Copper Penny Lane

By Leise Chadwick

Copper Penny Cooper knows all too well how deadly it is being FBI Agent Jeremy Caccione's fiance. Her challenge is to outsmart the devious former lovers while dodging bullets, wild accusations and a pit bull of a detective hell bent on framing her for murder.

Copper is a recent graduate of Villanova University with a degree in Criminal Justice. She lands her first job at the FBI offices in Philadelphia, as assistant to FBI Special Agents Jeremy Caccione and Peter Barrow. It's love at first sight as Copper navigates her way around the FBI and her two very hot and sexy bosses. A whirlwind romance culminates in a marriage proposal.

Jeremy's partner at the FBI and friend since college, Peter Barrow, expertly defuses volatile situations with comedic relief. Of course Peter has other attributes worth noting including musical nostalgia, but particularly his insatiable appetite for food and sexual innuendo. Between Jeremy and Peter, you can count on the testosterone level being off the charts at any given moment.
Copper can barely contain her rage when attempted murder charges against Cameron Swayze are dropped, and she is reinstated at the FBI. Jeremy travels to Boston to testify in a Federal trial and his most recent former lover, Gretchen, appears at his hotel with startling news. That and subsequent events send Copper's world spiraling downhill.

Copper's country club, social ladder climbing Mother could give Joan Crawford a run for the money in the role of Mommie Dearest. Her biting commentary of Copper's circumstances serves only to widen their divide. Jeremy's brother, Antony, arrives from England to attend their engagement party and becomes the bain of Copper's existence or in other words, the cactus in her plum pudding. With each encounter, they engage in a verbal slugfest!

An Anonymous emailer sends threatening nursery rhymes to Copper and warns her of Jeremy's alleged 'dark side'. It appears ‘Anonymous’ may also be following Copper since the rhymes are tailored to places where Copper has recently been.

Peter surprises Jeremy and Copper with an unusual and hilarious gift at their engagement party. Copper steps away from the party to accept a phone call from a man she has never met, Michael Callaghan, who may have his own earth shattering secret to share with her. Their conversation is interrupted when an unexpected guest delivers a very personal gift for Jeremy, sending the festivities in an entirely different direction.

When overwhelmed by the drama in her life, if Copper hasn't fainted you can find her communing with her favorite comfort foods, such as 4.5 servings of an Entennman's Cream Cheese Coffee Cake, or some other similar delicacy. Unfortunately for Copper, comfort food does not stem the tides or stop bullets from flying.

An explosive ending, with debris once again raining down on Copper. Can she survive the firestorm?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leise Chadwick
• Release date: Feb 6, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301631599

Leise Chadwick

avid reader of mystery novels, human interest, political commentary, national and international news... writer who has published 4 books and one short story...

Book preview

Copper Penny Lane

Copper Penny Cooper

Mystery and Romance Series

Leise Chadwick

Copyright 2013 Leise Chadwick

Smashworks Edition

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This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ISBN: 9781301631599

Indie Book Reviewer

Copper Penny Lane

"for the mystery

and romance reader

who loves a stunning protagonist,

hot and sexy love interests,

clever twists at every turn,

musical notes,

Beatles nostalgia,

humor,

a real page turner,

and, murder!"

Indie Book Reviewers

First in the Copper Penny Cooper

Mystery and Romance Series

One Copper Penny

Author has a natural voice

"danger, suspense,

LoL moments"

toe curling sexy sex

steamy

light and humorous

delightful read

Penny Lane

Lennon – McCartney

Penny Lane there is a barber showing photographs

Of every head he's had the pleasure to have known

And all the people that come and go

Stop and say hello

On the corner is a banker with a motorcar

The little children laugh at him behind his back

And the banker never wears a mac

In the pouring rain...

Very strange

Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes

There beneath the blue suburban skies

I sit, and meanwhile back

In Penny Lane there is a fireman with an hourglass

And in his pocket is a portrait of the Queen.

He likes to keep his fire engine clean

It's a clean machine

Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes

Four of fish and finger pies

In summer, meanwhile back

Behind the shelter in the middle of a roundabout

A pretty nurse is selling poppies from a tray

And though she feels as if she's in a play

She is anyway

Penny Lane the barber shaves another customer

We see the banker sitting waiting for a trim

Then the fireman rushes in

From the pouring rain...

Very strange

Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes

There beneath the blue suburban skies

I sit, and meanwhile back

Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes

There beneath the blue suburban skies...

Penny Lane.

