Duplicity (Triple Threat #5)

By Laura Harner

“Do you think what you've lost merits a fifty percent commission?”

“Is sixteen million dollars worth your time, Mr. Wilde?”

Nearly four years ago, Dwayne Cashman’s plane disappeared and a very pregnant Clarenda Harris saw her future go up in flames. Now, with lies and legal documents on his side, Cashman’s twin brother Aaron is about to inherit it all. Unless the wrong brother disappeared.
Archer, Zack, and Jeremiah wade through the duplicity surrounding stolen gems and suspected fratricide, only to discover that something closer to home may be lost forever.

More best selling erotic romances from Laura Harner:

Highland Destiny Series (MF):
Highland Shift
Highland Pull
Highland Push
Highland Destiny*

Honey House (Paranormal/Contemporary)

Forbidden Love (Mystery/Suspense)

Three Allowed (MMF Contemporary/Suspense):
Whiteout
Rescued
Salvation
Retribution
Reunion

Willow Springs Ranch Series (MM Contemporary/Western):
Ty Hard
Hold Tight
Taking Chance
Ty'd Down
Hanging Chad
Park's Lot*
Rock Steady*
*Coming soon

Altered States Series (MM Paranormal/Contemporary):
Deep Blues Goodbye
Deadly Shade of Gold
Free Falling Crimson*

Separate Ways (MM Mystery/Contemporary):
Continental Divide
Oceans Apart
Moving Mountains

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura Harner
• Release date: Sep 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781937252601

Laura Harner

Laura lives on waterfront property in Arizona because she's always wanted to be an oxymoron. She once enjoyed hobbies such as gardening and travel—now the characters in her head compel her to tell their stories, so she writes. (It doesn't actually help quiet the voices—but it keeps the folks in the white jackets at bay.)She shares her home with an ever-revolving cast of characters—some of whom are actually real—and is living her dream of building her own version of the Willow Springs Ranch.With over fifty published novels and novellas, Laura is an international bestselling author of erotic romances, romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and Highland romances. Her books can be found at all major online retailers.Connect with her online at:http://lauraharner.com

Book preview

Duplicity: Triple Threat #5

Laura Harner

Copyright

Duplicity: Triple Threat #5 is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2013 by Laura Harner

Cover photograph by DWS Photography

Cover Art by Laura Harner

Edited by Jae Ashley

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-937252-60-1

Smashwords edition published in the United States by Hot Corner Press

Warning: All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any many without written permission, except for brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this book.

Contact the publisher for further information: [e-mail]

Dedication

A very special thank you to all the fans of Pulp Friction Books, and my co-conspirators Havan Fellows, Lee Brazil, and Tom Webb. You all have embraced our crazy idea of serials and cross stories, and make this so much fun to write! I can’t wait until PF 2014…

I would also like to offer a very special thank you to Will Parkinson for keeping track of the characters across all four series in the Pulp Friction Books 2013. We wouldn’t be here in round five without you, my friend.

Trademark Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following trademarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

APD: The Atlanta Police Foundation

Braves: Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc.

Crime Stoppers: Crime Stoppers USA, Inc.

Emory Law Library: Emory University Corporation

Georgia State: Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia

Glock: Glock, Inc.

Google: Google, Inc.

Hummer: General Motors LLC

iMac: Apple, Inc.

iPad: Apple, Inc.

MLB: Major League Baseball Properties, Inc.

Shelby: Carroll Hall Shelby Trust

Sig: Sig Sauer Inc.

Starbucks: Starbucks Corporation

Strayer: Strayer Education, Inc.

Tickle Me (Elmo): Sesame Workshop Corporation

Twitter: Twitter, Inc.

Table of Contents

Copyright

Dedication

Trademarks

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

About the Author

Also Available

The Blurb

Do you think what you've lost merits a fifty percent commission?

Is sixteen million dollars worth your time, Mr. Wilde?

Nearly four years ago, Dwayne Cashman’s plane disappeared and a very pregnant Clarenda Harris saw her future go up in flames. Now, with lies and legal documents on his side, Cashman’s twin brother Aaron is about to inherit it all. Unless the wrong brother disappeared.

Archer, Zack, and Jeremiah wade through the duplicity surrounding stolen gems and suspected fratricide, only to discover that something closer to home may be lost forever.

Chapter One

Nice to meet you, Clarenda. I'm Zack. If you'll follow me, Archer and Jeremiah are waiting in the study. As had become our custom, I greeted our newest prospective client at the door and used the opportunity to size up any potential threat. Although it was possible for a weapon to be hidden almost anywhere, it seemed unlikely that this harried-looking woman was armed with anything more dangerous than the sticky-looking Tickle Me Elmo that stuck out from the top of the oversized canvas bag slung over her shoulder. Standing not much more than five feet even, her long dirty-blonde hair pulled into a messy tail and dressed in khaki capris and a blue and white striped tee shirt, the woman could pass for a college student. Until you looked at her face. Dark circles under her eyes and hard lines etched into her cheeks added ten years to her looks.

Entering the study, I made the introductions and, after handshakes all around, led her to a wingback chair that faced the delicate looking couch Archer favored when we had a client.

As usual, Archer got right to the point. You understand how our business works, Miss Harris? You must have lost something of significant monetary value, and if we are successful, our fee is half of what we recover. Do you think what you've lost merits a fifty percent commission?

Is sixteen million dollars worth your time, Mr. Wilde? Because if I'm right, that's what I estimate my former employer's estate is set to pay to his twin brother in fourteen days.

The money is certainly worth our time, but you say your former employer? When did he die and what is your concern with his estate?

Standing in my usual position near the door, I thought we all knew where this was going—it would have something to do with the stuffed doll and the tired mommy look. Clarenda was another in the long line of secretary-turned-lover who got burned by playing pass the salami with the boss. A sad story, but she needed a paternity test and a good attorney, not us.

Dwayne Cashman disappeared three years, eleven months, two weeks ago. He went missing and was presumed killed while flying an experimental plane from Tuba City, Arizona, to Las Vegas, Nevada, on a gemstone buying trip. There has never been any sign of the plane wreck or recovery of his body. The woman neither fidgeted nor looked away as she spoke.

At the time of his death he was under investigation for dealing in stolen property and there was quite a bit of speculation that he was in possession of the Gryroko Diamond… Her voice rose as if asking a question.

Archer nodded that he was familiar with the stone, but repeated the details for everyone's benefit. A forty carat yellow diamond stolen during a string of high-end robberies here in Atlanta about five years ago. In each of the crimes, only one or two large pieces were taken, and none were ever recovered. It's presumed the stones were split and sold for a fraction of their original value.

As per our arrangement, Jeremiah didn't speak when we had a