Vegas Showgirl Murders - book2 - Bob Moats (important of reading books TXT) 📗

Sample Preview - Five chapters only!

Book 2 of the Jim Richards Murder novels

What people are saying about the Murder Novels by Bob Moats

"Every now and again you stumble upon something wonderful on the internet. Bob Moats' “Classmate Murders” is an excellent blend of Elmore Leonard and Philip Marlowe sensibilities, with an unexpected hero well into his sixties, downsized from his job and forced into an early retirement he can't afford. The character is easy to relate to, the story itself a wonderful suspenseful ride with a cast of interesting characters, and damn if it isn't some great detective writing. If you like your crime novels gritty, with a touch of biker sensibility and a side of arthritis, you'll love Bob Moat's work."
M. Jones, author “314 CRESCENT MANOR”

"I went online this morning and read your book. I thought at first that I would only read a few pages, but got sucked into it and read all 11 chapters. You are a very good writer! I read quite a bit and often pick up "Airport" paperback mysteries to read on a plane. Most of them are dreadful, with obvious plots. Classmate Murders is a much better story than most."
Ray Zink, Entrepreneur, Minn.

"I got up to chapter ten of the Classmate Murders and decided then to buy the next two books." ... "Just finished your third book, the Dominatrix Murders. I thought it was the best one of the three, didn't want to put it down till I finished it. I looked forward to see how Penny would greet (Jim) every day after her show. Keep the books coming can't wait for the next one."
A. Norris, retired Naval Corpsman

"If you like mysteries and action then don't miss reading this book..."
Jan Schneider, avid mystery/crime reader

"I finished the book last night, and really enjoyed it. I can only read a book that fast when it keeps my interest, so that should tell you a lot. I would recommend this book to others. I look forward to reading the next installment of the book."
M. K., retired Chrysler Admin.

"I haven’t finished the book yet, when I enjoy a book, I take my time, but I want to buy the other two books. I compare your writing to a Mickey Spillane novel, and I like your style, very narrative. I’m amazed you don’t have a publisher yet."
Michael Rasah, Professor of History

“Your books have been a joy to read. They keep me interested until the last page is turned. Keep up the good Work!
Bev Scharmann, Rochester Hills, Michigan

"I've had the pleasure of meeting Bob Moats, he is the author of several "murder novels" with the first in the series being "The Classmate Murders". He gave me the opportunity to read "The Classmate Murders" which I found to be totally enjoyable. I must say the author weaves a wicked story plus his humor is a hoot! I shall not go into the plot because I don't want to ruin the read, but the novel will catch your interest within the first few pages. I recommend reading "The Classmate Murders"!
Doug Hardin, Author of "HIDDEN AND IMMINENT DANGERS"

Bob, my brother, Bill, sent seven of your Jim Richard's novels for me to read. I loved them. They were interesting and fast moving. You did good and I hope you write some more of them. I gave the books to my daughter and now she says she is hooked! I enjoy your books and I want to see more of them. You have a talent for writing novels the way I think they should be written. Regards,"
Fred Scharmann, Avon, OH

Murder novels aren't my usual fare but this sweet, suspenseful and often humorous series draws you in and keeps you guessing to the end. I've read all eight (some of them twice) and hope to see more coming soon. I recommend following Jim Richards adventures but take care, murder seems to follow him!
Tia L Brink, Binghamton, New York

------------------------

This is a work of pure fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Vegas Showgirl Murders by Bob Moats

Copyright © 2009-2010 by Bob Moats.
Cover design by Bob Moats

All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

For information and address:
Magic 1 Productions
P.O. Box 524,
Fraser MI 48026-0524

Website:
http://murdernovels.com
A Magic 1 Productions Book / published by arrangement with the author


---------------------

Dedicated to any person who loves good crime novels and characters, especially those characters like Spenser, Jesse Stone, Sunny Randall, Women's Crime Club, Travis McGee, Alex Cross, Harry Dresden, Eve Dallas, The Camel Club, Harry Bosch, etc...


My Thanks to...

• George “Buck” Carver, for being the inspiration for the character of Buck, and for his generous support.

• Jan Kimball, for editing all my punctuation and grammar errors.

• Ray Zink, for his motivating me.

