Murder at the Wizard-Hero Con Read online

  “She does like to call the shots, doesn’t she?” Stan chided his ex-wife gently.

  “Do you want your present or not?” Georgie handed the bag to Stan. He reached inside and pulled out a T-shirt with the picture of Serpentius on it.

  “This is cool,” he said. “I know this is your painting. Everyone was talking about it. Even Mosey and the guys were wrapped up in it. Thank you.”

  “Wear it to work, and make sure Maggie knows it’s my design,” Georgie said with a smirk. “More tea?”

  “I’d love some,” Stan said. “Aleta, you want me to run a background check on this Phil guy?”

  “That’s a good idea, Stan. Do it,” Georgie answered.

  “Don’t listen to her. She’s got issues of her own,” Aleta said and laughed. “Hey, Georgie. Who should play Stan in the movie about us?”

  “Marty Feldman. If he were still alive.”

  THE END

  Letter from the Author

  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR purchasing this early-release book made available exclusively to my readers group, Sandi’s Sleuths, before the book was made available on any other retailers.

  You are probably already subscribed to my group, but if you ended up here and are not subscribed, head over to my website and join us. That way you will be the first to hear about other exclusive opportunities like this one.

  www.SandiScottBooks.com.

  I love to stay in touch with readers and periodically give out free books, advanced copies, and other fun stuff.

  Email me at [email protected]

  Stay cozy,

  Sandi

  About the Book Cover

  I am so grateful to my readers every day for reading my books, making it possible to keep writing. As a gesture of appreciation (and because it is really, really fun) – I feature a reader’s pet on the cover of each book in this series!

  For each book, I host a contest where you can enter your fur baby to be the next cover model. I love seeing all your fur babies and reading their stories. The prizes of winning the contest are digital images of any artwork done of the winning pet, a free paperback copy of the book, and the opportunity to write the dedication to the book.

  I am so grateful to my readers every day for reading my books, making it possible to keep writing. As a gesture of appreciation (and because it is really, really fun) – I feature a reader’s pet on the cover of each book in this series!

  For each book, I host a contest where you can enter your fur baby to be the next cover model. I love seeing all your fur babies and reading their stories. The prizes of winning the contest are digital images of any artwork done of the winning pet, a free paperback copy of the book, and the opportunity to write the dedication to the book.

  This month’s cover model is Mars – a brave Frenchie!

  HERE’S WHAT RENE HAD to say about him.

  Mars was a protector, as each of his names mean protector. He was my daughter’s dog but he and I bonded first as she was filling out paperwork with the breeder. He was a French Bulldog aka Frenchie. He learned what ‘go potty’ meant in the shaded grass in the parking lot after I gave him water.

  I let her hold him as I drove to PetSmart then I carried him the hour and a half we were in the store. He started out on my shoulder, went to sleep and sort of slid down to the crook of my arm while we walk through the store. People going aww and petting him did not disturb him in the least. I got him his first stuffed toy Hedgehog, the only stuffed toy he never demolished, which slept with him.

  He happily “helped” his mom and new dad tear out the carpet and linoleum the living room and kitchen. He had tile grout all over him each day when they finished working a section tile and very reluctantly submitted to a bath every night rather than once a week (just like a boy).

  This is not cute but defines him – Mars would stand between my daughter and the front door when the doorbell rang. He never moved but would make a low growl if he did not like who was there. 100% of the time he was right... most were scam sales men who left quickly at the growl but one tried to shove open the door and Mars attacked and drew blood that dripped on the walk as he ran. The police used the blood to confirm the person later that day as a rapist going around different neighborhoods. Bad people must smell different from good I suppose. (I had a poodle who did that too). Mars got first approval when my daughter started dating her now husband. (He growled at the door before it was opened if it was her ex on the other side. Brilliant Boy!)

