No Good Deed

by Cathi Stoler

About the Author: Cathi Stoler is an Amazon Best-Selling author and Derringer winner. The four novels in her Murder On the Rocks Series published by Level Best Books, Bar None, Last Call, Straight Up, and With A Twist feature The Corner Lounge Bar Owner, Jude Dillane. She is also the author of the Nick Donahue Adventures featuring professional Blackjack player, Nick Donahue, and the Laurel and Helen New York Mystery Series.

Excerpt

Just when you least expect it, trouble comes knocking. I was setting out the cups for tea when it arrived at my door in the form of Sala Ambrose Kinney who burst into tears and threw herself into my arms.

“Oh Helen, I can’t believe she’s gone.” She uttered the words through wrenching sobs. “Someone killed her. You have to help me find whoever it was. We can’t let them get away with this.”

I wrapped my arms around Sala and led her to the garden in the back of my townhouse. It was quiet and peaceful and I hoped the serenity would help calm her. I guided her to a seat at the wrought iron table and poured her some tea.

The death Sala was speaking about was her mother’s, Chloe Ambrose Odeon, one of my oldest friends. She’d been found dead in her living room after what had appeared to be a robbery.

Sala took a tentative sip of her tea and a deep breath. “I’m sorry I was so dramatic when I arrived,” she said, “but I’m just trying to understand something so senseless. Mom trusted you so much.” She paused. “You will help me, won’t you?”

“Of course, I will.” How could I refuse? That I hadn’t known Chloe had died was unthinkable. How had I missed something so important?

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