Competition Can Be Murder (32 page)

“Did they say anything about . . .” Karen paused, looking for a good way to ask.

“The money’s coming,” Drake said. “Colin Finnie gave his word that he’d see to it that you get paid for all the flight time actually done. Said the oil company likes to sound tough in their contracts, but they can’t really withhold payment.”

“And most likely the insurance company will cover the downed aircraft. The CAA man told us it’s up to them to decide whether they want to try to bring it up and inspect it. His report will conclude that the craft went down due to an act of sabotage and that the perpetrators have been apprehended.”

Her face crumpled. “Thank you so much,” she said. “You’ve both been so much help.”

Her daughter put an arm around Karen’s shoulders. “Let’s go home, Mother,” she whispered.

I looked up at Drake as we followed them toward their waiting limousine. “Yes, let’s.”

Books in the Charlie Parker series:

Deadly Gamble

Vacations Can Be Murder

Partnerships Can Be Murder

Small Towns Can Be Murder

Memories Can Be Murder

Honeymoons Can Be Murder

Reunions Can Be Murder

Competition Can Be Murder

Balloons Can Be Murder

Obsessions Can Be Murder

Gossip Can Be Murder

Stardom Can Be Murder

Books in the Samantha Sweet mystery series:

Sweet Masterpiece

Sweet’s Sweets

Holiday Sweets
(December 2011)

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Competition Can Be Murder

Published by Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of

Columbine Publishing Group

PO Box 416, Angel Fire, NM 87710

Copyright © 2004 Connie Shelton

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of information contained in this book we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. Any slights of people, places or organizations are unintentional.

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Cover image © Thomas Adolfsson

Cover background image © cekur

Also published in trade paperback

First trade paperback edition: July, 2010