The Tiger's Tale, Sample Excerpt: Undercover Cat Mysteries, #3

By Kelle Z Riley

Is she hitting her stride? Or going nowhere fast?

 

Fresh from a successful undercover operation, scientist/spy-in-training Bree Watson should feel on top of the world. Instead, the ground is shifting under her feet. When her handler abandons her to follow a lead with his sexy ex-partner, Bree must choose between a normal life, or proving her worth as a spy. Not an easy choice, when she factors in:

• A police detective's amorous intentions
• Her handler's mixed signals
• A teaching post at a university filled with intrigue
• A dead administrator with a sordid past
• A timid tiger and her tenacious trainer—both being framed for murder

Combined with fanatic football fans, beatnik poets, an orphaned monkey, a demanding boss, quirky colleagues, and her angry cat, the result may be a recipe for disaster.

 

Can she take the heat? Or will she get burned?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelle Z Riley
• Release date: Jan 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393265924

Kelle Z Riley

Kelle Z. Riley, writer, speaker, global traveler, Ph.D. chemist, and safety/martial arts expert has been featured in public forums that range from local Newspapers to National television. In addition to her works of fiction, a personal story was included in "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Living with Alzheimer's and Other Dementias." Her fiction publications include cozy mysteries and contemporary romance. In the Undercover Cat Mysteries a cupcake baking scientist turns sleuth—an much more. The Cupcake Caper, Shaken, Not Purred, The Tiger's Tale, and Studying Scarlett the Grey, as well as free short stories set in the Undercover Cat world are available on Amazon or wherever books are sold. In the Riches and Royals series, modern career women fall for princes-in-disguise, only to discover that “happily ever after” isn’t guaranteed. Can love turn their cautionary tale into a glittering fairy tale, or will their hearts shatter like glass slippers? A former Golden Heart Finalist, Kelle resides in Chattanooga, TN. She is the past program chair and popular speaker for the Chattanooga Writer's Guild, a member of Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers’ of America and various local chapters. When not writing, she can be found pursuing passions such as being a self defense instructor, a Master Gardener, and a full time chemist with numerous professional publications and U.S. patents. Kelle can be reached at www.facebook.com/kellezriley; www.twitter.com/kellezriley; and www.kellezriley.net

Book preview

Chapter 1

Six months ago, Bree had been a confirmed dog person. Until she'd inherited a cat from her murdered boss. Now she held a tiger by the tail. Or rather, by a leash. But when it came to tigers the difference was just splitting hairs.

This way, shouted the tour guide, his thick Australian accent a sharp contrast to the murmurings of the local Thai tiger trainers. And stay with your tigers.

Bree was fairly certain he didn't mean for her to follow the energetic tiger cub over the dusty, rock-strewn flatlands to her right. But it tugged on the leash, intent on exploring, so she followed. Sweat trickled down her back as she scrambled over the barren, dusty terrain of the Thailand Tiger Sanctuary. Her foot caught on a rock and she stumbled when the wayward cub pulled her forward.

A strong male hand grabbed the leash and jerked the tiger back onto the path. Bree suppressed a shiver of awareness and turned to Matthew Tugood, both grateful for—and irritated by—his presence.

Tell me again why we’re here, he grumbled.

My sorority is donating a rescued tiger cub to Terrance University for their exotic animal vet clinic.

I know that part. I cut through the red tape to make it happen, remember? He slowed his pace, widening the gap between them and the rest of the tour group. But why are we spending the day in a tourist trap?

I wanted to meet the cub’s trainer and get first-hand experience.

Matthew answered with a dissatisfied grunt. His mouth firmed into a tight line as he scanned the horizon, squinting against the bright sunlight. You’re wasting time you could spend preparing for your assignment. His voice dropped low and he kept his eyes trained on the horizon. After a slow pivot, he leaned close, his breath warm on her ear despite his harsh tone. Or have you forgotten about your mission?

Bree disentangled the leash from his hands. I liked you better before I knew you were a spy.

No, you liked my cover story. His voice softened, and he glanced her way. That’s not the same thing. Despite the ninety-degree heat, a shiver chased down Bree’s spine, as if he’d touched her rather than just looking at her.

What I don’t like is that you never stop thinking about your mission. Not for a minute. Look around you, Matthew. She gestured to landscape, the tourists, the tigers. "We’re exploring a new culture. Bottle feeding tiger cubs. Having adventures. Living. And you’re missing