  Mars always slept with me on top of the sheet (his back to mine at my shoulder) when I visited them or they visited me or I babysit. Mars had two younger ‘brothers’ Thor and Ares. (I named them protector names as well). He potty trained them and they learned to be protectors too. They also slept with me one at my waist and the other at my feet. Mars loved to sit on my lap or beside me in the recliner or on the sofa. We believed he thought he was people too, only with four legs. He knew he was really bad when he got all three of his names said. Just like the kids but much less often LOL.

  Mars, and his brothers, intensely disliked squirrels and got his exercise making them run back up the trees if they dared to touch the yard or got within jumping distance. We used to laugh at his and the boys’ antics wondering what one would do if they caught one. He loved to sniff flowers and play in the kiddy pool when it was really hot and bask in the sun. He loved to go to the dog park and play with his brothers and with the other dogs and walk in the wooded part sniffing flowers.

  Mars developed a brain tumor (not uncommon in Frenchie’s) when he was 6. Medication let him be his normal self for most of a year. He had to be put to sleep on September 2017. My daughter and son-in-law had a paw print made when he was well and took lots of pictures. They gave me a remembrance frame with the paw print on one side and picture on the other along with 14 other pictures I did not have.

  I am soaked with tears as I write this. I bred, raised, and trained champion poodles for 8 years and had dogs most of my life and none have affected me as much as Mars.

  PREVIEW: Murder off Broadway

  The following is a preview of Murder off Broadway by Sandi Scott, part of the Pet Portraits Cozy Mystery series.

  Chapter 1

  “Georgie, I really don’t think you should have a drink on the plane.” Aleta Kaye said as she watched her twin sister add on another layer of bright red lipstick.

  “Why? It’s after five o’clock. We are going to New York City. The Big Apple, Aleta.” Georgie said as she checked her face in a tiny hand-held mirror. “One of the greatest fashion and art cities in the world.”

  “What does that have to do with having a cocktail?” Aleta asked.

  “We aren’t just Aleta and Georgie Kaye, tourists from Chicago. We are Aleta Kaye, financial advisor to the power brokers of the Windy City and Georgie Kaye, visual artist.” She batted her eyes at Aleta. “And as such we are vacationing away from it all, getting a little us time in a place where we can just blend in and not be hounded by the demands of our clients.” Georgie adjusted her flatcap and then her blouse.

  “Again, why have a cocktail?”

  “Because we usually don’t, Aleta. We aren’t us. We’ve turned into us 2.0. And we are travelling first class. You can’t not have a drink in first class. It’s like viewing the Venus De Milo with arms. It’s just unnatural.” Georgie smiled and pressed the button for the stewardess. Within seconds a cheery looking lady with lots of make-up and a red and blue scarf around her neck appeared.

  “Can I help you?” She asked the Kaye sisters cheerfully.

  “Yes, Melissa.” George said, noticing the stewardess’ nametag. “We’d like two champagne cocktails if it isn’t too much trouble.” Georgie busily adjusted her hat once more.

  “Absolutely. Would you like anything else?” Melissa sounded like making sure the twins’ every need was filled was something she wanted to do all day.

  “What do you have by way of desserts?” Georgie asked.

  “We have sea
salt and caramel ribbon ice cream. We have...”

  “Sold.” Georgie said immediately. “Two please.” She held up two fingers topped by perfectly manicured red nails.

  “That is a dinner of champions if I ever heard one.” Melissa chuckled. “I’ll be right back.”

  “See. Nothing weird. No alarms went off. No one is staring at us.” George snuggled into her seat. It was just a matter of minutes before Melissa returned with a tray holding two champagne cocktails that glistened gold with thin streams of bubbles floating to the top and two 3.5 oz. individual cartons of ice cream.

  By the time they finished their ice cream and champagne the Kaye sisters were eagerly counting down the miles until they landed. Georgie took out her sketchbook and began working on a few rough drafts of a Husky that she would be painting when she returned home. Aleta took out her book of sights to see in New York.

  “Now, we have to see the Statue of Liberty.” Aleta mumbled.

