After returning home from her service as a United States Army Signal Corps operator in the Great War, Arabella Stewart’s goal, to save her family’s resort, seems within reach as the summer season progresses. She and her business partner, Mac MacLendon, look forward to re-establishing a successful championship golf tournament, once the signature event of the resort’s year. Problems arise when one of the contestants, an overbearing snob who has created problems at other competitions, clashes with more than one person. When he is found dead, the victim of a suspicious automobile crash, Bella once again helps Jax Hastings, the town constable and her childhood friend, investigate. As they pursue answers, Bella and Jax find several suspects who might have wanted to make the victim suffer for his lethal arrogance.
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In A Lethal Arrogance, the third book in my Arabella Stewart Historical Mystery series, Bella once again partners with Constable Jax Hastings to investigate a crime in their small hometown. Cecil Lahey, a wealthy and arrogant snob, is found dead in his roadster after crashing into a ravine. Was it accidental? Or did another driver run him off the road? The man’s father doesn’t want to wait for answers, which ups the ante. In this scene, Bella asks Jax if the elder Lahey is still pressuring him.
“Has Mr. Lahey contacted you again, Jax?” Bella asked. “I’ve been wondering if he just wants to keep after you, or if he’ll really hire a private detective.”
Jax grimaced. “He called the mayor early this morning. He pretty much repeated what he told me. If we don’t have a solid suspect by the funeral, which is day after tomorrow, Lahey is definitely planning to start his own investigation, not simply prod me.” More than ever, Jax knew his job was in jeopardy but he withheld the information. He’d handle the issue as his own.
“What did the mayor say?”
Jax tried to keep the dismay out of his voice and expression. “He told Lahey that he completely understood, and he wants to be sure I do, too. After all, the man simply wants justice for his son.”
Her dark gaze widened. “The mayor told you that?”
“Yes, he made a point of emphasizing how important it is to solve the case quickly. Of course, he also assured me that he knows I will.”
Bella scowled. “As usual, Mayor Cawlings isn’t taking a strong stand. First, he said he supports you and that Mr. Lahey has no influence in Moreley. Now, you need to solve the case right away because the man demands justice for his son.” A humorless laugh escaped her. “The senior Lahey wasn’t concerned with justice when Cecil beat up a child. Did you point that out to our mayor?”
“Of course not,” Jax replied. “Cawlings is more-or-less my boss, and I understand that he doesn’t want bad publicity for Moreley. We both know the town can’t take more of that. Neither can Ballantyne. A lot of visitors used to come from the Cleveland area, and old Lahey could vent his complaints to the newspapers here. I need to be circumspect in how I talk to the mayor, and Cawlings has to be cautious in dealing with Lahey. We both do.”
“I see your point,” Bella replied. “You’ve been working the case very hard in a very short time. That’s all you can do, Jax. Putting extra pressure on yourself won’t help.”
“The funeral is day after tomorrow. I need one primary suspect before then.” He sounded as tired and frustrated as he felt.
“Jax, I know you don’t want to deal with detectives, but give yourself some breathing space. We can go back to the church later and talk with the minister about Chaz Smith. Then, you can check on Guy Brewster’s alibi witness on the way home. At that point, you should be able to eliminate one of them. Also, Etting may eliminate or incriminate himself. Let’s see how things stand at the end of today.”
“You’re right,” he admitted. “I just want to solve the case before private eyes get involved. And before Lahey’s father makes trouble.” The elder Lahey wouldn’t hesitate to make good on his threats to besmirch Ballantyne and Moreley. Nor would he blanche at having Jax sacked. Mayor Cawlings wasn’t apt to stand behind Jax, and neither would the councilmen who’d voted against hiring him. If he lost his job, where would he go? What would he do? Few options were available to a dismissed constable or to an infirm golf pro—and he’d be both, if the worst happened.
D.S. Lang, author of the Arabella Stewart Historical Mystery series
A Precarious Homecoming-Book One
A Lingering Shadow-Book Two
A Lethal Arrogance-Book Three
Author Bio –
D.S. Lang, a native Ohioan, has been making up stories since she was a little girl, and she still is! Along the way, she studied English and social studies as an undergrad. After graduate school, she went on to teach government and American history in high school. She also taught English at the junior high, high school, and college levels. In addition, she has worked as a program coordinator, golf shop manager, and online tutor.
Now, she spends much of her time reading, researching, and writing. Most recently, she has delved into the Great War era and the years immediately after it. Her Arabella Stewart Historical Mystery Series was inspired by her Great Uncle Brice who served in the American Expeditionary Force during World War One, and by her love of historical mysteries. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with family and friends, including her dog Izzy.
Social Media Links – https://www.facebook.com/Author-DS-Lang-106722091331345
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