Death Southern Style by #BeverleyBateman @SDSXXTours #MFRWhooks

Final Day To Enter

The Silver Dagger Book Tour

Born and raised in New Orleans Julie Ann Dupré senses things other people don’t. She’s living in New York when she’s told her mother has been killed in an attempted robbery, which is odd because Perrine didn’t have anything valuable to steal. Julie Ann comes home to find the truth and discovers there’s a family secret, hidden for years. She searches to find the real reason for her mother’s death. Now someone is trying to kill her. Will her psychic senses, a little dog and a detective keep her safe?

Detective Connor O’Reilly, a native of New Orleans and comes from a family of police. He’s an honest cop but realizes there is corruption in the division. He meets Julie Ann at her mother’s house and is immediately attracted to her. After telling her about the attempted robbery he checks into the case and finds no one is investigating the death. Julie Ann deserves the truth and he wants to know what really happened. He starts a thorough investigation. He’s warned off the case and then he receives a death threat.

Julie Ann and Connor work together to unravel the real reason behind Perrine Dupré’s murder, Julie Ann’s mysterious past, and why people want her dead, while developing their challenging relationship. Can they both survive? And what about their relationship?

Good question. I don’t know. I’m going to try and find out. Did she have any enemies? Was there anyone who didn’t like her?”

“Perrine? No sir, everybody loved that woman.”

“If everyone loved her and she had nothing to steal, who would have shot her?” “That’s your job, ain’t it?”

Connor smiled. “Yes, it is, and I am trying to do it. Will you be here in the morning?”

“I might. Why?” She raised her chins. Her eyes narrowed.

“I’m bringing Julie Ann home, maybe around eleven. It would be nice to have someone here to welcome her.”

“I’ll be here. I’d do anythin’ for that child. Poor little thing, you should have let her stay here the night. It would have been better than some old hotel. I could have taken care of her.”

“I didn’t know you were here. She came to the house direct from the airport earlier, but because of the tape couldn’t get in. I guess she didn’t think of coming across the street to see if you were home.”

“She was probably distraught. I didn’t see her arrive or I would have come out. I was probably in the back trying to keep cool. After the murder we’re all being pretty careful around here.”

“That’s a good thing. Keep it up. With the stress and the heat Julie Ann was exhausted, close to collapsing. That was why I took her to a hotel.”

“Poor baby, is there anythin’ I can do?”

“Not tonight. I’m guessing she’s already asleep, but if you could be here for support in the morning, I’m sure she’d appreciate that.”

“I be here. I watch for her.”

“Good, here’s my card. If you think of anything you didn’t already tell the police, or if you have any concerns, call me. I want to help you and Julie Ann get to the bottom of this.”

“Sure,” thick lips compressed into a tight line, “like the cops are really going to do anything to solve the murder of a poor, lady down here. They’ve already written it off. I know how you all work.”

“Not everyone works like that. I’m really going to try and find out what happened.” Connor pushed the door open a little farther. “You said murder, not robbery. Do you know something I don’t?”

“I know what I know. It wasn’t no robbery. Perrine was murdered and if you look hard enough, you’ll see that, too. The rest of those corrupt cops went through the motions. They weren’t there long enough to figure out nothing.” Savannah stared up at him her eyes glittered with suspicion before she shoved the door shut. Connor heard the lock snap and then a chain being slid into place. Savannah obviously knew more than she said, but what? Nothing added up. One thing he was sure of, it wasn’t a robbery gone bad.
The forensic guys would come back and go over the house and grounds with a fine-toothed comb. They’d look for anything that might provide a lead.

He’d interview the neighbors after everyone got home from work. In the morning he’d interview Julie Ann and see if she had any information that might explain a motive for murder or what the killer might have been searching for in that little office. 

He needed to talk to the coroner and then Frank. After that he’d work on background checks, including one on Savannah Cheval, before he picked up Julie Ann from the hotel.

This case was more than just robbery. A murder had occurred, and he wouldn’t let the case become another of the unsolved murders, despite what Tozer and anyone else might want. There was a murderer out there. Until they found a motive, Julie Ann might be next on his list. Connor wanted to catch him and make sure that didn’t happen. He needed a motive and a suspect.

Could he find anything to give him a clue as to where to start?