Kissing in Action (Lexi Graves Mysteries, 7)

By Camilla Chafer

When Lexi gets the gig to find the blackmailer extorting thousands of dollars from the country’s hottest girl band, it’s a dream come true. However, rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous isn’t as much fun as she hoped. Instead of four cool young women with a squeaky clean image eager to aid her investigation, Lexi is faced with squabbling and fighting and a band who will do just about anything to hinder her search for the truth. Before she even gets started, disaster strikes and one of the band is found dead, a knife in her back. Has the blackmailer graduated to murder?

With one of the band dead, and another the chief suspect, Lexi must unveil the secrets the band are hiding from their adoring public. As their secrets slowly come out, and the press descend on Montgomery, Lexi must find the culprit and fast before disaster strikes again.

While the band have serious problems to contend with, Lexi’s personal life takes a puzzling turn as her boyfriend-slash-boss, and best friend, start behaving very strangely. Lexi must find out what’s going on with the two most important people in life and hold down the trickiest investigation of her career.

Also in the Lexi Graves Mysteries:
Armed and Fabulous
Who Glares Wins
Command Indecision
Shock and Awesome
Weapons of Mass Distraction
Laugh or Death
Kissing in Action
Also available in two omnibus editions.

Visit the author at www.camillachafer.com for a free Lexi short story "Grave Trouble", a mailing list sign-up and more information.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Camilla Chafer
• Release date: Dec 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781909577077

Camilla Chafer

USA Today bestselling author Camilla Chafer is the author of the Lexi Graves Mysteries, the Deadlines Mystery Trilogy (a spin off from Lexi Graves), Calendar Murder Mysteries, and the Stella Mayweather urban fantasy series. She is also the author/editor of several non-fiction books and has written for newspapers, magazines and websites internationally.Visit www.camillachafer.com for all the latest news. Sign up for her mailing list to be in the know when the next book comes out.

Book preview

Kissing in Action

Lexi Graves Mysteries, Book 7

Camilla Chafer

Kissing in Action

Copyright: Camilla Chafer

Published: December 2014

Publisher: Audacious

ISBN: 978-1-909577-07-7

Smashwords edition

The right of Camilla Chafer to be identified as author of this Work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.

Visit the author online at www.camillachafer.com to sign up to her newsletter and for more information on other titles.

Other books:

Lexi Graves Mysteries:

Armed & Fabulous

Who Glares Wins

Command Indecision

Shock and Awesome

Weapons of Mass Distraction

Laugh or Death

Kissing in Action

Stella Mayweather Series (Urban Fantasy):

Illicit Magic

Unruly Magic

Devious Magic

Magic Rising

Arcane Magic

Contents

Copyright

Synopsis

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

About the author

Kissing in Action

When Lexi gets her latest gig, tracking down a blackmailer guilty of extorting thousands of dollars from the country’s hottest girl band, it’s practically a dream come true. However, rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous doesn’t turn out to be as much fun as she hoped. Instead of four cool, young women with a squeaky clean image, who are eager to aid in her investigation, Lexi must deal with incessant squabbling and fighting from a band who will do just about anything to hinder her search for the truth. Before she even gets started, disaster strikes: one member of the band is found dead with a knife in her back. Has the blackmailer graduated to murder?

Now, with one member dead, and another the chief suspect, Lexi must unveil the secrets the band is hiding from their adoring fans. As the truth slowly unfolds, and the press and paparazzi descend on Montgomery, Lexi must find the culprit and fast, before disaster strikes again.

Along with the band’s serious problems, (as if she didn’t already have enough to contend with), Lexi’s personal life also takes a puzzling turn. Her boyfriend-slash-boss and her best friend suddenly start behaving very strangely around her. Lexi, however, is bound and determined to find out what’s going on with the two most important people in her life while solving the trickiest investigation of her career.

Chapter One

I was sitting in my car, my camera in my lap, on a cold and gray morning when two strange women caught my eye. Both wore panama hats and trench coats that were buttoned to the neck with their collars turned up. One wore unfeasibly large sunglasses. The other had a mustache. The mustache was fake, and really didn't suit my mother. The Panama hat, however, did look good on my best friend-slash-sister-in-law, Lily.

Since I had no idea what the two of them might have been doing, I decided my best option was to call Lily.

