Saints & Sinners Ball Page 26

  Harper turned to him and smiled. “Thank you. Dan, if it wasn’t for your research, we would have never stopped Paul or even known the real Fr. McNally had been murdered. I don’t know the plan, that’s why I’m coming to all of you. I think it’s something we are going to have to work together when we can to find out what we can. Build a case over time. Be there when Inslee slips up.”

  Granger leveled a look at Harper. “You’re telling me I’ve got an innocent man sitting in jail for a murder he didn’t commit, and I have no way to prove?”

  Harper nodded.

  Granger thought for several moments and then said, “I’m in. The longer Inslee gets away with it, the cockier he will get. He’ll slip eventually. But this is going to take time and teamwork.”

  Jackson reached for Harper’s hand. He squeezed it and she smiled at him. Jackson said sincerely, “You know I’m in.”

  Beatrix and Hattie also agreed to lend support magical or otherwise. Harper went over and hugged her aunt. All of their attention was then turned to the television with the news breaking in and bringing them Matthew Inslee’s press conference from the steps of the courthouse. He promised to fight crime and what he called “moral corruption” in the city.

  Hattie knew there was a target on her back now, especially if Inslee won.

  While everyone had their eyes fixed on the television, Hattie felt a presence. She turned towards the shop door and there was Tucker Reese.

  “I remember, Hattie,” Tucker said, coming close to her. “It was Matthew Inslee. He showed up to the Saints & Sinners Ball wearing a mask that had been given to me by the mayor of New Orleans. He called me over, and we argued about some recent cases. Then out of nowhere, he had a gun. Inslee shot me. Drew is innocent of my murder at least. I need justice.”

  All Hattie could do was mouth, “We know. We will fight for it.”

  “I’m not leaving until we get it,” Tucker said.

  Hattie offered Tucker a sympathetic smile. Together they all watched the last of the press conference.

  As the group began to talk among themselves about the best plan of action, Harper walked back over to her aunt. Harper whispered, “I’m ready to learn whatever you can teach me. I want to tap into all of my powers.”

  This wasn’t how Hattie wanted it all to go, but she saw a window opening, and she was going to take it.

  About the Author

  Stacy M. Jones was born and raised in Troy, New York, and currently lives in Little Rock, Arkansas. She is a full-time writer and holds masters’ degrees in journalism and in forensic psychology. Stacy is an avid reader of the mystery genre. Whether a reader likes their mysteries more hard-boiled or prefers a cozy, Stacy offers two series – the more hard-boiled Riley Sullivan Mystery Series and the cozy Harper & Hattie Magical Mystery Series.

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  The 1922 Club Murder

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  Harper’s Folly

  A mistress, a murder and the mob. All it took was one day to upend Manhattan socialite Harper Ryan’s life. When the FBI asks Harper to dig into her husband’s business dealings, she balks. She’s the editor-in-chief of her family’s magazine, not an investigator. The FBI never said helping was a choice, and Harper knows she’s in deep with few options.

  Harper isn’t sure what to do or even where to start. She turns to her Aunt Hattie, but all she offers is her psychic clarity and witchy charms, and Harper doesn’t believe in all that hocus pocus.

  Harper’s aunt might be her only saving grace though. Hattie needs to convince Harper that she has her own magical powers before the whole family’s legacy goes down the drain - if only Hattie can get the poor girl out of her current predicament first. Get it free at http://www.stacymjones.com/books/