The Birds & the Bees

Herb Newman

Jewel Akens - 1965

Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees

And the flowers and the trees

And the moon up above

And a thing called Love

Let me tell you 'bout the stars in the sky

And a girl and a guy

And the way they could kiss

On a night like this

When I look into your big brown eyes

It's so very plain to see

That it's time you learned about the facts of life

Starting from A to Z

Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees

And the flowers and the trees

And the moon up above

And a thing called Love (Yeah!)

When I look into your big brown eyes

It's so very plain to see

That it's time you learned about the facts of life

Starting from A to Z

Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees

And the flowers and the trees

And the moon up above

And a thing called Love

Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees

And the flowers and the trees

And the birds and the bees

And the flowers and the trees

‘bout the birds

and the bees

Chapter 1

"So, what are you saying, Lieutenant Morrisey?"

The gun wasn’t registered to Miss Swayze.

I wouldn’t expect her to attempt murder with a weapon registered in her own name.

"Yes, but she claims she never saw the gun before you pointed it at her."

"Before I pointed it at her?"

Yes, in her statement to police, she claims she had to wrestle the gun from you, which is how you were shot.

And I suppose you believe this story?

Miss Cooper, with all due respect, we have found nothing, absolutely nothing, to link her to being the person who burglarized your home or attempted to kill you a few weeks ago.

And what about my gold necklace, missing from my home, that was found in her desk drawer?

Miss Swayze claims she found it on the floor in a stall in the ladies room. She thought it may belong to you but, since you had been out of the office, she didn’t have the opportunity to ask. She said she stopped by your cubicle several times to see if you were in.

Please Lieutenant you can’t possibly believe that story. It’s absurd.

It may appear absurd to you but there is nothing that leads us to believe otherwise. Why would she lie?

"Why would she lie? Why would I lie? Miss Swayze and I were classmates throughout private school. Working in the mailroom, she had to recognize my name and know I was working for Jeremy and Peter. Why didn’t she stop by to say ‘Hi’? If I had known she was working at the agency, I would have made it a point to say hello."

Well, we did ask Miss Swayze that very question. Miss Swayze indicated that she was somewhat embarrassed, since she has worked at the agency for over a year, but had not been promoted out of the mailroom. She said you both attended a prestigious private school and gone off to earn your degrees at local universities. Her lifelong dream was to work for the FBI and although she had earned a degree in criminal justice, the only opportunity at the time she was hired, was working in the mailroom.

And she wasn’t at all jealous when she learned that I had been hired as Jeremy and Peter’s assistant?

Miss Swayze expressed that she had spoken to Peter about the job and had decided that she wasn’t interested in working with him. Evidently, he had made a pass at her and she was quite uncomfortable in his presence.

That’s not quite the way Peter describes their encounter. Have you spoken to him?

Yes, of course, but we didn’t expect Peter to corroborate her account of their encounter.

You concluded that Miss Swayze was telling the truth and FBI Special Agent Peter Barrow was not? I practically yelled at him.

No Miss Cooper, that isn’t what I said. Let me provide an example. At the scene of an accident, there may be several witnesses, including those involved. When the witnesses give their statements, they are never exactly the same and often you wonder if some witnesses were even there, their accounts are so diametrically opposite.

I’m losing my patience Lieutenant, so what is the bottom line?

All charges have been dropped that had been filed against Miss Swayze.

"What? This is a joke, right?" I hissed through clenched teeth.

I’m afraid not, Miss Cooper.

She attacks me, shoves me through the door of my home, pulls a gun on me with the intent to kill me, shoots the phone out of my hand and all charges are being dropped?

Miss Swayze claims she had been at the office, had forgotten something at the place she was subletting, and decided to spend her lunch hour making the trip. She said when she exited her car you were putting something in your mailbox, recognized her and began walking in her direction. She said you hugged each other and you invited her inside.

I invited her inside then pulled a gun on her?

She claimed you harbored ill will toward her since high school because of some silly rivalry, you began arguing with her then, pulled out a gun.

That is insane! And you believe her?

Calm down, Miss Cooper, he said sternly.

"Calm down? What the hell kind of police investigation is this? Oh my God. How could I be so stupid? Her father is Senator Swayze. He has intervened and that’s why all charges have been dropped." I could barely breathe, the room began to go dark and I began to shake. I lowered my head, putting my hands on my face in attempt to gain control of my emotions, breathing slowly in through my nose, exhaling from my mouth, slowly in… and slowly out.

He closed his file folder with a slap, startling me back to attention and with his brows furrowed, anger searing me with his eyes and an authoritative condescending tone, This concludes our meeting, Miss Cooper. If you have any further questions, please feel free to give me a call. He stood and left the interview room.

