#WeWriWa - The Case of the Fabulous Fiancé: Vet Your Fiancé?

 Welcome to the Weekend Writing Warriors 

I'm sharing a snippet from the 2nd Alex O'Hara mystery novel, The Case of the Fabulous Fiancé. Alex is a P.I. in the small Lake Michigan resort town near Grand Rapids. This continues from last week. Some changes were made to the original.

Snippet:   

A flush of embarrassment flashed across her fine features. “Oh.” She recovered quickly but didn’t rise. “Maura Finley.”

Without further ado, I retreated behind my desk to Pop’s only splurge, a high-back, leather office chair. On days when I worked late, I appreciated the comfort. The Pops—mine and Nick’s—were the original O’Hara and Palzetti. Before they retired to Arizona, they’d sold the business to me, the only offspring who wanted it.

Before leaving work at night, I always left a pad of paper and a pen on top of my desk, just in case someone came early. First time it had been necessary. I picked up the pen before looking at Maura Finley. Even though I was in the middle of a major case and had another one waiting, I never turned down a prospective client. At least, not right away. I’d hear her out and then decide.

 For the rest of the scene:  

“What can I do for you?”

Her expression completely changed. The high-powered exec disappeared. In its place, caution and . . . vulnerability. “Ellen VanderVeen said I could trust you.”

I smiled. Ellen and I had been friends since college. The girl who had more fashion sense in her baby finger than I did in my entire body.

“Yes, I know Ellen.”

“She said you helped her investigate her fiancé.” When I nodded, she hesitated and appeared to rethink what she was doing in a private investigator’s office. Just as fast, she came to a conclusion. “I’d like you to do the same.”

“You want me to vet your fiancé?”

“He’s not my fiancé. Yet.”

When she didn’t explain any further, I asked, “Why? Do you suspect something?”

“No. Oh, goodness, no.” She pursed her lips before continuing. “My father left me a prosperous financial firm plus a sizeable inheritance. I am not saying that to brag but to explain my concerns. In my younger days, I was, uhm, taken advantage of. I need to be sure this man truly loves me—me, not my money.”

 Blurb:

She’s at it again. Alex O’Hara just can’t say no to a new investigation. What do a 45-year-old boyfriend, a deadbeat dad, and a teenage runaway have in common? All new cases. With no receptionist, phone and internet problems, and her own boyfriend in the wind, Alex has no idea how she’ll manage. But the question for the past three months is why did Nick disappear. Is this the end of O’Hara & Palzetti? 

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors. Stay safe and have a great week!