Murder at the Mena House

by Erica Ruth Neubauer

  “You mustn’t tell anyone about this. Under threat of death, Jane Wunderly.” His voice was fierce, but his eyes begged.

  I couldn’t help a fit of giggles.

  “Redvers Dibble is your actual name? I can see why you’re discreet about it.”

  I was caught in another laughing fit while Redvers glared at me. He gave his head a shake and opened his telegram, reading it while keeping one eye on me. He folded it and tucked it into his inside pocket while I got my laughter under control.

  Suitably somber, I regarded him. “So, good news, Dibs?” I asked.

  He took a threatening step toward me and leaned down until we were practically nose to nose. The clerk eyed us nervously, and Redvers caught his look out of the corner of his eye. Straightening, he grabbed my elbow and pulled me around the corner. I have to admit I was still amused—and not in the least scared of Redvers Dibble.

  “I’m going to regret ever meeting you, aren’t I?”

  It was probably a rhetorical question, but I answered anyway.

  “Most likely.” I grinned up at him.

  He heaved a sigh and regarded the ceiling.

  “So, what news?” I asked again.

  He paused and regarded me. “Looks like I’ll be departing sooner than I had expected.” He had the grace to seem disappointed.

  My own heart dropped into my stomach, but I tried valiantly to seem unconcerned. I had hoped he would be staying, especially since it looked as though I would be here until Millie was strong enough to make the long trip again. It would be nice to spend some time with him while our lives weren’t in danger.

  “Where to?”

  Instead of replying, he smiled, and my stomach did a small flip.

  “I’ll be seeing you again, Jane Wunderly. Don’t you worry.”

  I considered him for a moment before stepping forward. I wrapped my hand around his neck as I went up on my tiptoes and pulled his face down to mine. As his soft lips met mine, an electric spark ran between the two of us.

  I kissed him. Thoroughly.

  When we pulled apart, it was my turn to smile. I turned and walked out to the terrace, leaving him standing in the hall with a stunned look on his face. I thought a nice cool drink was in order. Perhaps a gin and tonic.

  See him again? I wasn’t in the least bit concerned.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I have a lot of people to thank, and it might seem like I’m thanking everyone I’ve ever met, so buckle in.

  I want to thank my amazing agent Ann Collette. I’m so fortunate to have you.

  Thank you to my wonderful editor John Scognamiglio who has been an absolute pleasure to work with. Big thanks to the rest of the team at Kensington who have made my job so much easier and brought this book to life.

  Thank you to Zoe King. Without her, I never would have sent this book out in the first place. I’m so grateful for her editing skills, her support and her encouragement. Love you, Z.

  Thank you to Tasha Alexander and Andrew Grant for their support, encouragement, and advice—and for giving me a refuge to get a lot of work done. I love you madly.

  Thank you to my oldest and dearest friends: Kate Conrad, Jenny Lohr, Erin MacMillan, Beth McIntyre, Katie Meyer and Megan Mueller. I love and appreciate you more than words can say.

  Chris Hammond. You’re pretty old too. An old friend, I mean.

  Thank you to my beta readers—some of whom read some really early versions of this, and bless their hearts for encouraging me to keep going: Tasha Alexander, Susie Calkins, Dana Cameron, Kate Conrad, Jordan Foster, Carrie Hennessy, Tim Hennessy, Katrina Niidas Holm, Jess Lourey, Megan Mueller, Mandi Neumann, and Clare O’Donohue.

  I count myself incredibly fortunate to have been welcomed into the crime fiction community—I have truly found my tribe. They are some of the kindest, most talented, and generous people I know. Many of them have offered support, advice and encouragement, and in some cases even blurbs, so special thanks to: Tasha Alexander, Gretchen Beetner, Lou Berney, Terri Bischoff, Susanna Calkins, Hilary Davidson, Matthew FitzSimmons, Andrew Grant, Alex Grecian, Chris Holm, Katrina Niidas Holm, Rob Hart, Linda Joffe Hull, Dana Kaye, Elizabeth Little, Jess Lourey, Jamie Mason, Nadine Nettmann, Mike McCrary, Catriona McPherson, Lauren O’Brien, Lori Rader-Day, Johnny Shaw, Jay Shepherd, Victoria Thompson, Ashley Weaver, James Ziskin. If I have forgotten someone, you probably owe me a beer. Or I owe you one.

  Special thanks to Brad Parks for never reading anything I’ve written.

  Thank you to Jon and Ruth Jordan and Richard Katz for introducing me to the crime fiction community to begin with. And to the Crimespree family: Dan and Kate Malmon, Tim and Carrie Hennessy, Bryan VanMeter and Kyle Jo Schmidt. A further thank you to the Milwaukee crew: Daniel Goldin, Rochelle Melander, Nick and Margret Petrie. Events are better with you there.

  Thank you to Walid Ghonem, the warmest and most knowledgeable tour guide you could ever hope to meet. He graciously answered all my questions and showed us the most wonderful time in Egypt.

  Big love and thanks to my mom Dorothy Neubauer, my sister Rachel Neubauer and my aunties Sandy, Sara and Sue. Love and thanks to the other members of the extended Neubauer clan who have been super supportive through this process: Justin and Christine Kierzek, Jeff and Annie Kierzek, and Ignacio Catral. Keep it weird, you guys.

  Shout-out to my step-kids: Angel, Mandi, Alex and Andie.

  Thank you, always, to Beth McIntyre. None of this is possible without you.

  And thank you to my husband Gunther. His unwavering love and support keep me sane.

  I got the news that this book was going to be published exactly a month after my dad, Police Chief Scott Neubauer, unexpectedly passed away. It was bittersweet for me—my dad was my biggest cheerleader and my staunchest supporter. He would have moved heaven and earth if I had asked him, and I hope that he knows we finally did it.