  “Yes.”

  “And, of course, pay our respects at Ground Zero.”

  “Of course.” Georgie nodded as she continued to draw.

  “But those are the only two things that I had on my bucket list. I hear that New York City’s China Town is something to see and apparently it goes on for miles.” Aleta said more to herself than to Georgie.

  “That might be fun. They always have the most beautifully patterned clothes in really bright colors. Oh, yes. I think I need a kimono.” Georgie said as if she was demanding to be seen by a doctor.

  “Don’t you already have one?”

  “Yes but not one from New York. The one I have is from Chicago’s China Town.”

  “Right. I’m sure there’s a difference in there somewhere. Will you be picking anything up for Stan?” Aleta asked, looking over at her sister and innocently batting her eyelashes.

  “Why did you have to say his name? We are on vacation.” Georgie grumbled. “I; managed the entire trip through the airport, through the boarding gate and up to this very moment without thinking of him and then you go ahead and drop him right in front of me again. What’s wrong with you?”

  “I’ve just noticed that he’s paying a little more extra attention to you lately.” Aleta patted her sister’s hand. “And I’ve noticed that you aren’t shunning him like you used to. It’s just an observation. That’s all.”

  “Look, after Stan’s crazy ex-girlfriend tried stalking and threatening me, I think the least he could do is make an extra effort to smooth things over.” Georgie discovered a tiny bit of ice cream remaining on her spoon and carefully licked it off, deliberately not looking at Aleta.

  “Maggie Hoffentop.” Aleta mused. “What a loon. And just think. You used to be considered Stan’s crazy ex-wife.” Aleta teased. “But seriously. You’d think someone who works for the Chicago Police Department would have a little more sense than to behave that way to another officer’s ex-wife.”

  “Maggie is one of those women who thinks a divorce means the couple hate one another.” Georgie shifted in her seat.

  “Right. And you don’t hate Stan.”

  “Of course not. He’s the father of my children.” Georgie replied.

  “And?”

  “And he’s handy around the house.”

  “And?”

  “And what, Aleta? What are you fishing for?”

  “And you still love him.” Aleta folded her arms across her chest and smirked. “You can’t fool me Georgie Kaye. Detective Stan Toon is the only man for you and finally, finally, time is healing that old wound.”

  “I don’t know about that.” Georgie refused to budge. Stan leaving her to chase after fortune and glory in the California mountains while she raised their three children was still a sore spot. It wasn’t the gaping open wound it had been, and as much as she hated to admit it, she was softening up a bit. But the thought of letting him back into her life on a full-time basis was overwhelming to say the least.

  “You can’t tell me you didn’t see the look on his face when you told him we were going to New York City for the week.” Aleta asked.

  “All I saw was how happy he was to have Bodhi for the week. He’s going to take that dog to work with him, I just know it.” Georgie shook her head.

  “Right. You didn’t see the worry on his face? You didn’t hear all the instructions he had about staying safe?”

  “I heard him talking to me like I was a child.” Georgie rolled her eyes.

  “You are impossible.” Aleta patted her sister’s hand. “But you can’t fool me. You might have him believing you’ll never forgive him, but we’re twins. Do you really think I don’t know what’s going on in that pretty head of yours? You’re softening up. And you should. Stan was a good man when you married him, and he still is one. Plus, he’s the only guy who can get your cheeks to light up like they are now.”

  “Oh posh!” Georgie waved Aleta away, unable to hide her smile. “I’m not listening to you anymore. I’m going to get focused.” She gulped down the last of her champagne cocktail.

  “Focused?”

  “I don’t know about you, but when I step off this plane I’m going to be ready for anything. This is going to be the vacation to top all vacations.” Georgie squared her shoulders and adjusted her blouse again.

  “Saints preserve us.” Aleta replied.

  IT WAS ALMOST NINE in the evening at LaGuardia Airport when Georgie and Aleta’s plane landed. By the time they grabbed their luggage from the lonely baggage claim, hailed a cab, rode to the heart of New York City and checked into The Brass Hotel the city was just coming to life.