I grabbed my purse and keys then ran from the room, turning heads as I darted down the hallway toward the exit. I continued running as best I could wearing 3 heels until I reached my car, winded and shaking uncontrollably, so much so that it took several seconds before being able to get the key in the lock. I sped out of the lot, tires screeching despite the presence of several police officers. Stop me, I dare you, I thought, and once out of the lot screamed Fuck you!"

This isn’t happening. That bitch got off because her father is a Senator. I speed dialed Jeremy and it went to voice mail. I tried Peter and it also went to voice mail. Where the hell are they? They knew about my appointment and probably even knew that charges had been dropped. I couldn’t return to the office in this frame of mind so drove the few blocks from the station, home.

Bullet and Rebound came running to me when I came through the door. I disarmed the alarm and sat down with them as they rubbed against me. I put both of them in my lap and pet them simultaneously receiving little love bites as I tickled their tummies. Something tells me I can always depend on you guys to make me feel better, I said to them. Bullet grabbed Rebound’s tail with his two little paws and bit it, causing him to leap in the air and take off running, Bullet at his heels. I had to laugh.

I sat there for a few minutes, tears welling in my eyes. I am not going to cry, wiping the tears from my eyes. There is nothing within my power to do about this situation. If charges have been dropped, does that mean she will continue working at the FBI? I bet Senator Swayze will make sure she is able to return to work. Damn it. God, I wish my Dad was alive. I wish I could talk to him. I began to cry, sob, wrapping my arms around myself, rocking back and forth until I could cry no more. I lay down on the floor from where I sat, curling in a fetal position and fell asleep.

I didn’t hear the door open only Jeremy yelling my name, when he saw me lying lifeless on the floor of my foyer. Startled, I sat up quickly, feeling woozy, nausea and pounding in my head. Jeremy grabbed me in his arms, lifting me upright, holding me in a tight embrace.

What happened Copper? Did you fall? Are you okay?

I’m okay, I whispered, relishing in the warmth and security of his embrace. He lifted my chin and looked into my eyes, kissing me gently on my lips then embraced me again.

Let’s go sit down, he said, guiding me to the sofa.

I’m thirsty, I said, sitting down and leaning my head back.

Jeremy quickly grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator, opening it as he returned.

I drank almost the entire bottle before saying, I have to use the bathroom, standing quickly, dizzy and nauseous before falling into Jeremy’s arms.

Waoh, baby.

I have to go, I demanded. He held me tight to his side, walking me to the powder room off the kitchen.

Let me take your jacket, he said as he helped me. I reached to close the door, No, I want to stay with you.

No Jeremy, I’m okay. Please.

He left me to my privacy. I removed my skirt letting it fall to the floor, then, sat down. Suddenly I was overcome with nausea and vomited the water I had just drunk. Jeremy opened the door and grabbed a towel for me as I continued to dry heave, shaking and trying to catch my breath. He took a bath size towel from the closet and wrapped it around me. The dry heaves subsided but I was still trembling, now with chills. Jeremy wet a washcloth and wiped my face and hands.

I want to lie down. He helped me to my feet and walked me back to the sofa where he covered me with an afghan. He brought me a small trash can and went back into the kitchen, returning with a bowl of small ice cubes, the size of gum drops from trays I keep in the freezer.

Thank you, as I looked into his eyes, eyes that were filled with worry. He sat next to me, brushing the hair from my forehead, gently rubbing my shoulders. Sitting part way up, I put a few icy gum drops in my mouth.

Baby, he sighed.

I’m sorry, as I started to cry.

No, shhhh. Just sit there quietly for a few minutes. I nodded my head.

Could you get me an Ibuprofen, I asked, as he quickly made his way to a cabinet in the kitchen. Two, please.

Jeremy, could you make me one of those ‘Soup To Go’? I haven’t eaten all day, except for a breakfast bar this morning.

Copper, no wonder you’re feeling so ill. Why the hell didn’t you eat all day, clearly trying to hold his anger at bay, as he walked to the kitchen to microwave the soup.

I didn’t respond to him just closed my eyes hoping the relief from the splitting headache would come soon.

I sipped the soup, about half, then lay back down, closing my eyes.

Thanks, Jeremy. That’s good for now. I’m just going to lay here for a while.

I heard Jeremy pick up my purse, keys and shoes from the foyer, and shortly thereafter, the front door opened and he stepped outside. That’s all I remember, as I drifted off to sleep. I awoke having dreamt we were at the beach, no it was Puerto Rico and the smell of salt air and fish was in the air. And I was starving. When I opened my eyes, Jeremy was sitting at the kitchen table, facing me, as he worked at the laptop. The smell of fish was indeed in the air, he was cooking dinner. He rose and quickly came to my side.

