Slay in Character

Book 4: Cat Latimer Mystery

by Lynn Cahoon

Genres: Amateur Sleuth; Cozy Mystery; Suspense

Synopsis

Staying in character can be murder when Cat Latimer and the members of her writers' retreat head for a ghost town....

Cat and the members of her writers' retreat have just arrived in Outlaw, Colorado, an "Old West" tourist town complete with inhabitants dressed up as famous figures from history. But this authentic slice of Americana takes a murderous turn when a college student masquerading as a 19th-century saloon girl becomes history herself.

Was she the intended target? Or did she take a hit meant for someone else? With a cast of suspects to choose from — including some notorious gunslingers and the sleazy town founders — Cat must unhorse the real culprit before a real-life ghost story is given a killer twist....

Release date: November 27, 2018

Publisher: Kensington Books

Print pages: 320

Sample

How did the saying go? History repeats itself, or to forget our past is to relive it in our future? She was probably mixing a few different sayings. Cat Latimer played with the quote in her head as she helped Seth unload the five writers from the SUV. The day trip to Outlaw, a local ghost town, was a new retreat adventure add-on, and all five writers had signed up for the extra day for the June retreat. Even the Covington College student attendee, Jessi Ball, had paid the extra fee to visit Outlaw with the group.

The dust from the parking lot settled around them, and Cat wiped it from her face. The air here was thinner, as they were nestled high in the mountains. Outlaw had originally been an old mining town. In the high valley, the sun seemed even closer and brighter. She adjusted her sunglasses and took in the entrance. The pine smell from the trees filled her senses and reminded her of a camping trip she and Seth had taken the summer after senior year. The last campout before he’d joined the army and left for his new future. She could taste the s’mores they’d made before they’d lain out on the air mattress he’d set up next to the fire pit. She pulled herself from the memory and looked over at him as he helped the last guest out of the vehicle.

Feeling the heat from the memory and the Colorado summer day, Cat handed each writer a small backpack she’d had made up with Warm Springs Writers’ Retreat on the front along with a black-and-white picture of a Victorian-era house. “Inside you’ll find a water bottle, a disposable camera, a notepad for inspiration, two pens, and a few bakery items from Shauna, our resident chef, to keep your brain cells firing.”

“When do we meet for lunch?” Connie McDonald slipped on her sunglasses as she glanced around the parking lot.

“We’ll be eating at the saloon, so meet us there at high noon.” Cat smiled. The group, except for Jessi, were all historical romance authors and were all from the same writers’ group in Connecticut. They’d booked the retreat as soon as Cat had put up a note about the added visit to the Colorado ghost town. After that, Cat had had several inquiries from romance groups wanting to book the entire house. She’d have to work out the arrangements with Shauna, but if they could pull it off, the retreat could probably host two or three of these special events a year at full occupancy.

“Does anyone want my camera? I’ll be using my phone, and besides, I can get pictures anytime.” Jessi held up the camera and Kelly Adams snatched it from her hand. Kelly was a striking brunette whose emerald green eyes seemed to bore right though you when she talked.

Kelly tucked the camera into her bag, then looked around at the group, who were all staring at her. “Oh, yeah, please and thank you.”

“Kelly doesn’t get out much,” Cora Sanders fake-whispered to Cat. The woman was in her fifties, but with her blond hair loose around her shoulders, she looked younger. “She’s been under continuous deadlines for the last two years since her book sales went crazy through the roof.”

“My sales aren’t that crazy,” Kelly muttered, a flush on her cheeks, “but my contracts are keeping me busy. I’ll admit that.”

“She’s a contract collector,” Lisa Freeman teased. “The rest of us are lucky to have one contract at a time, and our friend Kelly here has three.”

Kelly’s face turned beet red. “Four, counting the novella contract I just signed last week.”

The group exploded into laughter.

“Frankly, I’m not sure why we keep her around.” Cora took Kelly’s arm in hers. “Let’s go step into the Old West and get some ideas for our next best sellers.”

Seth Howard leaned against the vehicle and watched the women leave. They’d included Jessi in the group quickly. “Your retreats are never boring. I guess I always thought writers would be the type to stay in the library reading until they turned into a book or something.”

“You’re stereotyping. Writers are fun people. We want to experience life so we can write about it in our books later.” Cat put her backpack on. “I put your water and cookies in with mine so I wouldn’t lose you here.”

