Boss Lady: A Zora Cooper Mystery Novella #2

By Sylvia Hester

Zora Cooper is back in the second installment with a price tag on her head. B nor Malcolm knows who is responsible. Will they find out before Zora meets her end?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sylvia Hester
• Release date: Sep 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370433919

Sylvia Hester

Sylvia Hester lives in Virginia with her teenage daughter and a very spoiled dog. She has always loved to write and when voices from many books jumped in her head. She decided to put their words to paper. Although "A Complete Stranger" is her first published work, it will not be her last. Sylvia is busy working on her next novel for your enjoyment.

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Boss Lady

A Zora Cooper Mystery Novella #2

By Sylvia Hester

Copyright 2016 Sylvia Hester

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

DEDICATION

To my Sister, Jackie. Maybe you will read this one.

Chapter 1

Home sweet home. When B found out I had a price tag on my head, he forced Malcolm and I to become roommates. After I found out Malcolm worked for B our nonexistent relationship took a nose dive off the high board into an empty pool. Bright side, B will pay my mortgage as long as Malcolm is under my roof.

Malcolm left me to fend for myself for a week in our safe house. He had to take his brother’s body back to their childhood home to be buried next to their parents. It still seems surreal. Max, Malcolm’s brother, was murdered because of me. Well sort of. A delusional boy fell in love with me and thought killing Max, who he thought was Malcolm, would make me fall in love with him if he took out the competition.

The day after arriving home, I dragged Rex to the vet. Since I didn’t know his past vaccination records, they gave him all his shots, neutered, and chipped him. I was told Rex was a little underweight but otherwise he was in excellent health. Rex pouted for two days.

My house shrunk in size with two new roommates. Fifteen hundred square feet is pretty decent size for one person but when you add a dog and a six feet tall man that space shrinks drastically. When I pulled my red old faithful car into the driveway, Rex knew he was home. He jumped over the seat into Malcolm’s lap and licked him on the mouth.

Zora.

I laughed at the expression of horror on his face. His eyes grew wide. He tried to push his body through the front seat. His hand shook when he threw open the door. Rex gave him one last kiss before bounding out of the car.

I have two spare bedrooms, you have your choice, I said pointing to the rooms. He decided on the room closest to the front door. After dropping his bag inside the room, he said he wanted to survey the house and yard for any hidden spots.

I don’t like the fact your house is against the woods. How far away are your neighbors?

The reason I bought this house in the first place is because of the five acres of land and the solitude. I should flinch at isolating myself from people after returning from my jobs. The way I see it, I am only a short drive away from town and my family. Sometimes, the peace is a welcome break.

Do you keep your shed lock?

For what?

It has the potential of a hiding place. I also noticed you don’t have an alarm system. I will go today to purchase and install one.

Malcolm, really. Is all of this necessary?

Yes, when you have a price on your head of half a million dollars…

Excuse me. Repeat that, I stuttered. I have a half a million dollars bounty on my head. He must have misspoke.

B told me when he called me earlier.

How dare you keep information from me? I shouted. Rex padded over to me. He growled and snapped towards Malcolm.

I’ll be back soon. Can I use your car until I buy one? I flung my keys hard at his head before stumping to the back of the house. A month later and I still am a pissed he kept something like that from me.

Hey, Malcolm said when I walked in the door with Rex padding behind me. How was your run?

If you ran with me you would know, I said releasing Rex.

Not going to happen with him along. Malcolm is scared shitless of dogs.

Rex waited on Malcolm to say something before trotting towards the kitchen for water. I listen to him slurp noisily before following him.

So, anything new from B? I asked from behind the open refrigerator door.

No. Nothing new. I guess we can at least breathe a sigh of relief for now, he answered from the door way.

I would like to get back to work, I said grabbing a bottle of water. I never thought I would miss doing what I did. I also don’t like feeling like a caged animal either.

Same here. I hate being unable to come and go as I like. I miss my own bed, he replied.

You don’t have to stay here, I growled. Malcom has more freedom then me but he somehow throw in my face the fact he is a glorified babysitter. When he and B found out someone placed a target on my back, B wanted to protect me. Since Malcolm and I were friendly, he felt Malcolm was the best person for the job. Malcolm didn’t want the job. I