Feeling better, baby, he asked as he kissed my forehead.

Much better. Thank you.

Hungry?

Famished.

Good, I made dinner. Found Salmon in the freezer.

I was dreaming we were in Puerto Rico and having dinner by the ocean and I could smell fish.

Jeremy chuckled, Glad you were having a good dream. Dinner should be ready in about ten minutes. Can I get you anything?

No, thank you, but I would like to go upstairs and take a shower, if I have time.

Plenty of time. Let’s go, he said as he took my hand and helped me up.

Copper, after dinner, if you are feeling up to it, we need to talk about what happened today at your meeting.

I started to say something and he held up his hand. Later, we will talk. Peter will be coming over in a while…

I interrupted, For dinner?

No, he is out to dinner at the moment with some people from the office. And well, we’ll talk about everything later. He kissed my forehead and headed back downstairs. Call me if you need me.

If felt wonderful to get in the shower and get washed from head to toe and brush my teeth. Yuck, poor Jeremy had to deal with me puking. What he has been through with me. Peter too. I am lucky to have both of them on my side. If only my Dad were still alive. Damn it, why did he have to leave me so alone. I do have Aunt Sara, and my Mom if I am absolutely desperate, and she is in the country, or the states, or not otherwise unavailable. I have Jed too. I know I could count on him as well. And of course, my kitties who came to my rescue when I arrived home.

After drying my hair with a towel, putting it up in a clip, I dressed in sweat shorts and a tee shirt and made my way downstairs. Dinner was on the table and Jeremy was waiting, capturing me in his warm embrace.

You look much better. Boy did you give me a scare, he said, noticeably relieved.

Jeremy had made baked Salmon with lemon, a vegetable melody of broccoli, carrots, red and yellow sweet peppers and snap peas, and white rice. I wasn’t quite as hungry as expected but ate a fair amount. Jeremy insisted on cleaning up and I made my way back to the sofa, still feeling weak and out of sorts.

I curled up in the afghan and started to doze off again when I heard the front door open and Peter’s voice.

Delivery for Copper Penny from The Corner Bakery, Peter announced.

I sat up and smiled as Peter walked towards me, a carry bag full of yummy desserts, no doubt. He leaned over and gave me a quick kiss on my lips, sat down next to me and asked how I was feeling. I glanced over at Jeremy and he was smiling. He never appeared jealous when Peter showed affection towards me. That’s good, I guess.

Feeling much better, now. Jeremy took care of me. How was dinner?

Good! Ate at Maggiano’s which is why I come with goodies from The Corner Bakery.

I took the bag from him and peered inside. I want some of that cake.

He took the bag to the kitchen, cut me a piece of cake and Jeremy poured a glass of milk for me. These guys know me too well, I’m afraid!

After two pieces of cake, they got down to business. Déjà vu, I swear.

Jeremy began, We were in a meeting most of the afternoon and when I tried to reach you on your cell, you didn’t answer. I thought you may have stopped back home after your meeting with the police and were headed back to the office. After the meeting, when it was clear you had not returned to the office, and I couldn’t reach you on your cell, I headed here. That’s when I found you.

I’m sorry, Jeremy, tears welled in my eyes.

Copper, settle down. It’s okay. He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close. Peter sat across from us, a concerned look evident on his face.

The meeting with Detective Morrisey was awful, just awful. I guess you…

Peter interrupted, Yes, we learned during our meeting today that all charges against Cameron have been dropped.

It’s because of Senator Swayze, isn’t it? He intervened and used his influence to get the charges dropped.

Jeremy released me and turned in my direction, Yes, he used his influence to have the charges dropped. He and his high society attorney stormed the police station demanding to meet with the chief of police and the arresting officers. The chief met with them and Senator Swayze convinced them, under threat of a lawsuit, to drop all charges. This is politics at its best. Swayze has a lot of power and friends in high places and he could squash the chief like a bug.

Peter interjected, That brings us to the next meeting held earlier today at the FBI offices. Senator Swayze arrived in his limousine, attorney at his side and demanded that Cameron be reinstated. We were not invited to the meeting and it didn’t last more than twenty minutes. They met with Dickerson and Ellis, who Swayze knows quite well. In fact, it was Dickerson who got the job for Cameron in the first place.

Jeremy continued, We were then called into a meeting that included Dickerson and Ellis, Nick, Tally from Human Resources and Cameron’s boss. Dickerson informed us that Cameron would be back to work tomorrow.

