Breaks An Egg: Sedona West Murder Mystery Series, Book 2

By Susanne Marie Knight

A new romantic murder mystery series!

Three book Sedona West Murder Mystery series:
SLEEPS WITH THE FISHES, Book 1
BREAKS AN EGG, Book 2
PUSHES UP DAISES, Book 3

Sedona's dead ex husband keeps putting her at risk. Two million dollars that he stole has gone missing, and the Mob thinks she knows where the money is. But she doesn't... or does she?

JUST WHEN SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS OUT, SHE GETS PULLED BACK IN!

Sedona West wants to move on from the unfortunate murder of her ex husband, however Jervis still has a trick or two up his dead sleeve. He stole two million dollars--now missing--and the Mob thinks she knows where the money is. Her cabin burglarized and shots fired, she turns to the town's hunky sheriff and the swoon-worthy celebrity psychologist for support. She'd rather turn to them for romance, but gangsters and thugs, masquerading as tourists, have other ideas. More than anything she needs to put the past behind her and live a normal life, but not yet. Sampling the "candy store" goodies of Harrison and Doug will have to wait. Right now Sedona is worried about staying alive!

Praise for BREAKS AN EGG:

5 Stars! The second book of the Sedona West Murder Mysteries Series revisits Sedona's ex husband and his missing wallet. Sedona just wants to move forward but unfortunately keeps getting pulled back behind. Familiar characters and some new ones play a part in this delightful story. Susanne Marie Knight's superb writing brings her characters to life and keeps you turning the pages. A really fun series filled with suspense and humor, and also recalls memories of dates that have gone south. I'm on the edge of my seat for the last book in the series: PUSHES UP DAISIES.--Mystery Maven's Reviews

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susanne Marie Knight
• Release date: Mar 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463682364

Susanne Marie Knight

Award-winning author and seven time EPPIE / EPIC eBook Award Finalist Susanne Marie Knight specializes in Romance Writing with a Twist! She is multi-published with books, short stories, and articles in such diverse genres as Regency, science fiction, mystery, paranormal, suspense, time-travel, fantasy, and contemporary romance. Originally from New York, Susanne lives in the Pacific Northwest, by way of Okinawa, Montana, Alabama, and Florida. Along with her husband and the spirit of her feisty Siamese cat, she enjoys the area's beautiful ponderosa pine trees and wide, open spaces--a perfect environment for writing. For more information about Susanne, visit her website at www.susanneknight.com.

Book preview

Chapter One

Sedona West, c’mon! It’s been eight weeks already. You’ve got to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back on the bike again, y’know? Veronica Winger, Cozy Haven’s fitness maven and queen of good times, languidly waved her hand through the oppressive heat beating down on Sedona’s back porch.

Even the slight breeze coming off Lake Cozy didn’t offer relief from the sweltering July temperatures, but the view... the scenic view was to die for.

Sedona took a sip of freshly made iced tea. "For your information, I have dusted myself off and... and I’m raring to go. It’s just that I don’t see the need for a girl-night right now. It’s too soon."

After the last girl-night two months ago, with all that had happened, who could blame her if she never went to another girl-night again?

Besides, she continued, you’re here, Gilly’s here... Sedona nodded at Gilly on the other side of her. But Beth is gone. It wouldn’t be the same without her.

"Oui, our dear Beth has, comment dites-vous, how do you say, given up her single status. Gilly Marché, French literature teacher and Sedona’s best friend, brushed her frazzled coppery colored hair off her face. So hard to believe she is now to be called Mrs. Vanderpinter."

And it happened just last week over the July Fourth holiday. Sedona sighed. She was thrilled for Beth. Ike Vanderpinter seemed like a good man. Fingers crossed he’d make Beth happy. He’d even arranged to move his CPA business from busy Los Angeles to here in the resort town of Cozy Haven. Everyone telecommuted, he’d explained. But from California to Montana? That would be quite a change. Now the newlyweds were away on their honeymoon.

Veronica stomped an impatient foot. Just because one of us bit the dust doesn’t mean the rest of us has to stop having fun. She shrugged. So, lemme tell you, I already invited a substitute for Beth.

Sedona exchanged a glance with Gilly. That doesn’t sound good. And who might this substitute be?

Twirling a strand of honey-hair around her index finger, Veronica whispered, It’s Jacki.

Gilly sucked in a breath, but Sedona let hers out with a howl. Oh no. Hell no. Lock-up-your-men-‘cause-I-take-no-prisoners Jacki? How-many-notches-can-I-fit-on-my-belt Jacki? Is that the Jacki you mean?

Gilly reached over and patted Veronica on the arm. "Mon ami, you know Jacki would not be interested in a girl-only night. It is the male of the species that gives that woman reason for living."

Veronica had the good grace to blush. Well, actually, somehow Jacki, real estate agent extraordinaire that she is, found out three prime beef specimens just checked into the Lakeview Blue Motel. Her words, not mine. Jacki did her darndest to get them to rent a house from her but no go. So she figured if they were invited to a girl-night...

Sedona got to her feet and leaned against the railing to stare out at the lake. A lone seagull swooped down and yanked a flapping fish out of the water.

She watched as the bird flew away with its prize. Life could be so easy, so why was hers so hard?

Instead of a girl-night, Veronica, don’t you mean a murder mystery party?

Sure, Sedona sounded bitter, but honestly, didn’t she have sufficient cause? At the last girl-night get together, also at Veronica’s house, Veronica had invited men... including, to everyone’s surprise, Sedona’s ex husband. When the morning arrived, Jervis Jones was not only missing, he was dead. Sleeping with the fishes.

