Linda O. Johnston - Lawful Engagement

His body blocked most of the light emanating from the porch behind him, so she stood in shadows. Nevertheless, he noticed the auburn shade of her hair, its soft red hue natural and sexy.

He’d note this characteristic in her profile as a witness. That was his only reason for noticing.

“Okay, I’ll come to the station so you can question me there.”

The lady was full of surprises. “Fine. Make it nine o’clock this morning.”

“Fine.”

“Meantime, I’ll send a tech out here to take your fingerprints for comparison with the crime scene, and then you can leave.”

She stared but said nothing, and he watched as she walked away. She turned once and glanced back at him, and then she was gone.

Mitch realized with surprise that the challenge of Cara Hamilton had whetted his appetite for more.

Right now, nine o’clock seemed very far away.

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

Temperatures are rising this month at Harlequin Intrigue! So whether our mesmerizing men of action are steaming up their love lives or packing heat in high-stakes situations, July’s lineup is guaranteed to sizzle!

Back by popular demand is the newest branch of our Confidential series. Meet the heroes of NEW ORLEANS CONFIDENTIAL—tough undercover operatives who will stop at nothing to rid the streets of a crime ring tied to the most dangerous movers and shakers in town. USA TODAY bestselling author Rebecca York launches the series with Undercover Encounter—a darkly sensual tale about a secret agent who uses every resource at his disposal to get his former flame out alive when she goes deep undercover in the sultry French Quarter.

The highly acclaimed Gayle Wilson returns to the lineup with Sight Unseen. In book three of PHOENIX BROTHERHOOD, it’s a race against time to prevent a powerful terrorist organization from unleashing unspeakable harm. Prepare to become entangled in Velvet Ropes by Patricia Rosemoor—book three in CLUB UNDERCOVER—when a clandestine investigation plunges a couple into danger….

Our sassy inline continuity SHOTGUN SALLYS ends with a bang! You won’t want to miss Lawful Engagement by Linda O. Johnston. In Cassie Miles’s newest Harlequin Intrigue title—Protecting the Innocent—a widow trapped in a labyrinth of evil brings out the Achilles’ heel in a duplicitous man of mystery.

Delores Fossen’s newest thriller is not to be missed. Veiled Intentions arouses searing desires when two bickering cops pose as doting fiancés in their pursuit of a deranged sniper!

Enjoy our explosive lineup this month!

Denise O’Sullivan

Senior Editor, Harlequin Intrigue

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Linda O. Johnston’s first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and won the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the Year. Now, several published short stories and novels later, Linda is recognized for her outstanding work in the romance genre.

A practicing attorney, Linda juggles her busy schedule between mornings of writing briefs, contracts and other legalese, and afternoons of creating memorable tales of the paranormal, time travel, mystery, contemporary and romantic suspense. Armed with an undergraduate degree in journalism with an advertising emphasis from Pennsylvania State University, Linda began her versatile writing career running a small newspaper, then working in advertising and public relations, later obtaining her JD degree from Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh.

Linda belongs to Sisters in Crime and is actively involved with Romance Writers of America, participating in the Los Angeles, Orange County and Western Pennsylvania chapters. She lives near Universal Studios, Hollywood, with her husband, two sons and two Cavalier King Charles spaniels.

Cara Hamilton—Certain that Mustang Valley’s recent rash of crimes are all related, the crusading reporter is just the writer to expose the connection.

Deputy Mitchell Steele—He’s determined to solve Mustang Valley’s latest murder—and to prove his father’s death two years earlier was not a suicide.

Nancy Wilks—Cara’s friend, the office administrator at Lambert & Church, was killed because of something she intended to show to the reporter. What was it…and where is it now?

Donald Church—Does this attorney know something he hasn’t disclosed?

Sheriff Ben Wilson—He became sheriff when Mitch’s father allegedly committed suicide. Is there a reason why he hates Mitch so much?

Deputy Hurley Zeller—A nasty man in uniform who wants to be sheriff.

Roger Rosales—As the local representative for Ranger Corporation, can he explain why the company’s name keeps popping up each time “murder” is mentioned in Mustang Valley?

Beauford Jennings—Cara’s boss, and owner of the Mustang Gazette.

Della Santoro—The community college professor is Cara’s friend and an expert on Shotgun Sally legends.

Kelly McGovern Lansing—This feisty Texan will do whatever it takes to seek justice.

Lindsey Wellington—She promises to help Cara find the truth behind Nancy’s death.

Shotgun Sally—The legendary frontierswoman influences the lives of Kelly, Lindsey and Cara in their quest for the truth!

Many, many thanks to the other Shotgun Sallys authors, Susan Kearney and Ann Voss Peterson, and of course to Allison Lyons, our editor.

Thanks, also, to Fred—for everything.

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

Cara Hamilton’s heart beat a familiar, thunderous tattoo of anticipation deep inside her chest. She parked at the curb, slung her large purse over her shoulder and exited her small yellow Toyota.

It was nearly one o’clock in the morning. Though most residences along Caddo Street were dark, lights blazed in the first-floor apartment of the three-story converted Victorian in front of her. Cara’s friend Nancy Wilks, who lived there, had called half an hour ago. She hadn’t said much, only that she had something important to show Cara.

But Cara sensed that, whatever it was, it could be the key to the biggest story of her life.

That was why she felt the familiar rush of excitement. She was on the trail of something newsworthy. And this time it was something beyond newsworthy. Something that could blow the blasé citizens of Mustang Valley right out of their couch-potato seats. Make her career.