  Unlike many of the older hotels considered landmarks and regular spots where the elite and famous rest their heads, the Brass Hotel was a new building offering cheaper rates for their grand opening.

  “If the rooms are anything like the lobby,” Georgie whispered as they approached the check-in desk. “This will be great.”

  “It’s very blue.” Aleta said, looking around. “It makes me feel like I’m in an episode of Buck Rogers.”

  Georgie nodded as she studied the abstract prints that were framed along the walls. It was obvious the designs were modern interpretations of New York City landmarks. They were all primarily in blue hues with splashes of yellow or orange or hot pink to add interest and contrast. The paintings, even if they were a little cliché, conveyed a pride in the city. Georgie could identify with that as she felt that same pride for the Windy City.

  The furniture, smooth, rolling pieces in gray and yellow fabric, was grouped in four small clusters across the lobby. It was the blue wall sconces that gave everything the soft feeling of being underwater. Georgie rather liked it and as she approached the only person behind the reception desk she smiled.

  “You must love coming to work here every night. It’s so calming.” She said. The man behind the desk was unusually tall and thin, his Adam’s apple a fine point in the middle of his neck. He smiled looking down at least a foot to meet Georgie’s gaze.

  “It can be.” He replied. “How can I help you?”

  “Checking in.” Georgie said, pulling out her credit card. Within minutes they had their room keys and were on the elevator to the twentieth floor.

  “I love staying at hotels.” Aleta said, stifling a yawn.

  “Me, too. You want something, they bring it to you. Dessert at midnight? Why, of course. Oh, you’d like someone else to make your bed and pick up all your wet towels? Don’t worry. We’ll do it.” Georgie said as she waved the little plastic card over the door handle of room 2022. With a click and the flash of a green light the door unlocked. After stepping inside, they awkwardly stood there, shoulder to shoulder looking at the room.

  “Well, it’s nice and we have two beds.” Georgie said, pulling her wheeled suitcase up beside her, accidentally hitting Aleta’s leg.

  “Yes.” Aleta smirked. “And if I have to make any sudden movements I’ll step outside in the hallway where there is room.”

  “It is rather cramped, isn’t
it?” Georgie wrinkled her nose.

  “This is New York. You aren’t going to get the kind of space we are used to having at Betty’s Bed & Breakfast. And, let’s face it. We aren’t even going to be in the room that much. This is just a place to sleep and for that it is plenty big enough.”

  “See, that’s what I love about you, Aleta. When we get lemons, you are the first to make lemonade.” Georgie hugged her sister.

  “Well, there will be plenty of squeezing going on in this room out of necessity alone.” Aleta laughed as she pushed past Georgie and flopped her bag on the bed furthest from the window. Georgie started to laugh and left her bag at the door and maneuvered past her sister to the bathroom. Flipping on the light, she laughed even harder.

  “What? What is it?” Aleta asked.

  “If you think the room is small just wait until you see the bathroom.” Georgie had tears in her eyes, she was laughing so hard. When Aleta peeked in to see nothing more than a clear glass shower stall next to the toilet and a pedestal sink she joined Georgie in gales of laughter.

  Once they had their things unpacked and devised a plan covering how not to step on each other’s toes when they got ready the next day, they decided a nightcap in the lobby bar might be nice. As they walked past the reservation desk the young man who had checked them in asked how they liked their room.

  “It’s very cozy.” Georgie replied, thanking him for asking.

  “That was a nice way to put it.” Aleta slipped her arm through the crook of Georgie’s arm.

  “Heck, I’ll bet that hotel room is bigger than his apartment.” Georgie joked. The lobby bar was not completely empty. There were a few folks chatting at the bar and taking up a couple of tables. But Georgie and Aleta managed to find a table for two by a window. After ordering two New York style chunky chocolate chip cookies and two hot chocolates the ladies relaxed.