Hey, I said, when Lily answered. Through my zoom lens, I watched her lift the phone to her ear while she pressed her back against the wall. My mother leaned against the wall too, then opened her purse and retrieved a newspaper, which she held to her face. I repressed a sigh. Fortunately, she didn't cut eyeholes in it.

Hey, you, I cooed, Whatcha doin'?

Who? Me? asked Lily.

Um, yes. I frowned, zooming into the panicked look on Lily's face. She mouthed my name to my mother, now headless behind the newspaper. If she mouthed anything back, however, it was lost on me.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Where are you?

Oh, just hanging out. Downtown.

I narrowed my eyes at her through the lens at her blatant lie. I might just meet you. Do you want to get a coffee?

Me? No. No, definitely not.

You don't have time for coffee?

I'm doing— There was a long pause, during which, I watched Lily whip out a pair of binoculars from her trench coat and focus on something further down the street. I followed her line of sight with my camera. There was only one man on the street. He wore blue jeans, a black, zip-up hoodie, and a blue ball cap and carried a small, canvas gym bag. He didn't look familiar. —Something really important, Lily finished.

Yeah? What?

Just bar stuff. Um, new cocktail recipes. I'm also thinking of jazzing up the cocktail menu. Maybe even adding some snacks.

I'd love to help!

No can do. This is highly specialized work.

Okay. Well, maybe I'll call my mom and see if she wants to go out for brunch.

Your mom's busy.

How do you know?

I just saw her! Lily shrugged and mouthed something incomprehensible at my newspaper-masked mother. What is this, Lexi? Twenty questions? You private investigators! Always on the job!

So...

Great to chat! Gotta go! Lily hung up.

Weirdos, I said to my cell phone as I tossed it onto the passenger seat and took another look at the man in the ball cap. He scanned the area around him before entering the public library. I lost him for a moment, but saw him again through the long picture window over the main entrance. He took the stairs to the second floor and retreated into the non-fiction section, only to be lost from view. I refocused my camera onto my mom and Lily just in time to see them exiting the alley and hurrying along the street. They stopped outside the pharmacy, looking around, and appearing confused. There were some hand gestures and both held binoculars over their eyes as they scanned the street.

I grabbed my phone and called Lily again.

Yeah? she said when she answered.

How's the cocktail menu going?

What are you talking about?

Your new cocktail menu.

Oh yeah! That! Great! Just great! Listen, we'll have to catch up...

Are you following a guy in a blue ball cap?

No! No! Where did you get that idea? What a bizarre thing to ask! Crazy! But just out of interest, did you see where he went?

The public library. He's on the second floor and just disappeared into the non-fiction section.

Awesome, thanks, but no, I'm not following him. Crazy. Bizarre.

I'm not going to ask, but that guy in the ball cap is now on his way out. Say hi to my mom, I replied before hanging up, and smiling.

I watched Lily and my mom speak briefly as they flapped around in a moment of heightened panic. Both of them collided, then darted to opposite sides of the library doors, concealing themselves just as the man exited. I noticed he no longer carried his bag. Apparently, Lily and my mom noticed it also because they both dashed inside. Through the viewfinder, I followed them upstairs and continued watching as they rushed around the library. After a couple of minutes, my mom reappeared, holding the bag aloft and they high-fived.

It just gets weirder and weirder, I said out loud. Part of me wanted to call and demand to know what crazy thing they were involved in, but a bigger part of me didn't want to get roped into any of that lunacy. I’d had enough crazy in my life recently. After just completing a simple surveillance case: two full weeks of sitting on my ass in my VW while a shady employee stole and sold his employer's electronic products to pawn shops, I was looking forward to a nice little commission for the simple job and help put a bad guy in jail. Truth was, while some cases were complicated, and fully worthy of snatching every waking moment of my attention, I enjoyed doing the smaller jobs. They were safer. They didn't risk getting me kidnapped, or shot at, or anything else that might turn me into a nervous wreck, or force me to wear flats everyday in order to sprint faster if the situation turned scary.

Now, with my camera full of evidence on the seat next to me, and my mom and Lily out of view, I gunned the engine and headed back to the Solomon Detective Agency, ready to close another case.

~

Sweetheart, I've got the best job in the world for you! It's not even dangerous!

