Regan O'Reilly, PI, Goes Undercover: Regan O'Reilly, #2

By Margaret Lake

May, 1942 - Regan O'Reilly is on her way to the biggest assignment of her career as a private investigator. Magnum's Department Store has been plagued by a series of thefts and Regan must go undercover to solve the case.

If she's successful, it will be a real feather in her cap. Not to mention, the job takes her out of the reach of Mark Harris, the man who has begun to win her heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jobree Publishing
• Release date: Dec 22, 2011
• ISBN: 9781498941662

Margaret Lake

Margaret Lake was born in New Jersey, but moved to Florida in her early teens and has lived there ever since. Reading has been her favorite activity since she was ten years old. Even after purchasing a Kindle, she still had seven large bookcases filled with paper books. It took years for her to part with the majority of them. Her other passion is history, especially English History, dating from when she first read "Katherine" by Anya Seton. When the inspiration came to write her first novel, she naturally gravitated to the Wars of the Roses because of that book. Her favorite author is Susan Howatch, her favorite book is "Outlander" and her favorite series is Harry Potter. She led a Harry Potter book club at the elementary school and helped with the chess club at both the elementary and high schools. Margaret rescued a nine-year old Jack Russell Terrier named Angelo who passed at the age of 15 on December 3, 2017. Now she has Mikey, a teeny-tiny two year old chihuahua mix (actually 50% chihuahua, 25% miniature poodle, 12.5% maltese and 12.5% terrier according to his DNA), adopted from the Humane Society on March 7, 2018. Mikey has gone a long way toward filling the empty space in her heart left by the loss of Angelo.

Book preview

DESCRIPTION

May, 1942 - Regan O'Reilly is on her way to the biggest assignment of her career as a private investigator. Magnum's Department Store has been plagued by a series of thefts and Regan must go undercover to solve the case.

If she's successful, it will be a real feather in her cap. Not to mention, the job takes her out of the reach of Mark Harris, the man who has begun to win her heart.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Description

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Contact

Copyright

Chapter One

May, 1942

Regan had the top down on her 1934 Ford as she drove away from Hartford. She needed the feel of the wind in her hair, hoping it would help to blow away the cobwebs. She hadn't slept much the last couple of nights. It wasn't the upcoming job that bothered her. She'd been a private eye for several years and had undertaken dangerous jobs before. Not as dangerous as this one could turn out to be, but if you didn't take risks, you would end up doing the same thing every day for the rest of your life. And Regan O'Reilly wasn't a same old thing kind of girl.

No, it wasn't what lay ahead that bothered her. It was what she was leaving behind; Mark Harris and his terrific little boy. Patrick was only nine years old, but he'd captured Regan's heart from the first minute she'd met him. The boy had considered his near-kidnapping a grand adventure.

His father was a life insurance adjuster with Amalgamated and had been investigating a claim. It turned out that the man claiming the insurance money had murdered his wife and he'd had the ridiculous idea that he could force Mark to pay by kidnapping Patrick. Thanks to Regan's quick action, if she did say so herself, Wells had been caught in the act. Patrick and his equally adorable little dog, Mitzi, had been saved.

That was the start of it. Mark had invited Regan over for a thank you dinner, burned the meatloaf, and they'd ended up scrambling eggs together followed by a fierce game of Crazy Eights. It had been one of the best evenings of her life.

When she thought of Mark and Patrick, she thought of sandy blond hair and identical brown, cocker spaniel eyes. She'd only been exposed to those eyes for a few days and already found them impossible to resist. Regan had to wonder how Mark's late wife had managed to hold out against the pleading of her two men. One wasn't too bad, but when both turned those eyes on her, Regan melted.

Regan found it easier to think of them both together, though. That meant she didn't have to think of Mark and his magic mouth.

Regan's first experience with a man had been her fiancé, Lonnie, who she'd turned to after the death of her brother, Bobby. Then Lonnie's fishing boat had gone down with all hands. All that loss had been too much for Regan, and her father had sent her to Hartford to train as a P.I. with a fellow cop who'd retired from the force.

It was a long time before Regan allowed herself to get involved with a man, and she'd always broken it off before it could become too serious. Somehow she didn't think she'd be able to put off Mark as easily as she had the others. He was a determined man, and when she'd driven away from him the other night, she could feel his eyes pulling her back. Mark and Patrick Harris were even more compelling reasons to take this job in Cheshire.

Regan was getting close to Cheshire and it was time to put on her new persona. Her new name was Helen Flaherty, and Eddie McIntyre, who'd hired her, had done an impressive job of supplying her with the new identity in just a few days’ time. He'd also supplied her with a small but expensive wardrobe; flamboyant but not flashy. It was consistent with a woman who had expensive tastes but not enough money to indulge herself too frequently.

First she'd get settled into Mabel McIntyre's house, and then she'd spend tomorrow walking around downtown Cheshire looking for a job. It was up to her to apply and get hired at Magnum's. There was no telling who might be involved in the thefts throughout Magnum's chain of stores, and they couldn't risk setting her up with the job.