I gasped, putting my hand to my mouth.

We know, Copper. This is going to be a tough situation, Jeremy concluded. We were told that under no uncertain terms was this matter to be resurrected at any time. Cameron has been cleared of all charges and she will return to the agency with a clean record.

She’ll probably get a raise, I said, sarcastically.

Peter began, Actually, Cameron is being transferred out of the Mailroom to some other department. I don’t believe they had made the decision at the time of the meeting. Strictly my opinion, but probably a position where she will not have accesses to every area. Working in the Mailroom allowed her access to practically every area in the building. Suffice it to say, she will not have access to areas where evidence or weapons are stored.

I bet she has stolen weapons stashed somewhere, I suggested. Peter nodded in agreement.

Jeremy continued, After Dickerson and Ellis left us in the conference room, we all sat there shell shocked and speechless for several minutes. Of course, Peter broke the silence and initiated a discussion. Tally was not as forthcoming as the others, which is understandable in her position as Human Resources representative. We were in agreement that whoever was stalking you is likely an employee of the agency.

Chapter 2

You are probably wondering what the heck that was all about. I’ll tell you in a minute.

Copper Penelope Cooper, reporting for duty! Just kidding. Who would name their daughter Copper Penny? That would be my parents, Franklin and Ginny who are both blondes. When this curly, copper hair kid popped out of my mom’s womb they both said ‘Copper?" and the rest is history.

I grew up in Villanova, Pennsylvania and attended private schools. Big whoop! I was always tall for my age and stood out like a sore thumb with my curly copper color hair. Shy and quiet best described me, with my head always buried in a book. My dad, an attorney, died suddenly at the end of my junior year of high school. He meant everything to me and I miss him every day of my life. My mom, well, she has spent all of my life climbing the social ladder and had very little to do with raising me. That was left to Aunt Sara, who really wasn’t my aunt, but my nanny. She was and is my ‘mom’ in every sense of the word.

Not that long ago, I learned that my dad and Aunt Sara had a fifteen

Reviews for Copper Penny Lane

[darla_ortiz_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The adventures continue with Copper Penny Cooper. This time she is with Jeremy (still messing with Peter) and someone is really messing with her…the question is who and why? “Copper Penny Lane” will have you flipping the pages as fast as you can, and I liked the unpredictable action that unfolded every step of the way. It has been some time since I’d read the first book, and I appreciated that the author recapped the events thoroughly so that even someone who hadn’t read the first would be able to enjoy this one no problem. There were some minor editing and punctuation things, but nothing too horrible, I didn’t think. Overall an entertaining read and I hope the author continues with this series as it is a real pleasure to read!

[bellareadz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

this is the second book I’ve read from Leise Chadwick, the first being “One Copper Penny” which I gave 5/5 stars. This book is from the same series and I really enjoyed it, but felt it was lacking some of the spice from the first that had made me love it so much. I am a fan of my “adult” fiction and found this one was much tamer than the first “romantically” speaking, which was a disappointment for me, I’ll say. However, many of the things I loved about the first book were here in the second, namely the author’s unique “voice” and the dry wit of the characters and the book’s fast pace with twists and turns. So even though for me it fell a shade shy of its predecessor, I still give “Copper Penny Lane” 5 stars for being such a fun read.

[bejissmom · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I admit when I read the first chapter I was all lost and confused because it just blasts right in with the action and I was like “whoa, what is happening?” but then on the second chapter everything becomes clear and I even got a chuckle from the way Ms. Chadwick writes to the readers (in the form of Copper’s narrative). She has such a charming voice and I often find myself chuckling as I’m reading along, or raising my eyebrows with surprise. One thing I really liked about this novel (as well as the other I read from her) is that she doesn’t waste words with excessive descriptions or annoying inner narratives that slow down the story. Everything is clear, concise, and keeps the plot moving forward at a brisk pace. If I had one grumble it would be that it needs some proofing or editing as there were some things I noticed, but this seems to be pretty common amongst e-books so I won’t be too critical. If you like fast-paced mysteries with lots of sexy action, this is a don’t miss novel!

[readergurrl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this book cover to cover in one day. It was the perfect kind of read to devour in the course of a rainy afternoon in front of the fire. It was light and easy, but still had plenty of substance to capture my imagination and keep me turning the pages to see what would happen. There was plenty of tension, not only between the characters, but with Copper receiving threatening letters and having people around her die and relationship dramas...there is plenty of intrigue and twists and turns to keep you hooked. I like how the characters aren’t cookie-cutter and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.