B.J. Daniels - Hotshot P.i.

For the second time in her life Clancy Jones had awakened at a murder scene—this time with the murder weapon in her hand. To the untrained eye, she looked mighty guilty. But to private investigator Jake Hawkins, she still looked good.

Desire for Clancy had always burned inside Jake; so had anger. Ten years ago Clancy sleepwalked onto another crime scene and her testimony had put Jake's father behind bars. Now Jake didn't know if he wanted to prove his seductive client's innocence—or guilt.

Previously published.

Hotshot P. I.

B. J. Daniels

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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“Do you realize the position you’ve put me in?”

“It’s not bad enough that you jump bail and I cover for you. Now I’m withholding evidence from the police.” The fact that Clancy hadn’t asked him to protect her, that he’d done it all on his own, only made it worse. “I just compromised myself and my career, put my P.I. license on the line for you,” Jake told her, laying it on a little strong.

“Let’s not forget why you’re really here.” She glared at him. “To get the goods on me, isn’t that what you said?”

She looked ashen. Shaken. Scared. Not at all like a criminal.

Before he could consider how stupid it was, he pulled Clancy into his arms. She resisted at first, but slowly he felt her soften in his embrace. He tried to focus on the case, not on the wonderfully feminine feel of the woman he held.

Jake growled at himself in disgust. He wanted to kiss her, protect and shelter her. But he couldn’t let anything get in the way of the truth. Not even Clancy.

They’re rugged, they’re strong and they’re wanted! Whether sheriff, undercover cop or officer of the court, these men are trained to keep the peace, to uphold the law. But what happens when they meet the one woman who gets to know the man behind the badge?

Twelve of these men are on the loose…and only Harlequin Intrigue brings them to you—one per month, in the LAWMAN series. This month, meet hotshot P.I. Jake Hawkins as he takes on a most challenging client—a sleepwalker!

Author B.J. Daniels knows firsthand about sleepwalking—she’s gone on those nocturnal excursions since childhood. And B.J.’s set this story in her home state of Montana, at one of her favorite lakes. Readers may contact B.J. at P.O. Box 183, Bozeman, Montana 59771.

Be sure you don’t miss a single LAWMAN…because there’s nothing sexier than the strong arms of the law!

Regards,

Debra Matteucci

Senior Editor & Editorial Coordinator Harlequin Books

300 East 42nd Street

New York, NY 10017

To the man I share my life, my love and my dreams with:

Clancy Jones—She’d sleepwalked into murder and now Jake Hawkins was in more than her dreams. Had he been hired to save her? Or see that she went to prison?

Jake Hawkins—The private investigator had come home for only one reason—to settle an old score. Not to fall in love with Clancy again.

Dex Westfall—He followed Clancy to Hawk Island, vowing to get what he deserved. But did he deserve to die?

Warren Hawkins—Was he doing time for a crime he didn’t commit?

Kiki Talbott Conner—She’d stoop to anything—even blackmail—to clear the Talbott name. But was that all she was after?

Tadd Farnsworth—Did the lawyer take the case only for the money and the publicity? Or did he have his own interests at heart?

Lola Strickland—The woman had left a trail of men—including a mystery lover—who might have wanted her dead. Johnny Branson—The retired sheriff warned Jake and Clancy not to dig in the old murder case.

Helen Branson—Because of her health, she didn’t get out much. But if anyone knew what was going on on Hawk Island, she did.

Frank Ames—He’d gone from dock boy to resort owner almost overnight. Was it just good luck? Or bad luck for someone else?

Cover

Back Cover Text For the second time in her life Clancy Jones had awakened at a murder scene—this time with the murder weapon in her hand. To the untrained eye, she looked mighty guilty. But to private investigator Jake Hawkins, she still looked good. Desire for Clancy had always burned inside Jake; so had anger. Ten years ago Clancy sleepwalked onto another crime scene and her testimony had put Jake's father behind bars. Now Jake didn't know if he wanted to prove his seductive client's innocence—or guilt. Previously published.

Title Page Hotshot P. I. B. J. Daniels www.millsandboon.co.uk

Introduction “Do you realize the position you’ve put me in?” “It’s not bad enough that you jump bail and I cover for you. Now I’m withholding evidence from the police.” The fact that Clancy hadn’t asked him to protect her, that he’d done it all on his own, only made it worse. “I just compromised myself and my career, put my P.I. license on the line for you,” Jake told her, laying it on a little strong. “Let’s not forget why you’re really here.” She glared at him. “To get the goods on me, isn’t that what you said?” She looked ashen. Shaken. Scared. Not at all like a criminal. Before he could consider how stupid it was, he pulled Clancy into his arms. She resisted at first, but slowly he felt her soften in his embrace. He tried to focus on the case, not on the wonderfully feminine feel of the woman he held. Jake growled at himself in disgust. He wanted to kiss her, protect and shelter her. But he couldn’t let anything get in the way of the truth. Not even Clancy.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Dedication Cast of Characters Prologue Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Epilogue Extract Copyright , They’re rugged, they’re strong and they’re wanted! Whether sheriff, undercover cop or officer of the court, these men are trained to keep the peace, to uphold the law. But what happens when they meet the one woman who gets to know the man behind the badge? Twelve of these men are on the loose…and only Harlequin Intrigue brings them to you—one per month, in the LAWMAN series. This month, meet hotshot P.I. Jake Hawkins as he takes on a most challenging client—a sleepwalker! Author B.J. Daniels knows firsthand about sleepwalking—she’s gone on those nocturnal excursions since childhood. And B.J.’s set this story in her home state of Montana, at one of her favorite lakes. Readers may contact B.J. at P.O. Box 183, Bozeman, Montana 59771. Be sure you don’t miss a single LAWMAN…because there’s nothing sexier than the strong arms of the law! Regards, Debra Matteucci Senior Editor & Editorial Coordinator Harlequin Books 300 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10017