Considering some of the jobs I completed during my employ at the private detective agency I worked for, somehow, I doubted it. Nevertheless, I liked the enthusiasm of my boss-slash-boyfriend, Solomon. He was a terrific-looking man. Tall, handsome, closely-shaven black hair, skin like melted chocolate — and every bit as lickable — and eyes that sparkled when he was happy. He also gave me my first lucky break when I was at a crossroads in my life. Our current relationship developed later, but both facets of it were just as important to him. To some, working for your boyfriend might be a turnoff. To me, it was a bonus.

No, really, Solomon continued when I merely raised my eyebrows before returning my attention to the online sale I currently browsed. It's a dream job. Something you'd kill for.

Is it posing as a mystery shopper with an unlimited credit card that never needs paying back? I asked hopefully. At least seventeen pairs of heels had my name on them; and a job like that would have come in very useful right about now. I pushed my file towards him. I closed the case and I'm ready for something juicy like that.

No, but close. Quite close. Okay, nowhere near close, he admitted, taking the file and tucking it under his arm.

Ugh! I said, removing fifteen pairs from my basket.

Lexi!

I looked up again. What?

Where's your enthusiasm?

I left it at home.

You are going to love this case.

I had to wonder at Solomon's enthusiasm. He didn't usually get so excited about our steady influx of surveillance jobs, or crimes that the police couldn't solve. Whatever it was had to be juicy. That, if nothing else, now captured my attention. Does it involve serial killers? I asked, suspicion tingeing my voice. Three months ago, we solved a missing persons case that turned out to be a ruse by a prolific serial killer. He attempted to dupe us into seeking a victim who escaped, while he turned his attentions on me. I escaped too, and his prior victim got a book deal out of it. He got a jail deal: life. The case managed to earn the detective agency a lot of attention, as well as several new cases.

No.

Thieves?

No.

Will I get shot, stabbed, or kidnapped?

Solomon paused.

I sighed. On a scale of one to ten, how likely are any of those things to happen?

The corners of his lips twitched. Between one and three.

I sighed again.

Those are good odds!

Does it involve dressing up?

No.

Oh, thank heavens. I breathed a sigh of relief. I was thinking back to an ill-advised decision a couple of years ago when my best friend, Lily, and I masqueraded as both ends of a plush pony in order to catch a bad guy. Since then, Lily married my brother and bought several other disguises, while I got duped by a master criminal, but managed to escape a serial killer. At least, I could never again say my life was boring. I couldn't say Lily's was either, not when I remembered what I caught her doing earlier.

Unless you want to wear really nice clothes. We may have a budget.

My attention was all his. Okay, what is it?

We're going to be working with the risk management team on our highest profile case yet.

I had yet to work with the risk management team, so that was very interesting news... and high profile? I folded the lid of my laptop, offering Solomon my undivided attention. Go on.

We've been called in by B4U to provide security and help with a...

B4U? As in, the hot, sensational girl band, B4U?

Yes.

"B4U!"

Still, yes.

As in the megabucks-loaded, after a super-famous meteoric ride to the top, platinum-selling B4U?

If that's what it says on Wikipedia, then yes.

B4U were the hot young sensation sweeping the country. Their uplifting beats and catchy lyrics, combined with gorgeous looks and all the latest fashions guaranteed them a skyrocket ride to success. They were assembled six years ago for a role on a kids' TV channel. It soon became a huge sensation, spawning two TV movies, one sellout tour, and three albums with several number one hits. My niece, Chloe, loved them. I tried but failed to get Chloe tickets to their concert for her birthday. Now I was about to become the best aunt in the history of the universe thanks to an all-access pass to the band. Screw serial killers, this was one hot gig!

Why don't they already have a security team? I asked. Actually, I knew very well they did after seeing a photo online of two of the band divas recently. They were on a shopping trip and surrounded by giants clad in black B4U t-shirts.

They do. They need something else from us.

I'm listening.

It's not just a simple security job, although we'll be providing those services too.

Alongside their security?

Possibly, in place of, Solomon replied.

Sounds fishy. What's up with their people?

I'm getting to that!

I paused, almost impatient for Solomon to begin speaking again. Please continue, I said just as he opened his mouth. He gave me a look. I gave him one back. He probably liked it, but he didn't say.

