Hide
and Seek
The
McLaren Mysteries Book 12
by
Jo A. Hiestand
Genre:
Mystery
Playing
a mystery game seems the perfect way to celebrate Jamie Kydd’s
promotion to Detective Sergeant rank. But the game turns real when a
body turns up in the pretend crime scene. Perhaps worse than spoiling
the party, the corpse is someone Jamie knows.
Even
though the police take on the case, Jamie asks his friend, former
police detective Michael McLaren, to also investigate—concerned
that the victim’s criminal past may dampen the Constabulary’s
usual fervor to nab his killer. It seems to have been a smart
decision, for the police aren’t expending a lot of energy on the
inquiry.
Suspects
float around McLaren…half truthful, hard to find. More like wraiths
than flesh and blood. If the victim’s burglary partner, ex-wife, or
childhood friend didn’t kill Dan, who did? It’s a desperate game
between McLaren and a killer who’s playing Hide and Seek.
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1.
Jamie knew Yates’ recent record. He’d reviewed it before he left the house, wanting to be prepared no matter which way their conversation would turn. The prior convictions ranged from assault, breach of a restraining order, and handling stolen goods to armed robbery.
He had familiarized himself with Yates’ personal history too: how he’d slid into crime when he was eighteen, how he’d been suspected of murdering his parents and torching the family home, how his mate had provided a water-tight alibi that plopped Yates elsewhere that horrific night. But despite the clean bill of health absolving him of any criminal involvement, Yates had continued to get into trouble.
Jamie also was prepared for seeing Yates Fairley in person. It was a precaution he took seriously, for he didn’t want to miss any advantage he could get for a successful encounter…which also might lead to a successful interview. Through viewing police photos, Jamie had familiarized himself with the man’s looks and expression—the dark hair and eyes, the piercing stare, the exceptional height and muscular physique. No doubt developed to disconcert police officers and intimidate people, Jamie thought as he looked at the figure sitting across from him. But it wasn’t working on him.
2.
The area in back of the pub was illuminated by one light fixture plopped in what looked like an approximate center of the wall. It cast a feeble yellowish tint to the ground immediately beneath it before fading into the night. McLaren could see no one in the immediate area. Cursing, he jogged toward the building’s far corner.
He stopped several feet from the end of the pub. If he angled his torchlight around the corner, he might alert the assailant of the pursuit. If he switched off the light, he might be stepping into a trap.
Thinking it less likely the man would be plastered along the wall, waiting for McLaren to appear, he shone the light onto the ground, several feet ahead of him, and eased around the edge of the building. No one.
No one hid along or near the wall.
Thinking the man had either run onto the main street or doubled back in the darkness to finish off the victim, McLaren retraced his steps.
As he eased around the edge of the building near the car park, an opaque form lunged at him and knocked the mobile from his hand. Darkness enveloped him, and a moment later something slammed into his stomach.
He cringed and grasped his midriff as he doubled over. A kick to his shin brought him to the ground. A second kick smashed into his side.
The last thing he heard was a scuffling sound that faded into the silence.
3.
Michael McLaren held up his wine glass, toasting Jamie. “I wouldn’t miss your celebration, Jamie. Your advancement is well deserved.”
Paula kissed Jamie on the cheek. “It’s long overdue, his promotion. Do you know there are three generations of police sergeants filling his family tree?”
“I believe I’ve heard him moaning that fact through the years, yes.
Jamie nodded. “My colleagues are here. They’re about to play the murder game, so there’s no difference between them and you investigating it, if that’s what concerns you.”
“You think even old cops who’ve been out of the job for two years can figure it out?”
Jamie pulled a face. “Steady on, mate. You’re only thirty-eight. More importantly, I’m only thirty-seven. Anyway, give Paula’s crime scene a try. Need a refill on your drink, by the way?”
McLaren shook his head. “Still have half a glass.”
“You need something to eat with your drink. Have some of the appetizers we made.”
McLaren’s voice grew leery as he glanced from Paula to Jamie. “We? As in Paula and you?”
Jamie grinned and picked up a platter. “Try the caviar puffs. These are my contribution.”
“Should I be wary of them? You’re not exactly a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu.”
Paula laid her hand on top of Jamie’s and forced the plate back onto the table. “Don’t let him fool you, Mike. All he did was open the package of puff shells, set them on a baking sheet, and put them into the oven.” She gave Jamie a sly smile. “But they’re baked perfectly.”
Books,
Girl Scouts and music filled Jo A. Hiestand's childhood. She
discovered the magic of words and the worlds they create: mysteries,
English medieval history, the natural world. She explored the joys of
the outdoors through Girl Scout camping trips and summers as a
canoeing instructor and camp counselor. Brought up on classical, big
band and baroque music, she was groomed as a concert pianist until
forsaking the piano for the harpsichord. She also plays guitar and
has sung in a semi-professional folkgroup in the US and as a soloist
in England.
This
mixture formed the foundation for her writing. A true Anglophile, Jo
wanted to create a mystery series that featured a British police
detective who left the Force over an injustice and now investigates
cold cases on his own. The result is the McLaren Mysteries, featuring
ex-police detective Michael McLaren. Jo's insistence for accuracy --
from police methods and location layout to the general feel of the
area -- has driven her innumerable times to Derbyshire. These
explorations and conferences with police friends provide the detail
filling the books. She also writes the amateur sleuth Linn House
Mysteries under the pen name Jessie McAlan. In 1999 Jo returned to
Webster University to major in English. She graduated in 2001 with a
BA degree and departmental honors.
She
has employed her love of writing, board games and music in other ways
by co-inventing a mystery-solving game, P.I.R.A.T.E.S., which uses
maps, graphics, song lyrics, and other clues to lead the players to
the lost treasure. Jo founded the Greater St. Louis Chapter of
Sisters in Crime, serving as its first president. Besides her love of
mysteries and early music, she also enjoys photography, reading,
baking, and her backyard wildlife.Her cat, Tennyson, shares her St.
Louis home.
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Morning! Thank you for hosting my book today. I appreciate it!
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