by C. L. Gaber
“I know it sounds extremely nuts, but there is this other mystery in town. I’m not even kidding, but there is this guy who knows my parents who swears that at the university one of the anthropology buildings is haunted from all the old mummies there. They keep real bones in that basement.”
“Bones?” I repeat.
“Haunted?” Deva adds.
“Nat, this can’t be true. You’re warped,” Cissy says, poking her friend in the arm as the elevator stops on every single freaking floor of the hotel.
“Ouch—and I mean it,” says an indignant Nat. “Swear on the life of Tatum Ryan.”
We hear familiar laughter.
It’s coming from a man in a white baseball cap and dark Ray-Ban sunglasses who shakes his head. I noticed that he was standing in the corner of the elevator car when we walked on, but just figured he was another eccentric L.A. type.
“Girls, please,” the man begins in a slightly raspy voice. “Don’t gamble with my life. I kinda like being alive. Very much, thank you.”
With a flick of his wrist, Tatum Ryan whips off his Ray-Bans and grants us the same dazzling smile he used to save his cute behind in countless heavy dramas about cops, robbers, and the high school prom (the early days of his career).
“Oh my God!” I gasp. “Oh … oh … I’m freaking! Oh my God!”
“I’m Tatum,” he continues, smiling and shaking each quivering hand.
We might have to call 911. I can see that Cissy has turned bright cherry red while Nat looks like she might pass out but still manages to croak out, “I’ve seen Man on a Mission fifty-seven times.’”
“I haven’t seen it that many times,” Tatum replies, reaching for Deva’s hand, but at the last minute, after summing up all the guts she can muster, Deva lifts her perfumed palm for him to kiss it.
“A pleasure to meet you,” he says to her, giving her a peck on her naked hand skin.
For the first time in her entire life, Deva says absolutely freakin’ nothing.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to thank the following:
Jacquelyn Mitchard, a great editor and an even greater inspiration. To work with an author of your caliber is a dream come true.
Jill Kramer, a great agent who followed this case to the end.
David Pringle, the best manager in the world and an even better friend, whose unwavering belief will write the next chapter.
Orian Williams, a visionary artist whom we’re so fortunate to have on our side.
Our cover artist, Sylvia McArdle: You gave our character great face. And thank you to everyone at Merit Press for your hard work, especially Meredith O’Hayre.
We would also like to thank every editor who made us stay late rewriting sentences, chasing down leads, and double-checking our facts—you know who you are.
A last thank you to a very special place called Matthews Center at Arizona State University, home to the best student newspaper that ever existed, the State Press, a place where friendships and dreams that have lasted a lifetime were born.
Vickie would like to specially thank:
My eternal love, Doug, for giving me space and time simply to be; Nicholas, for filling the world with light and laughter that knows no bounds; and my Florida, Connecticut, and Ohio family. My enduring gratitude to my longtime friends (notice I didn’t say “old”) the Darling Divas and my news family—those vast, noisy, curious, argumentative, and pushy, ink-stained, and camera-toting friends who filled many of the years at police lines, on courtroom benches, and in press galleries with camaraderie and a sense of purpose. And a special note of thanks to my colleagues at the University of South Florida and President Judy Genshaft for allowing me the privilege of putting words to what it is you do every day: the inspirational and transformative work of creating knowledge and empowering a new generation.
Cindy would like to specially thank:
The forever and always love of my life, Ron, for yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We met as kids and I love the man you are today. I’m so proud to call you my husband. The best stepdaughter in the world, Sabrina, who proves that like Jex, you can do anything if you dream big. Your talents and smarts will take you far. A big thanks to my brother, Gavin, sister-in-law, Jill, and my amazing nephews, Reid and Cade, and niece, Wylie. Thank you to Cheryl and Richard Pearlman. A big thank you to my Chicago Sun-Times family and a great editor, Gayden Wren, at New York Times Syndicate. To Carrie Healy for being such a great support system and friend. And finally, to my father, Paul Pearlman, for always being there, advising, loving, and believing.
So Vick, we did it. Can you drive me home now? I’ll crank up “Rosalita” on the tape deck.
The Drew-Ids Code of Honor
If you’re lucky enough to be inducted into the Drew-Ids, you must swear on the life of Tatum Ryan (or any hot actor of your choice) that you will abide by the following rules:
There is no such thing as the Drew-Ids. Just in case anyone asks. In other words, don’t spy and tell.
That said, a member of the Drew-Ids is a girl who has a detective gene just bursting to come out. She has the ability to keep digging until a case is solved or there is no need to sleuth any longer.
That much more said, you will not use your Drew-Ids skills to spy on a boy you like. You can, however, be hired for $1 by a friend or fellow D-ID member to snoop for her. It just takes the romance out of everything if you “look into things” for yourself.
Drew-Ids respect the ways of great girl detectives of the past, including Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, Kay Scarpetta, and the grandma of all snoops, Angela Lansbury. (Face it: You enjoyed watching some of those Murder, She Wrote episodes with your grandmother or by yourself. Shhhh.)
You will never do anything entirely illegal in the name of detective work, but there is no exact definition of “entirely.”
You will never choose any activity with a guy over what needs to be done for the good of society. Also, inevitable romantic heartbreak is no excuse for ignoring your Drew-Id duties.
You will keep no documentation of your cases. The written word is tricky, and parents have a way of doing their own snooping when you’re not home. So be smart, keep facts in your head, and in rare cases of paper trails, shred, shred, shred.
You must never forget about your Drew-Id Sisters even if you’re thousands of miles away from them. They’re only a call away for a quick consultation.
During official Drew-Id cases, you never leave until the entire group leaves together. This is important. Nobody gets ditched for any reason.
In the end, you’re working to save the world, one case at a time. Now, get out there. Stay alive. Keep your nose out of nothing.
And remember the number-one rule: If you don’t stand for something, you’re going to fall for everything.
Copyright © 2014 by C.L. Gaber and V.C. Stanley.
All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.
Published by
Merit Press
an imprint of F+W Media, Inc.
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200
Blue Ash, OH 45242. U.S.A.
www.meritpressbooks.com
ISBN 10: 1-4405-7051-5
ISBN 13: 978-1-4405-7051-3
eISBN 10: 1-4405-7052-3
eISBN 13: 978-1-4405-7052-0
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Gaber, C.L.
Jex Malone / C.L. Gaber and V.C. Stanley.
pages cm
Summary: Jex Malone, the daughter of a policeman in Las Vegas, gathers a group of friends and hacks into her father’s files to find a missing person.
ISBN-13: 978-1-4405-7051-3 (hc)
ISBN-10: 1-4405-7051-5 (hc)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4405-7052-0 (ebook)
ISBN-10: 1-4405-7052-3 (ebook)
[1. Missing persons--Fiction. 2.
Mystery and detective stories. 3. Las Vegas (Nev.)--Fiction.] I. Stanley, V.C. II. Title.
PZ7.G1146Je 2014
[Fic]--dc23
2014000031
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, corporations, institutions, organizations, events, or locales in this novel are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. The resemblance of any character to actual persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental.
Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their product are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and F+W Media, Inc. was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.
Cover design by Sylvia McArdle.
Cover images © 123RF/frugo/warp09/Eric Isselee/Alex Cain.
Interior image © Vladimir Yudin/123RF.