“Where do you think I’m going to go? Ride out on the range to drive in the cattle? Or maybe wander about in the mountains to stake a mining claim?” He shut the doors and remote locked the car.

“Either one sounds exactly like where I might have found you one hundred years ago. Your ancestors helped build Covington, didn’t they?” Cat took his hand as they walked toward Main Street and the action. She enjoyed being home in Colorado. More, she enjoyed reviving her relationship with Seth Howard, her high school sweetheart. Her mom even asked about Seth during their weekly calls.

“Howards were some of Covington’s founding fathers. Just wait until we have your group do my hiking day. You’ll learn all about my mad mountain man skills.” Seth pointed to the horses tied up at the end of town near the blacksmith’s shop. “Looks like they’re getting ready for the trail ride. Next time we schedule this, we’ll have to do the weekend so we can actually get out into the mountains.”

Cat thought about the women who’d signed up for the Outlaw retreat. Of the five, only Jessi seemed like the type who’d brave getting on a horse and riding through the wilderness. Cat could just see her insurance agent’s eyes widening as she explained the additional activity. “Maybe. I’ll have to talk to Henry about a bigger umbrella policy.”

Seth chuckled. “I always forget about the business side of things. Maybe we should just stay with visiting Outlaw. I’m planning on playing a few hands of blackjack while we’re here, though. I hear they let visitors win.”

“With play money.” Cat smiled at the childlike grin that covered Seth’s face. Between that and a slight scruff of beard, the guy looked like he could step into one of many roles actors played in the tourist town. All he needed was a cowboy hat and a button-down shirt to replace the I Heart Rock T-shirt he currently sported. And some cowboy boots to replace his Nikes. “I wish this had been open while we were going to high school. I would have jumped at the chance to spend my summer working here.”

“They hire a lot of the drama kids from Covington. I guess their folks would rather they stay here and work than go back east to the bigger cities.” Seth pulled her onto the wooden sidewalks attached to the buildings and out of the dirt of the main street. “Speaking of Covington, have you seen your friend Dante lately?”

Cat winced. She knew Seth didn’t like the guy. She had to admit, Dante was a little scary, mostly due to his belonging to a large Mob family. Seth was watching her. “No, I haven’t seen or talked to Dante lately. Why? Have you seen him in town?”

“I did some work for his butler over at that huge house down the street from yours last month. Did you know he has signed copies of your books in his library? I think they are the only paperbacks he has in the entire collection.” They paused at the Olde Tyme Photo Shop, where the writers had stopped to get pictures of themselves in Western garb. “Thought it was a little strange, that’s all.”

“I have a fan.” Cat leaned into him. “Stop being so overprotective. I know Dante isn’t the type of man you want me to be friends with.”

“Your uncle agrees with me.” Seth didn’t look at her as he spoke.

“I know the guy’s bad news. I’m not going to do anything to put myself in any danger.” She felt like she was being lectured like a child.

Seth put an arm around her and pulled her close. “Now, that, my love, is an utter falsehood. Trouble finds you like a dog with a buried bone.”

Cat had to grudgingly agree. Sometimes she did seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But it wasn’t her fault. “I don’t do it on purpose.”

Seth was about to speak when Cora came out in a saloon girl outfit and pulled them both into the shop.

“You two have to be in the picture as well.” She pointed to the racks of clothes. “Go get changed, we’ll wait.”

Cat sent Seth a what-can-you-do smile and headed off to the side of the room where the women’s clothes were located. She was relieved the conversation had been interrupted. She’d wanted it ended before she had to admit that she’d actually been in Dante’s study signing the books for him. Seth wouldn’t understand, even if it didn’t have a thing to do with their relationship.

She chose a dress in a soft blue and walked toward the changing room.

“Oh, no, that won’t do at all.” Jessi traded the dress Cat had chosen for a sexy saloon girl dress. “We’re all being bad girls. You have to join us. And Seth can be our bouncer.”

“I think they were called protectors back then, dear.” Kelly adjusted a headband with a long pink feather.

“Whatever, it will be a cool picture.” Jessi hung the more conservative dress out of Cat’s reach. “And you are going to look hot. That’s one reason I love working here. I look smoking in these costumes.”

“You always think you look hot.” Another girl giggled next to Jessi.