• Anyone else who read and endured my early drafts of the book

--------------------

"Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia"
E.L. Doctorow

"It's never too late to take a chance, it's never too late to change your life."
Last Chance Harvey

"Fiction is the combination of I remember and let's pretend."
Berlie Doherty

So, let's pretend. Thanks, Bob Moats.

---------------------


Vegas Showgirl Murders
by Bob Moats

Chapter One


It took about a month for Penny to finally get past the terror of the classmate murders, she hurt deeply. The evil half-siblings, Waters and Morgan, were both dead and gone, along with Alice Stone. I stayed by Penny everyday, nursing her back to normalcy. Buck would visit us at her home a couple times a week, to see how she was doing, talking to her about everything else, distracting from the original subject. Deacon wanted to come by, but was still recovering from numerous surgeries to replace his hip and joints, and would be in therapy for a while. Penny and I did visit Deacon as often as his schedule allowed, since Penny owed her life to him as much as the rest of us. After we would visit Deacon, Penny would get a little depressed, seeing Deacon in such a way. I would remind her he was a cop, they can get hurt in any number of ways and they accept it. It helped a little, but she needed to heal.

I finally convinced Penny to go back to the studio and do her show again. It was time for her to get back into the good life she had before the bad. It would also help to take her mind off of things best let go.

The first day we rolled into the studio she was nervous, but her groupies were there to make her beautiful, the crew welcomed her back with a big cake and the audience love was there. Her faithful viewers wrote in supporting letters, after hearing of her ordeal, and her biker fan club came to her first show and cheered her on. Luther gave her a big bouquet of flowers from the gang; Penny broke down on camera and cried. She was going to be all right.

When the story broke about the murders to the news wires and networks, we had received contact from a few production companies, who felt it might make a good cable movie. Buck wanted Hulk Hogan to play him. Penny just thought we were all nuts, but added she'd like to see Jaclyn Smith play her part. I wanted to play myself, everyone just laughed.

My mother was reading the story I was starting to write, about the murders. I decided to make a book out of it, so I sat down and started banging it out on my laptop, while it was fresh. She was glad I didn't tell her about the killers when it was happening. My brother had agreed to take over my duties at our parent's house, and I sort of moved in with Penny. Sort of, meaning it wasn't a permanent move, yet, because Penny and I wanted to take it slow. I was there to take care of her at first, and then it just felt comfortable.

Newly promoted from homicide Sergeant to Lieutenant, Trapper also helped me to enroll in a course at the local community college towards getting a P.I. license. I just had to do it. He gave me his blessing, and also helped get me a CCW permit. He and I spent a good number of days in the shooting range, at his precinct, and he had to admit I was a good shooter. I couldn't carry a gun yet, till I had finished the course, which were his conditions. Penny thought I was living out some adolescent fantasy, a hero worship for Magnum, P.I. sort of thing. I just wanted this before I died of old age. Which I felt I was getting closer to everyday.

One afternoon Penny came home all excited. She told me that there was interest in putting her show into syndication nation wide. Her studio had been working towards it, since she was now known across the country for the ordeal we went through, and they had reserved a booth at the big NABP convention in Las Vegas. I had lived in Las Vegas for about sixteen months back in 2003, and I knew a bit about the NABP, National Association of Broadcast Programming, conventions. Stations across the country go to promote their shows to the networks, and the networks try to promote their shows, and to sign up stations to become affiliates. That was a simplification, because it is more than just broadcasting, the NABP Show is attended by leading media, entertainment and communications professionals to share an interest for the next generation of video and audio, from television, radios and computers to phones, the big screen and beyond. A real potpourri of what we see and hear in our daily lives, and the effect on us.

Penny said they were sending her, and me, out to Vegas, all expenses paid to work and promote her show. She said I was going along to protect her from harm. She laughed, I was offended. We had about four months to get her ready for the big event, and it would give me time to finish my course. She said that she would start to get more important guests on her show now, to add some flair to promote it. In the past she would occasionally book big name stars when they came into Detroit, but now the stars wanted to get on her show to meet Penny. I hoped all the hoopla over the classmate murders didn't die out before we went to Vegas, stories come and go, and are soon forgotten.

Buck was now starting to bring Deacon with him on his weekly visits to Penny and me. Deacon was finally released from the hospital, but still doing therapy for his hip, and had a cane to walk with