They are currently experiencing some problems and need an outside agency to help out. They don't trust their own team; so we're going to aid them while they're in town. Apparently, they're filming a new video here, as well as performing in a concert. They got here four days ago and will be on a layover for two weeks.

Montgomery is going to be a heaving mass of teens screaming for the next two weeks, I sighed. I'll probably be late for work every day. I think it's reasonable to let you know that in advance.

Get up earlier, was Solomon's response. And it won't be that bad.

Have you seen their fans? They could break glass with their shrill screaming. I heard their fans blew out some windows at the last book-signing for their latest biography.

I'm glad you know all this stuff because you'll be working directly with them.

I've never been a security guard before. Will I have to wear flats? Also, I'll need a B4U t-shirt in a size small, along with four tickets to their concert.

You won't be a security guard now either, and you can wear whatever you like. Why do you need tickets to their concert? He paused, smiling, with a glint in his eye that he never showed my male colleagues. I was pretty happy about that. It would have raised some interesting questions if he did. I'm very happy to supply you with a small t-shirt. I won't even ask why you need it for the job. I'm hoping you're just trying to blend in.

The shirt is for my niece and it's a deal breaker if I don't get it. If my family should happen to find out I'm working with B4U, and I fail to use my powers to gain access to their exclusive merchandise, my niece will be devastated! I'll probably have to tell my mother and she might mention it to you...

Consider it done, Solomon said quickly. I'll get you whatever you need.

Four tickets and some signed CDs, I added quickly. Perhaps a brief cameo in their video...

Don't push it.

Okay. What will I be doing?

It's a simple investigation. All you need to do is find out who is blackmailing the band.

Tell me everything!

Chapter Two

Juicy! said Lily when I caught up with her at the bar she owned. Her disguise was gone and she was dressed in a simple, white Lily's Bar t-shirt and black pants. She didn't mention what she was up to earlier and I didn't ask, although I was actually nearly desperate to know. However, having shared my exciting news, Lily spent the last five minutes jumping up and down while shrieking with glee. Finally, she settled down and placed a coffee in front of me. What I really wanted was a cocktail, but I had an appointment to meet the band later, and I didn't want to risk turning up inebriated.

Who's blackmailing them?

Pay attention! That's what I'm supposed to be finding out. Solomon told me...

Who did he hear it from?

Umm... I frowned. I had no idea. I don't know. Their manager?

Okay. What did he say?

All I know is that B4U received threatening letters on every leg of their tour so far. Since they're staying in Montgomery for two weeks to shoot their video, they hope this might be their best chance to find the blackmailer before the tour, as well as the band's reputation, get ruined.

Pfft, said Lily rudely. Their reputations are so squeaky clean, they probably sneeze laundry detergent.

They do seem nice, I admitted as I flicked through a magazine. As luck would have it, there was a paparazzi shot of B4U walking into a high-end store. Each band member was superbly styled in the latest fashions. I spotted at least one Vuitton hung on an arm, and three pairs of Louboutins. The rest of the clothing labels were lost on me, but each woman seemed to have invested several thousand dollars into their fashions, with everything utterly hip and desirable. Along with glossy hair and perfect figures, the band members had become role models and the latest paradigms for hundreds of thousands of adoring fans.

Nice? Lily reached for the magazine and turned it around. Lauren Young personally donates ten percent of her salary every year to needy children. Amelia Toren is a mentor for inner city kids. Katya Markova escaped from Russia at age five, and came to America with nothing. She claims to be entirely self-made, and does motivational speeches in high schools for free. And Shelley Solis rescued a pug from a burning building before finding it a new home as a therapy dog for elderly citizens!

How do you know all this stuff? I asked.

Jord and I took Chloe to the park over the weekend and she didn't stop talking about them. I think I know everything a little kid needs to know about B4U, except how to get concert tickets.

I told Solomon I needed concert tickets and merchandise, or I wouldn't take the case. Maybe I should visit Chloe and get some inside info?

She'll tell you anything you ask the minute you tell her you're working with them. You're going to be the all time number one aunt!

I already am.

Number one biological aunt, Lily clarified.

Whatever. Still number one!

Did I mention they had nine number one songs in two years? Lily continued. Dragging a bar stool over and perching on it, she began blowing on her decaf coffee to cool it before taking a sip. Not to mention, I love their TV show.

I took another look at the photo. Who would want to blackmail four saccharine-sweet, accomplished, self-made, philanthropic young women? I asked.

