HAROLD ASHMAN’s house is almost destroyed by a careless driver. Exotic dancer, CEECEE LAINE, discovers that her boyfriend is two-timing her, and she no longer has a job. Actor ALEX MANNING learns his career is down the tubes, and 72-year-old, HELEN RYDER, discovers her family is plotting to put her in an old folks home.
Then things take a turn for the worse. When former jurors start dropping like flies, CeeCee, Helen, Harold and Alex are convinced there’s a killer on the loose. Now the feuding foursome must find him before he kills them—or before they save him the trouble by killing each other.
Jury Duty is Murder is available at Amazon.
First Chapter:
They surged en masse through the double glass doors and down the steps of the courthouse. Expressions grim, the jurors stopped to face the dozens of TV cameras and reporters camped in front. To the casual spectator, they presented a united front. The battles that raged behind closed doors and threatened a mistrial appeared to be forgotten. Only the most discerning eye would suspect otherwise.
The prosecutor made an obligatory statement, followed by one of the lawyers for the defense. Cameras whirred dutifully, but the half-hearted questions the reporters asked didn’t fool anyone. They were simply biding time until the real star of the media circus—juror #5—took her place behind the podium. No one else—not the high-priced lawyers, not the other jurors, not even the tearful family members—existed as far as the media were concerned.
Wearing her trade-mark pink “barely there” leather outfit and high-heeled pink boots, juror #5 stood out like a bright beacon in the sea of black suits and dull dresses favored by the other jurors. Dubbed Cotton Candy by the press—CeeCee for short—she strutted red-carpet style to the podium. Her hair circled her head in a pink cloud, falling to her shoulders in springy curls. Eye-popping boobs rose and fell like gentle waves threatening to spill over her low neckline.
Taking her place behind the microphone, she posed for cameras and demurely answered—and in some cases, refused to answer—questions in a throaty voice. Only a handful of jurors agreed to talk to the media following the verdict.
The reporters hammered away at her—rat-a-tat-tat. What was going through her mind during deliberations? What took so long for the jury to settle on a verdict? Which juror was the hold-out?
The jurors had been advised not to give out too many details. The verdict was a result of the evidence—nothing more. CeeCee stuck to the script, albeit in a throaty purr that was better suited to a bedroom than outside a courtroom.
The oldest juror—the bitchy one the other jurors called Schoolmarm—glared at CeeCee with obvious disapproval. Next to her, juror #7—an egocentric actor—tried in vain to push his way in front of the TV cameras and claim his fifteen minutes of fame. The juror known as Shoe tried to pull a Houdini, but no escape route could be found.
But they weren’t the only ones who objected to CeeCee running the show. A few feet away, the man known as Dipstick shuffled his feet, and shot visual arrows at the clamoring crowd.
The way they carried on—the media—you’d think that little Miss “Barely There” came up with the verdict all by her lonesome.
But he knew better.
Growing visibly weary of the questions, CeeCee flicked a strand of hair away from her face and looked straight into a Channel 9 camera. “I’m so glad it’s over,” she purred.
Over. The word was like a bullet exploding in Dipstick’s head. He clenched his fists tight, driving his nails deep into his sweaty flesh.
He watched as she moved away, the crowd following in her wake.
He lifted his hands and stared at the blood slowly pooling in his palms.
I’ve got news for you, little Miss Barely There. It’s not over. Not by a long shot.
About the Author:
Writing as Margaret Brownley, she has published more than 40 novels and is a New York Times bestselling author. Known for her memorable characters and humor, she is a two-time Romance Writers of America Rita finalist.
Not counting the book she wrote in sixth grade, and the puzzle of the missing socks, this is her first mystery.
Website ➜http://margaret-brownley.com/
Twitter ➜https://www.x.com/katejuryduty
Facebook ➜https://www.facebook.com/MargaretBrownleyAuthor/ and https://www.facebook.com/p/Kate-Damon-61565155275435/
Instagram ➜https://www.instagram.com/katedamonbooks
BookBub➜https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kate-damon
Goodreads ➜ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4072660.Kate_Damon and https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/163681.Margaret_Brownley
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