” Jessi traded the dress Cat had chosen for a sexy saloon girl dress. “We’re all being bad girls. You have to join us. And Seth can be our bouncer.”

  “I think they were called protectors back then, dear.” Kelly adjusted a headband with a long pink feather.

  “Whatever, it will be a cool picture.” Jessi hung the more conservative dress out of Cat’s reach. “And you are going to look hot. That’s one reason I love working here. I look smoking in these costumes.”

  “You always think you look hot.” Another girl giggled next to Jessi.

  “Because I do.” Jessi grinned and hugged the girl. “Cat, this is my roommate, Danielle. She and I have been friends since freshman year, and now we’re both working this summer here at Outlaw.”

  “Hey.” Danielle held up a hand in greeting. “My shift starts in a little bit, I probably better be going.”

  “It was nice to meet you.” Cat glanced at the dress Jessi had shoved into her hands.

  “You too.” Danielle turned to Jessi. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle your shifts this week. I could use the extra money. Some of us are putting ourselves through graduate school.”

  “I can’t help it if my mom is insisting on a second degree for me. If she wants me to get it, she’s footing the bill.” She hugged Danielle. “I left my keys to the BMW on top of my desk. Use it tonight. I don’t want you trying to catch a ride from any of these losers.”

  “You didn’t call them losers when you were dating them.” Danielle held up a hand. “No time to discuss, I’m going to be late.”

  “She seems nice.” Cat tried to reach for the more conservative outfit while distracting Jessi.

  “She’s too nice. I guess she’s naïve. She doesn’t realize that there are bad people out there. I learned that lesson early, but Danielle? She was raised in Idaho. Nothing bad ever happens in Idaho.” Jessi stared sadly in the direction her friend had left. Then she caught Cat’s movement out of the corner of her eye. “No way. You aren’t looking like a nun with that hot man next to you.”

  “You work at the saloon?” Cat hadn’t known Jessi was actually one of the summer employees. She stopped trying to get the outfit she’d picked out and went inside the dressing room and slipped out of her clothes and into the dress Jessi had given her. Or what appeared to be a dress. The bodice was a corset and the dress was hiked up and sewn to show off the wearer’s legs. “I didn’t know that. It’s nice of you to come with us.”

  “Oh, I love being here, especially when I’m not working. It’s like a playland. I get to play dress-up every day and they pay me.” Jessi swished her skirts. “Besides, I really wanted to meet the other attendees. I love talking to real writers. Come on out and I’ll fix your corset. It’s a pain to do by yourself.”

  Cat adjusted herself, then folded her clothes into a neat pile by the bench. Glancing at her image in the mirror, she thought she looked like Hollywood’s idea of a saloon girl. The neckline dipped low and the shoulders of the dress hung to the side, so there was no way she could wear a bra with the getup. She took one last look in the mirror and exited the dressing area.

  “Turn around and I’ll get you laced in.” Jessi leaned close as she did up the back of the dress. “You look totally mag. Your man is going to want a copy of this for his private collection.”

  Cat felt her cheeks heat. What was it with romance writers that they always wanted to chime in on her relationship with Seth? He glanced over and gave her a wink. The guy didn’t look half bad himself.

  Cora called out to the group. “Okay, everyone, come and get set. It’s time for us to go back in time. Think of the last heroine you wrote and pretend you’re her.”

  Lisa moved toward the stage and snorted. “My last character was a schoolteacher. If she’d have been caught in a dress like this, she would have been run out of town.”

  The woman laughed as the photographer adjusted them into a pose. After taking several shots, he checked his
camera and nodded. “I think you all will be happy with this. Anyone want some individual or couple shots?”

  “Yeah, get one of me and the ball and chain.” Seth grabbed Cat by the waist and spun her around. “We’ve got some dancing to do later.”

  By the time they left the photo shop, several of the women had gotten individual shots taken. As they returned to the street in their normal clothing, Seth leaned close. “You know he’s got to be making a mint off those.”

  Jessi overheard his comment. “Oh, he’s just an employee like the rest of us. The entire town is owned by a corporation. We all work for one man, a guy out of Denver. Of course, we never see him, but the kids call him Mr. McDuck, like that rich guy in the old cartoons?”

  Cat glanced around the street. She could see how this town could be the brainchild of one person. It all fit seamlessly. The next shop was a general store where you could buy period reproduction clothes and, to her surprise, snacks.

  “Chocolate? Or salty?” Seth looked at her. “I have to buy my favorite girl a treat.”

  “You are taking this courting thing way too seriously.” Cat pointed to what looked like fudge in the glass case. “I’ll take a hunk of that. It looks yummy.”

  Kelly stopped near her. “I have to say, I’m enjoying today. I told the others I’d come to the retreat but all I was going to do was work, not play around. I’ve got a deadline at the end of the month and two more by end of year. I didn’t have time for the travel and to take a day for this.”

  “Sometimes taking a real break is just what you need to jump-start your creativity.” Cat looked at the woman. “Did you really just sign a fourth contract, or were you teasing back there?”

  “I have four contracts and, now, three different publishers. I don’t know if I’m coming or going, but I love writing these series. And then, wham, a bright and shiny idea hits, and I’m talking to my editor, and before you know it, I have an offer. On a book that was just an idea. Who would turn that down?” Kelly stretched out her arms. “So if you don’t see me after today, just know I’m upstairs in my room writing.”