“Because I do.” Jessi grinned and hugged the girl. “Cat, this is my roommate, Danielle. She and I have been friends since freshman year, and now we’re both working this summer here at Outlaw.”

“Hey.” Danielle held up a hand in greeting. “My shift starts in a little bit, I probably better be going.”

“It was nice to meet you.” Cat glanced at the dress Jessi had shoved into her hands.

“You too.” Danielle turned to Jessi. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle your shifts this week. I could use the extra money. Some of us are putting ourselves through graduate school.”

“I can’t help it if my mom is insisting on a second degree for me. If she wants me to get it, she’s footing the bill.” She hugged Danielle. “I left my keys to the BMW on top of my desk. Use it tonight. I don’t want you trying to catch a ride from any of these losers.”

“You didn’t call them losers when you were dating them.” Danielle held up a hand. “No time to discuss, I’m going to be late.”

“She seems nice.” Cat tried to reach for the more conservative outfit while distracting Jessi.

“She’s too nice. I guess she’s naïve. She doesn’t realize that there are bad people out there. I learned that lesson early, but Danielle? She was raised in Idaho. Nothing bad ever happens in Idaho.” Jessi stared sadly in the direction her friend had left. Then she caught Cat’s movement out of the corner of her eye. “No way. You aren’t looking like a nun with that hot man next to you.”

“You work at the saloon?” Cat hadn’t known Jessi was actually one of the summer employees. She stopped trying to get the outfit she’d picked out and went inside the dressing room and slipped out of her clothes and into the dress Jessi had given her. Or what appeared to be a dress. The bodice was a corset and the dress was hiked up and sewn to show off the wearer’s legs. “I didn’t know that. It’s nice of you to come with us.”

“Oh, I love being here, especially when I’m not working. It’s like a playland. I get to play dress-up every day and they pay me.” Jessi swished her skirts. “Besides, I really wanted to meet the other attendees. I love talking to real writers. Come on out and I’ll fix your corset. It’s a pain to do by yourself.”

Cat adjusted herself, then folded her clothes into a neat pile by the bench. Glancing at her image in the mirror, she thought she looked like Hollywood’s idea of a saloon girl. The neckline dipped low and the shoulders of the dress hung to the side, so there was no way she could wear a bra with the getup. She took one last look in the mirror and exited the dressing area.

“Turn around and I’ll get you laced in.” Jessi leaned close as she did up the back of the dress. “You look totally mag. Your man is going to want a copy of this for his private collection.”

Cat felt her cheeks heat. What was it with romance writers that they always wanted to chime in on her relationship with Seth? He glanced over and gave her a wink. The guy didn’t look half bad himself.

Cora called out to the group. “Okay, everyone, come and get set. It’s time for us to go back in time. Think of the last heroine you wrote and pretend you’re her.”

Lisa moved toward the stage and snorted. “My last character was a schoolteacher. If she’d have been caught in a dress like this, she would have been run out of town.”

The woman laughed as the photographer adjusted them into a pose. After taking several shots, he checked his camera and nodded. “I think you all will be happy with this. Anyone want some individual or couple shots?”

“Yeah, get one of me and the ball and chain.” Seth grabbed Cat by the waist and spun her around. “We’ve got some dancing to do later.”

By the time they left the photo shop, several of the women had gotten individual shots taken. As they returned to the street in their normal clothing, Seth leaned close. “You know he’s got to be making a mint off those.”

Jessi overheard his comment. “Oh, he’s just an employee like the rest of us. The entire town is owned by a corporation. We all work for one man, a guy out of Denver. Of course, we never see him, but the kids call him Mr. McDuck, like that rich guy in the old cartoons?”

Cat glanced around the street. She could see how this town could be the brainchild of one person. It all fit seamlessly. The next shop was a general store where you could buy period reproduction clothes and, to her surprise, snacks.

“Chocolate? Or salty?” Seth looked at her. “I have to buy my favorite girl a treat.”

“You are taking this courting thing way too seriously.” Cat pointed to what looked like fudge in the glass case. “I’ll take a hunk of that. It looks yummy.”

Kelly stopped near her. “I have to say, I’m enjoying today. I told the others I’d come to the retreat but all I was going to do was work, not play around. I’ve got a deadline at the end of the month and two more by end of year. I didn’t have time for the travel and to take a day for this.”

