D.b. Hayes, Detective

D.b. Hayes, Detective
Dani Sinclair

RISKY BUSINESSSo what if my two biggest clients were a known mobster and a ten-year-old kid looking for his cat–business was business. Until Brandon Kirkpatrick walked into my life and made business murder.The sexy detective was officially my competition, but when our cases crossed paths both our lives were suddenly dangerously in the red. Murder and mayhem were multiplying faster than the stray cats in my apartment. Working together was going to drive me to distraction, but it was the only way to figure out which one of our clients was telling the truth…and how far the other client would go to cover it up.

“I’m a private investigator, pal. People pay me for information.”

He reached in his hip pocket and produced a leather wallet. Taking some bills from inside, he laid them on the desk and stared at me with a questioning lift of his brows.

“You don’t have enough money. Get out of here.”

He reached into his wallet once more. This time he handed me a small white business card.

“You’re Brandon Kirkpatrick?”

“You weren’t what I expected, either,” he admitted. “I assumed D.B. Hayes was a man. What does the D.B. stand for anyhow?”

“Dangerous when bothered.” I was still angry.

He grinned. The man was gorgeous even when he was angry, but when he smiled he was downright lethal.

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

It might be warm outside, but our June lineup will thrill and chill you!

* This month, we have a couple of great miniseries. Man of Her Dreams is the spine-tingling conclusion to Debra Webb’s trilogy THE ENFORCERS. And there are just two installments left in B.J. Daniels’s McCALLS’ MONTANA series—High-Caliber Cowboy is out now, and Shotgun Surrender will be available next month.

* We also have two fantastic special promotions. First, is our Gothic ECLIPSE title, Mystique, by Charlotte Douglas. And Dani Sinclair brings you D.B. Hayes, Detective, the second installment in our LIPSTICK LTD. promotion featuring sexy sleuths.

* Last, but definitely not least, is Jessica Andersen’s The Sheriff’s Daughter. Sparks fly between a medical investigator and a vet in this exciting medical thriller.

* Also, keep your eyes peeled for Joanna Wayne’s THE GENTLEMAN’S CLUB, available from Signature Spotlight.

This month, and every month, we promise to deliver six of the best romantic suspense titles around. Don’t miss a single one!

Sincerely,

Denise O’Sullivan

Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

D.B. Hayes, Detective

Dani Sinclair

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

For all the caring volunteers who work with strays

and abandoned and abused animals every day.

You understand that the world is a richer place

when we open our hearts and our lives to

these intelligent beings covered in fur.

And to Roger, Chip, Dan and Barb, as always.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

An avid reader, Dani Sinclair didn’t discover romance novels until her mother lent her one when she’d come for a visit. Dani’s been hooked on the genre ever since. But she didn’t take up writing seriously until her two sons were grown. With the premiere of Mystery Baby for Harlequin Intrigue in 1996, Dani’s kept her computer busy ever since. Her third novel, Better Watch Out, was a RITA

Award finalist in 1998. Dani lives outside Washington, D.C., a place she’s found to be a great source for both intrigue and humor!

CAST OF CHARACTERS

D.B. Hayes—At age twenty-four, Diana Barbara “Dee” Hayes has a lot to prove as a woman and as a private investigator. She hopes not to get killed in the process….

Brandon Kirkpatrick—The former-cop-turned-investigator has a knack for getting into Dee’s business…and under her skin.

Hogan Delvecchi—He looks like a boulder and is known to do all Albert Russo’s dirty work. How dirty is he willing to get?

Lacy Dunning and Trudy Hoffsteader—Dee’s aunt and her business partner have owned and operated Flower World ever since Dee can remember. Luckily they’re willing to share their space with Dee’s detective agency.

Brenda Keene—Dee’s father’s next-door neighbor insists that Dee find her mysterious stalker.

Mickey—The desperate ten-year-old comes in to hire D.B. Hayes—to find Mr. Sam, a geriatric cat….

Mr. Sam—The cat eludes D. B., but his look-alikes are taking over her apartment!

Albert Russo—The business entrepreneur and possible mobster is willing to give Dee her first big case, but does he have ulterior motives?

Elaine Russo—Is she simply tired of being a trophy wife, or is she playing a far more deadly game?

Nicole Wickley—The actress bears a striking resemblance to Elaine Russo—so striking there’s some question as to whether they’re really the same person.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five