She shivered.

Perhaps getting together tomorrow night in a group, as you suggest, Veronica, would not be for the best. Gilly joined Sedona at the railing, but faced Veronica instead of the lake. "That last party, as you know, was one that lives on in memory... and not in a good way, comprenez-vous? Do you understand? Voyons, I still have nightmares."

Sedona also turned around in time to see Veronica huff a heavy breath. The hair around her friend’s attractive face did a little dance from the force of the air.

Veronica wouldn’t let sleeping dogs lie. She would protest, that was a given fact.

Gilly put up her hand to forestall any objections. "As it is, mon ami, I do not think our dear cherie here is in need of additional men for her candy shopping. You know, a petite fille, a little girl, sampling the tasty wares in a candy store. Cherie, did I not see salted caramel Harrison Oakdale at your door two weeks ago?"

Veronica giggled at the description, but Sedona sighed with heartfelt regret. She had yet to taste any candy, forbidden or otherwise.

Yes, he was here, she admitted. Here and gone, actually. Something came up with his radio program. An unexpected time slot opened for his Ask Doctor Harrison so he had to rush off to L.A. again to produce more shows. Not a good way to spend a vacation, if you ask me.

She skewered her lips. But maybe that’s for the best. I’m still the newly single girl in the candy shop. Not that I like the analogy.

Veronica jumped up and slapped both of them on the arms. That’s perfect then. C’mon, lemme invite those three new guys. Fresh faces, new candy... who knows? You may like the variety, Sedona. And you, too, Gilly.

All three of them grinned with the ridiculousness of that statement. After all, everyone knew Gilly Marché was a confirmed bachelorette.

Lifting a slender eyebrow, Gilly then batted her long lashes. "What do you say, cherie? Shall we park our buns at Veronica’s cabin tomorrow? Sample a few different flavors? Watch Jacki O’Reilly in action?"

Sedona couldn’t help but laugh. For that reason alone, that sounds like a good idea. We can all get tips on how not to pick up men!

Wonderful! Veronica clapped her hands. I’ll handle everything. You two gals don’t have to do a thing. Tomorrow at six, okay?

Sure thing. Sedona inhaled deeply, then released the breath. I have a student coming over in the afternoon, at four, for a creative writing session but I should be done in plenty of time.

She bowed to the inevitable. Hopefully she wasn’t making a big mistake by agreeing to party tomorrow, but, as Veronica had pointed out, it was way past time Sedona got back up on that metaphorical bike--put her deceased ex husband behind her and re-engage with life.

She smiled. It would be good to have some fun. After all, school was out, the weather was hot and languid... she might as well enjoy her summer vacation.

* * * *

The next day Sedona had a leisurely breakfast, got caught up with emails, bills, housework, and a little light gardening. Time zipped by. When three thirty rolled around, she made a squawk of dismay, and then hurried over to the shower to get ready for her student... and Veronica’s party. She wasn’t looking forward to the latter event, but she’d committed, so that was that.

Choosing a tie-dye tunic and cropped black leggings, she dressed up the casual outfit with red-laced espadrilles and gold-hooped earrings. A bit of blush, a dash of lipstick, a smudge of eyeliner and there, she was done. Good enough for Wally Gibson, her thirteen-year-old student and good enough for whoever was going to show up at Veronica’s cabin.

A knock sounded at four o’clock sharp. She opened the front door to see Wally, wearing a stiffly starched button-down shirt and crisply pressed khaki trousers. His short rusty hair stood straight up, spiked with gel, and his fair complexion was mottled with red.

Ms. West. Hi. I... er... From behind his back he thrust flowers at her. I thought you might like these wildflowers. Picked ‘em myself.

Oh, they’re lovely, Wally. I’ll put them in a vase. Come on in. She turned and went into the kitchen.

He wiped his feet on the mat, then hurried to catch up with her. Pointing to each flower, he said, Here’s some thistle, misty blue limonium, solidago, daisies--

You sure know your flowers, Wally.

Turning ten shades redder, he grinned.

Then she remembered. Sheriff Dugan Marino, Doug to his friends, had mentioned that Wally was his nephew, and that Wally had a crush on her.

Oh. Awkward.

Let’s go outside on the deck, Wally. Have you written any more stories? Science fiction is your favorite, right? I’ve got a great writer’s guide on creating new worlds to show you.

Sedona held open the back door, eager to escape the confines of her cabin. She was twenty years older than this boy but by the look of him, he certainly didn’t mind the age difference--at all. Yikes!

Now outside, she wiped away sudden sweat. Her job now was to get Wally immersed in his creative writing, and not for him to think about s-e-x.

Soon talk of alternate histories, parallel universes, cybernetic people, nanotechnology, to name just a few topics, turned the boy’s mind to what he was really interested in: science fiction worlds.

Some time later she heard a car door slam. She checked her watch. Oh my gosh. Has an hour zipped by already?

Yeah. My Uncle Doug is picking me up. Wally jumped up to his large feet. Ms. West, can I, um, I mean, may I use your restroom?

Sure, Wally. You know where it is. She waved her hand toward the kitchen door and then started gathering the loose papers from the lesson.

Soon Doug would be knocking on the door. Very, very soon. Her heart beat faster.

Standing, she straightened her tunic and brushed back her hair. She hadn’t seen the sheriff in two weeks. And the time before that was a month ago... that night in the hospital when Patrice St. James had passed away.

Poor Patrice.