Don't ask me. That's your job! One of them probably has a dirty, little secret. Maybe even a sex tape.

I frowned. Really? Do starlets still fall for that?

Only the really stupid ones.

I'll check it out, I said, making a mental note.

When do you start?

Officially, tomorrow. They got into town last night and I'm going to meet them this evening. Tomorrow, I'll go through all the existing blackmail demands and keep an eye out for the source of the next one while Solomon works through their security issues.

I want to come. I bet I could help. Also, I... No, I got nothing. I just want to meet B4U. Do you think they'll come to my bar?

I have no idea.

Could you tell them that Lily's Bar is the hottest hangout in Montgomery?

I will.

And will you also let me know if they plan to come, so I can tip off the press?

That would be wrong and possibly an invasion of their privacy.

Fine, I won't tip off the press, but I might take a selfie. Can I still meet them too? I can take notes or something?

Sure, I guess. Solomon didn't say I couldn't bring anyone, I replied. He didn't exactly say I could bring someone either. In my book, that was as good as permission; plus, he usually didn't mind Lily so long as he didn't have to pay her.

That's settled then. Hey, maybe the blackmailer is someone jealous in their crew? It doesn't matter how nice a person is if someone else covets what they have.

I wondered that too. It would explain how the blackmailer always knows where they are staying. Solomon said they kept their hotel details under a 'for your eyes only' requirement so that the public wouldn’t know in advance. Sometimes, even the band doesn’t know until they get there; and they even go so far as to book in under false names.

I would book under something really glam like Countess Esmeralda Blackheart.

I turned the page of the magazine as I raised my eyebrows. No one would ever be curious over that kind of name.

I know, right? Perfect! What did you say they were being blackmailed for?

Solomon didn't mention it. I don't think he knows. He said they are trying to keep it all under wraps so the press doesn't find out. It's strictly on a need-to-know basis. I can't even see the blackmail letters until tomorrow.

Lily blanched. But you're going to tell me, right?

Maybe.

How dare you 'maybe' me! You're my oldest friend and now we're related! Since when did we start keeping things from each other?

Since my job went on the line if anyone found out. I signed a non-disclosure.

Lily flicked another page, settling her gaze on a shirtless shot of Hollywood's latest heartthrob. Hey, look at this. It's written by Shayne Winter.

Who?

"The Montgomery Gazette reporter who stalked us at the pony convention."

I had a vague recollection of the pretty, but pesky blonde reporter who was so determined to get a story. She really made it to Hollywood? Good for her.

Looks like the perfect job. Write fifty words, six of which are 'dribble' and get paid. Anyway, if you get fired, we'll set up our own detective agency. I bet we could attract loads of clients. I could give a free pitcher of margaritas as an incentive to pay up front.

You sound like my mother. She's still trying to persuade me to set something up with my dad.

Your poor dad. Did he enjoy the cruise?

He loved it, but you could have asked my mother that.

What? How? I haven't seen your mother in so long. Not at all.

I narrowed my eyes. Yes, you have.

Have. Not.

I saw you!

Where?

Outside the library, this morning. You were following a man. You were in disguise.

Then how did you know it was me?

I called you and spoke to you!

Oh… yeah.

I also watched you through my zoom lens.

Stalker!

Hardly, I was wrapping up a case. What were you both doing anyway?

Lily's nostrils flared. I'm not at liberty to say.

I'll ask Mom.

Great! Now tell me how you intend to bring down the blackmailer, and keep one of the biggest, most famous, current bands safe, while not getting mobbed by the media? Do you need to borrow a disguise from me?

I checked my watch, blanching as soon as I noted the time. If I didn't hurry, I would be late to meet the band. Judging by Solomon's excitement at getting the case, that wouldn't do at all. We have to go, I told Lily. Still want to come?

You betcha. She spun around on the stool. Ruby, watch the bar... and all the people in it! Lexi and I are going to do something really cool!

~

Solomon met us in the lobby of the Marchmont Hotel, which I visited a few times before and loved. The plush furnishings, the expensive curtains that pooled in front of floor-to-ceiling windows, the cocktail bar... It even had a pretty, walled-in garden where I attended a wedding reception the previous year. Yes, I could have moved right in.

There are a few things you need to know before entering,