Regan drove around downtown Cheshire as planned, letting people see her. She knew she would be noticed with the top down on her bright red convertible. It wasn't the best color for stake-outs, but it was her late brother Bobby's beloved car, and she couldn't give it up. It was perfect for this purpose, though, and Regan made a point of smiling and waving at a few people as if she already knew them.

Then she drove into the residential area as if looking for something in particular. She stopped at a few places that had a room for rent sign out front, finally ending up at Mabel McIntyre's trim little bungalow. There was the sign in the window as promised.

Regan pulled to the curb and took out her compact to touch up her make-up, then ran a comb through her hair. She strolled up to the door, more cocky than confident. She wanted to look like a woman who wanted to be classy but hadn't quite succeeded.

She thought of Barbara Stanwyck in Ball of Fire and Lady Eve. Barbara was her favorite actress, and she was wonderful at playing sassy women who wanted more. So, that's who Helen Flaherty was, with a little bit of Regan O'Reilly thrown in.

Regan pushed the door buzzer, which was answered promptly but not too quickly. She was surprised by the young blonde who answered the door. Surely this couldn't be Eddie McIntyre's sister. Maybe she had the wrong address?

Hello, I'm Helen Flaherty, and I see you have a room for rent. Is it still available? Regan thought she might as well carry the charade through. If this wasn't the right address, she'd have a thing or two to say to Eddie.

Yes, it's still available. I'm Mabel McIntyre. Actually, Mabel Graham. Won't you come in? Mabel stepped away from the door to allow Regan to enter.

As soon as she shut the door behind her, she asked Regan if she would like to see the room.

Yes, I would, Regan replied, puzzled at the lack of information Eddie had given her about his sister. This young woman couldn't be more than 22 or 23 and Regan hadn't known that she was married.

The room was bright and airy with crisply ironed muslin curtains and a colorful patchwork quilt on the four-poster bed. It wasn't overly large, but there was room enough for a chest of drawers, a comfortable armchair with a reading light and a small table.

Yes, this might do, although I've seen two others that were just as nice. Might as well play the role all the way through. How much are you asking?

Five dollars a week including a shared bathroom and kitchen privileges.

Five? That's awfully high, Regan temporized. Are there any other boarders I would have to share with?

No, you would be the only one.

What about your husband? I don't want any trouble there, Regan declared.

No, he's in the RAF. I don't know when I'll see him again. Tears came to Mabel's eyes as she thought of the young pilot she'd married just a short while ago.

I'm sorry, Regan said softly. She touched her hand in sympathy. I guess you could use the company and the money.

I have a good job in the library, Mabel told her proudly, and my parents left me and my brother this house.

How nice. It's a lovely home. Regan pretended to think for a minute. I guess I'll take it, she shrugged as if it didn't matter to her.

Wonderful, Mabel exclaimed. I think we'll get along famously.

We'd better, Regan replied. She was used to living by herself and hoped the girl wouldn't expect her to turn into a sister or anything sappy like that.

I'll help you in with your bags and then make us some tea while you unpack, Helen smiled happily. We can get to know each other a little bit. My brother, Eddie, always says it's nice to find out about people a little bit at a time. If you know too much ahead of time, you're liable to make snap judgments.

So that was it, Regan thought. Eddie didn't want any preconceived notions from either of us, and the less Mabel knew about Regan O'Reilly, the better.

It didn't take long for Regan to unpack. She just had the one suitcase and an overnight bag. Both were of good quality with the initials HF embossed in gold. Okey-dokey, Regan, phase one complete. Now to get to know our sweet, naive, young librarian. One thing she decided right away was that she would keep everyone involved away from Mabel. The girl was too young, too innocent, to take care of herself if things got rough.

When Regan got to the kitchen, Mabel was putting together sandwiches and had soup warming on the stove.

I thought you wouldn't want to worry about dinner for tonight, Mabel said. I always have something simple on Friday.

That's very thoughtful of you, Regan told her. She was having trouble staying in character around Mabel when the girl was so open and friendly. She decided to drop the character when they were alone together. It would be much easier on both of them.

If you'll show me where you keep the dishes, I'll set the table, Regan offered.

The top cabinet on the right, Mabel told her, pointing with the butter knife. Do you mind if we eat in here? she asked. The dining room is so formal.

I love eating in the kitchen, Regan assured her. I haven't had a dining room since I lived with my family.

How long ago did you move away from them? Mabel asked, setting the platter of sandwiches on the table.

About ten years ago. Regan quickly changed the subject. She didn't want to get into her real background with Mabel even though she'd decided to drop the Helen persona around her. How did you end up with a husband in the RAF?

I met Gilbert while I was vacationing in Canada with some of my college friends. We'd just graduated and wanted one last good time before settling down to jobs or marriage.

Looks like you did both.

So I did, Mabel laughed, setting down bowls of soup. Go ahead and eat while it's hot, she told Regan.

It's homemade, isn't it? Regan asked. I usually just heat up a can.

I like to cook, Mabel told her. "It's a good thing I do because Gilbert likes to eat. I don't know how he