“Sometimes taking a real break is just what you need to jump-start your creativity.” Cat looked at the woman. “Did you really just sign a fourth contract, or were you teasing back there?”

“I have four contracts and, now, three different publishers. I don’t know if I’m coming or going, but I love writing these series. And then, wham, a bright and shiny idea hits, and I’m talking to my editor, and before you know it, I have an offer. On a book that was just an idea. Who would turn that down?” Kelly stretched out her arms. “So if you don’t see me after today, just know I’m upstairs in my room writing.”

“You’re going to shame me into writing this week.” Cat fingered the fabric on what appeared to be a leather vest. Glancing at the price tag, she knew it was a real leather vest. “I have been trying to take retreat week off from word count days.”

“This is working. You’re running this retreat. That can’t be easy.” Kelly picked up a leather journal. “Now, this is cute. I’m going to get one for each of my sisters. Add a nice pen and my Christmas shopping is done.”

Cat watched as she scooped up ten of the journals and went to the cash register to pay. When she came back, Cat reached for the sack. “Let me take this back to the car so you don’t have to carry it all day.”

Jessi popped into the conversation. “I’ll do it. I need to make sure I hit my steps today anyway.” She held up her wrist and showed them her Apple watch. “I love this thing. My mom sent it to me at the beginning of term last year.”

“Nice computer on your arm.” Seth handed Cat the fudge. As she reached for it, he held on for just a second longer. “Don’t think you’re not sharing that.”

“Give Jessi the keys, she’s going to take Kelly’s package back to the SUV.” Cat took a bite of the chocolate treat.

He glanced at his own watch. “It’s almost time for the big shoot-out on the street. You sure you don’t want to stay and watch? I can take the bag back so you can enjoy the day.”

Jessi laughed and held out her hand for the keys. “It’s the guy in the black hat. It’s always the guy in the black hat that dies. Do you know how many times I see Bradley killed during a summer? I think I can miss one show.”

“Okay, but it’s going to be cool. I hear they use fake blood and everything.” He dropped the keys into Jessi’s hand and put his arm around Cat. “Just don’t go for a joyride. I know what the mileage is on the car.”

“You’re not such a trusting guy, are you?” Jessi headed to the door, Kelly’s bag swinging in her hand. “I’ll meet you guys at lunch.”

Cat got the group moving out onto the street so they could watch the staged gunfight. Before the show started, a white cat with black patches ran across the dirt road and jumped up on the railing where residents could tie up their horses. Or at least they could back in the day. The cat blinked its green eyes at her as if to say, You know you want to pet me.

“What a beautiful cat.” Cora stood next to Cat and stroked the long fur. “Do you think she lives here?”

“I don’t know.” Cat reached out her hand, and as she scratched under the feline chin, she felt a tag. She leaned down and read the name engraved on the heart-shaped tag. “Looks like Angelica belongs to someone. There’s a vet clinic name here too, Dr. Simon. Maybe I should call them and see if the cat’s been reported missing.”

As if she’d heard them discussing her, Angelica gave Cat one last rub with her head, then jumped down and ran across the road again. Cat started to go after her, but Seth held her arm.

“The shoot-out is starting.” He pointed toward the men strolling down the street toward each other.

Cat searched the other side of the street, but the cat had disappeared. She’d have to be content in calling this vet and letting them know where they could find the wandering Angelica—if she was lost, that is.

She leaned into Seth’s side and prepared to watch the show.

As Jessi had predicted, the tall, lanky cowboy in the black hat did a great job of dying on cue. A funeral director’s wagon pulled up to retrieve the body, blocking the crowd’s view, and someone from the saloon called out from the swinging doors. “Grub’s being served. Come eat now or don’t. Not my problem.”

“What a welcoming invitation,” Cora remarked as the group made their way to the dining area where they would be eating lunch. “Customer service must not be high on their list of values here at Outlaw.”

“You get the immersion experience. I’m sure our version of customer service isn’t what the Old West was built on.” Seth held the swinging door open. “It was more of a live or die experience, right?”

“With a love story under every quilt.” Lisa agreed as they gathered around the table with a Reserved sign announcing Warm Springs Resort. “I’m so excited to be here. I’ve always wanted to write an American Western historical. If I have to write another duke I’m going to stab someone with my favorite pen.”

“A violent group of outlaws we have visiting our fair town.” The waiter grinned as he put mugs of water on the table. “We’re pu. . .