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  BONUS CHAPTER

  An Excerpt from Murder at the Manor

  Major Roberts held his breath as best as he could, but ignoring her was difficult. Her dark, slanted eyes, her skin as silken as an ocean pearl, her black hair and gorgeous lips were almost too much for him to handle. She enticed him more than any other woman he’d ever met, and he wouldn’t be satisfied until she was his in all the ways he imagined. Natasha watched him as he fidgeted in his leather chair in front of the inactive fireplace. He always grew restless this time of night, and she would be wise to make haste with her chores and go to bed.

  Major Roberts really was kind to have let her live with him all these years, but his increasing efforts to flirt with her were becoming alarming. There was no denying the attraction, but if she were being honest with herself, lots of men were attracted to her. None of them, however, made her feel as uncomfortable or scared as Major Roberts did.

  Natasha tucked her hair behind her ears and continued dusting the grand piano on the far side of the living room, under the watchful eye of her adopted father. If anything should happen, Adrian would be only in the next room or so.

  All I need do is scream, she told herself.

  Soon enough, she was lost in her thoughts. Lady Turnbull had her weekly cooking class that focused solely on traditional English breakfasts coming up the next morning, and she would want to be ready for it. Natasha loved Lady Maggie so much, and always considered her the adopted mother she would have chosen for herself. During her stay in New South Wales, Australia, Lady Maggie was the only person to seek her out every week and try to make sure she felt like she fit in. Of course, with the famous Lady Maggie as your friend, one couldn’t help but fit in.

  Wondering what the menu would be for the next morning, Natasha busied her mind with thoughts of cinnamon and eggs and butter… three of Lady Turnbull’s favorite ingredients. “You can make anything with these lovelies, anything at all” she would say every week. “The world, and every man with a stomach, is putty in your hands if you know how to use them properly!”

  The sound of footsteps crossing the room didn’t register to her until the grasp of a strong hand was wrapped around her tiny bicep. Major Roberts spun her around and put his face in hers.

  “That’s it, temptress! I’ll have what I’m owed, now.”

  Not understanding, Natasha’s eyes darted back and forth between his, and she noticed how wild his pupils looked. The man appeared to have suddenly gone positively crazy, and she needed to figure out why. Had she done something wrong? He was always quite cross when she did something wrong.

  “I know you can’t be so naïve as to think I brought you all the way back from Vietnam all those years ago just for the hell of it, eh? Or out of the kindness of my heart?”

  Unsure of what to say, she remained silent and waited for him to get to the point, though her shoulders began to tremble.

  “What’s wrong, love? Are you afraid of me?” he spit in her face through gnashed teeth. Natasha didn’t dare move. Maybe if he spoke loudly enough, his wife would hear. Or possibly Adrian. Where was he, anyway?

  Major Roberts noticed her eyes darting and lowered his voice. “You think I’m stupid, aye? Well think again.” He lowered his voice again to almost a whisper and his warm, foul breath washed over her face as he spoke.

  “I know you’re smart, Natasha. I know you’ve come to realize over the past few years that I didn’t take you out of Vietnam because I was a friend to your mother. Or because I’m an overly nice guy. I wanted you for my own…and I certainly didn’t bring you to Australia to live with me so you could marry that good-for-nothing nephew of mine!”

  He spat on his own carpet as if to prove how disgusted he was. She only found it disgusting because she knew she’d be the one who had to clean it up later.

  Major Roberts moved his hand up to her throat and put his left hand on her waist, moving it ever so slowly toward her back. Her small waist fit in his hand like a tiny, breakable ornament. His large palms, warped and mangled from a difficult but prosperous life, could crush her in only a moment. Yet if she held still long enough, surely he would calm down.

  Major Roberts stepped closer to her, pinning her small frame against the bookshelf and slid his hand from the front of her throat around to the back of her neck. He forced her head backward and pressed his lips to her neck. Natasha couldn’t help but let out a yelp, which was a terrible idea as it caused him to return his hand to her throat.

  “DON’T make a peep. I deserve to collect on my good deed, and you’ll behave properly.” His yellowed teeth were barely visible under his large mustache as he leaned in closer and pressed his lips to hers. It was so forced and so hard-pressed against her mouth that those awful teeth of his cut into her lip. She didn’t dare scream, she rather valued the use of everything attached to her waist, where his grip was continually tightening. Just as he pulled back and she was about to chance screaming just once, his nephew, Adrian Delahunty burst through the double swinging doors that led from the dining room.

  “Get off her!” It didn’t take four steps with Adrian’s long legs to put him directly in front of Major Roberts, and only one arm’s length to knock him to the floor. The man got up, regaining his footing quickly, and rushed his young nephew. The two men grappled in the living room, knocking over the two end tables on either side of the sofa and one recently-filled vase on the coffee table. They made quite a ruckus, and before too long, Lady Maggie herself came barging in through the same swinging double doors.

  “What on earth is going on in here, gentlemen?!” she demanded. “You stop that right now!”

  Adrian turned toward Lady Margaret in a sign of respect, and Major Roberts took that as a sign to land a cheap shot across his right cheekbone. When Adrian stood up to return the blow with a young, feisty version of his own, Lady Maggie stepped in between them like a professional referee.

  “I said, that’ll be enough of that, Digby Roberts.”

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  C T Mitchell is an Amazon bestselling author of mystery short reads and novels with a thriller edge. He is multiple 5 star recipient in the 2017 Readers Choice Awards for his novel Murder Secret (formerly published as Breaking Point).

  Street educated, Australian-born C T Mitchell has traveled the world in his business dealings as a real estate negotiator encountering many interesting characters; some outright crooks. He brings these experiences as well as a love for mystery thrillers to his writing.

  His fast-paced Detective Jack Creek Mysteries weave together traditional police procedural practice, global locations, and a hint of thrillers. Described by readers as “Rebus in a Valentino suit" Jack Creed is the ‘hard copper’ you want on your case.

  Dead Shot #1

  Dead Ringer #2

  Dead Wrong #3

  Dead Boss #4

  Dead Stakes #5

  Dead Lucky #6

  Dead Silence #7

  Murder Secret

  C T Mitchell also writes cozy mysteries.

  Lady Margaret Turnbull, the 50 something, widow, is the bane of Detective Tom Sullivan’s life, but usually solves his cases. He’s secretly appreciative.

  Murder at the Fete #1

  Murder in the Village #2

  Murder in the Cemetery #3

  Murder in the Valley #4

  Murder at the Manor #5

  Murder Shot #6

  Three more cozy mystery series featuring Kate Mackenzie’s Sugar N Spice Cupcake Company, Father Douglas and Selena Sharma Mysteries are also on Amazon.

  C T Mitchell splits his time in both Brisbane and Cabarita Beach - a sleepy seaside village in northern NSW, Australia - the home of his award winning books. To grab two free mystery bestsellers, please visit www.CTMitchellBooks.com , or follow him on Facebook or Twitter.

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  C T Mitchell

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