Pary Barry & John- Targeted (#6) & BLT (#7): PB & J

By Kamaryn Kelsey

In Targeted, Pary decides she's been fired, so while she is waiting for her unemployment checks to start rolling in she takes on other work. While serving a summons, she inadvertently becomes a witness to a murder... in the dark. As she pieces together what happened in the dark theater, she drags John along for the adventure- and the joy of riding in his new car.

After surviving being targeted, Pary gets a new job offer and a hot new boss. But she's really working undercover, so the hot new boss might just be a suspect in the missing prescriptions scandal at Fletcher Fields. Pary has her own ideas about who is behind the missing drugs. While fighting off the jealous co-workers and trying to get close to the new boss, Pary still manages to drag John into the mess.

And John is looking out for his own interests. With Pary at a new company, things are peaceful at Simon Security. But Pary-like, she is sure to blow her new job, so unfortunately John's best interests are making sure she keeps that new job, even if he has to intervene.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kamaryn Kelsey
• Release date: Feb 8, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386302629

Book preview

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, and events are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to real people, places, or events is purely coincidental.

This is not a standalone book.

Book 6: Targeted

Chapter 1

John Smith's brows rose when he saw his neighbor, Parody Hope Barry, sneaking to the elevator. It didn't look like Pary, but no one else would dress that way, so it had to be her. And if she was sneaking it meant she didn't want John to know. Normally, when Pary left her apartment, half the floor knew, especially John. With a grin, John opened his door and crept down the hall behind her.

I think you missed St. Patty's Day, he said in her ear.

She jumped, scared by the sudden voice in her ear.

Oh, it's just you, she replied with a sniff.

Are you moonlighting as a leprechaun? Masquerading as a troll? he asked.

I'm an elf, John! Look at the shoes. Do trolls wear shoes like this? She held out a foot covered in a green shoe with a curled toe. She wore green tights and a green tunic.

I'm pretty sure they do, he replied.

She gave a huff of exasperation.

Then look at the ears! She lifted her hat and showed him the fake pointy ears she had attached to her own. Trolls don't have ears like this!

Leprechauns do, he teased. So do Martians.

And you know this because you've met so many? Why are you bothering me? Can't you see I'm busy? she snapped.

John looked at the empty hall and waited with her while the elevator slowly made its way to their floor. No, you don't look busy to me.

Well, I am! I'm thinking, John, and that takes a lot of work. I have a job to get to, if you don't mind, she huffed as the elevator stopped and she got on.

And you don't expect me to drive you? he asked. And why the getup? I'm pretty sure Frank's not throwing a masquerade party.

Why would I expect you to drive me? she asked. I'd rather roll to my destination than accept a ride from the person who fired me! Besides, we're going in different directions.

She pushed the button and the elevator doors closed in his face.

You're funny, he muttered to the closed doors. Pary's green outfit didn't surprise him at all. For an average looking woman, Pary was also the most unconventional woman he'd ever met. No one would realize her normal looking light brown hair and dark gray eyes hid a brain as twisted as the Guggenheim. He'd seen more odd clothes since meeting Pary than he had in his lifetime... and that included every party and circus he'd attended, plus college. What puzzled John was her refusal of his offer of a ride.

Pary coveted John's new car. She even tried to win it in a bet. She was unable to resist the many buttons and gadgets his new car sported, and played with them whenever she was in the car. So why did she turn down the chance today? John shrugged. He'd find out at work, or whenever she got around to speaking to him again. It wouldn't be long before she was pestering him, since he lived just across the hall in the same apartment building. He'd moved in right after his divorce. Perhaps he should have checked the neighbors out before doing so.

Pary, AKA PB or Parody, was frequently at John's door, irritating him in one way or another. The fact that his boss, Frank Simon, decided to hire her and make her John's partner was a constant thorn in his side. He once told her PB stood for Pain in the Butt. He'd been joking at the time. It wasn't so funny now. John Smith was a good looking man, with brown eyes and dark brown hair that had a few grays. But since meeting Pary, the little bit of gray he once had seemed to be growing at a disproportionate rate. Then he snorted. It might possibly be worse... if he was still married to his ex.

Chapter 2

When John arrived at work he wondered why Karen, the front office receptionist, was so happy. He passed the room where the field team was working on a new assignment. The mood in that room was a mixed bag. As he passed by Frank's assistant, Missy, she gave him an encouraging smile. Before knocking on Frank's door, John did a mental back walk... Pary hadn't been in the room with the rest of the field team, yet she left before him that morning.

Frank's door flew open and he glared at John. What did you do now? he asked. John looked around to see if Frank was talking to someone else standing nearby, but he was the only person there.

I have no idea what you mean, other than it has to be a mess cooked up by Pary. You know, Frank, we never had these conversations until you hired her. Now I always seem to be in trouble over something that isn't my fault!

You fired her, John! How is that not your fault? Frank asked.

John choked, then he laughed. Under other circumstances, I'd ask what you put in your coffee this morning, but somehow I know this has nothing to do with you... or me, but everything to do with our missing employee. In other words, I didn't fire her, Frank!

Pary's under the impression you did, Frank insisted.

John snorted. She's under a lot of things, sanity not being one of them, I'm sorry to say.

Frank asked, You didn't think it was odd that she hasn't been to work for several days?

I just figured you had her out on a special assignment, or disciplinary action, or that she was sick. It has been nice and peaceful around here. Have you noticed that, Frank?

No, John. Here's what I noticed. He shoved a piece of paper across the desk and John read it, his face turning red.

Unemployment? Unfairly fired? John sputtered. John's face was as red as Frank's. She's claiming I fired her?

Now you understand my question. So what did you do? Frank repeated.

John sighed. How about if we let this one slide, Frank? I'll even give up my paid vacation if we can make her go away.

That's not the issue, John.

A salary cut too? John asked.

Frank shook his head. We can't afford to lose her, John.

Even after the disastrous jobs, the chaos, the expense of cleaning up after her? Not to mention the embarrassing publicity!

Frank grinned at that. I'd say that's your problem, not the company's. What I'm telling you is that someday we are going to need Pary and her... unusual style of doing things.

"I think the word you were struggling with was crazy."

Crazy, unusual, unconventional. We don't have anyone like her, and probably will never find anyone else like her, Frank said, ignoring John's unflattering remarks. Who else found out about Vinnie? No one, John. Not one single person and they've all been here for years. She was onto him right away.

She just got lucky, John scowled.

No, she may have been a little lucky, but she's smart under all that crazy, John. Would you rather work for her or against her? Because I know those DEA guys were mentally assessing her skills, and if word gets out that she's in need of a job who knows where she'll end up?

I'm praying NASA will take her for an experimental space launch, John said acidly. Do you really think another agency is willing to take on a risk like Pary?

We did, and look where it got us, Frank reminded him.

I'm banned from the best restaurant in town, I can't show my face at a few others, the mayor's wife hates me... shall I continue?

We pulled a huge drug bust right out from under the nose of the DEA, we've identified security leaks at several companies who have recommended us to others, and Kevin has forgiven Pary for leaving him at the club that night. Plus, we have a few unexpected allies... Big Ease, Lucifer, and quite a few prominent women who've hired her to catch their spouses cheating.

You can't take credit for the cheating husbands, John reminded Frank. She did that as a PI.

How about her contacts in the pet escort business?

A business she no longer runs, John said with a sigh.

"It's all a