The Eyes of Vengeance
by Teri Riggs
Someone is methodically killing past members of The Consortium, a defunct group of ruthless businessmen who made their fortunes buying and selling prime Las Vegas real estate during the era that saw the beginnings of the mega casino and luxury hotels. Homicide Detective, Kennedy O’Brien, and her temporary partner, Reno Homicide Detective Hunt, race to stop a deranged predator who claims a new victim every forty-eight hours. The killer drugs his victims, slashes their wrists, and leaves a playing card with the body. As the clock continues to tick, the search for clues seems easy—too easy Kennedy suspects.
While chasing the killer, Kennedy must also try to control hotheaded Detective Hunt, who is hell-bent on finding out who killed the first victim—his best friend’s father. At the same time, she has to deal with a jealous Nick Campenelli, whom she may or may not be in a relationship with. Nick is unhappy with Kennedy spending so much time in close contact with the very smitten, Detective Hunt. Tossed into the mix are her retired cop grandfather, her self-appointed personal domestic slave, Elvis, and a boss who is demanding answers.
Is it any wonder that Kennedy doesn’t do relationships?
About the Author:
Teri Riggs was destined to be a writer. As a small girl she didn’t read bedtime stories, she made up her own. Who needed Little Red Riding Hood or The Three Little Pigs when there were so many great tales bouncing around in her head? When she grew up and became a mother to three little girls, she continued the tradition of making up bedtime stories. On the occasions she chose to tell conventional fairytales, Teri usually gave them a bit of tweaking here and there or added a new ending. Her girls loved it.
After her daughters had the nerve to actually grow up and leave home, Teri discovered she had a passion for writing and jumped right in. It came as no surprise she chose to write mysteries and happily-ever-after’s since that’s the genres she loves to read.
Teri lives in Marietta, Georgia with her husband, one of her daughters and two dogs that seem to think they rule the world. And some days Teri thinks maybe they do.
Contact Details:
Enjoy the following excerpt for THE EYES OF VENGEANCE
Kennedy stared at a painting of Elvis…the real Elvis, in all his glory, and wearing one of his famous rhinestone jumpsuits. The King held a microphone still attached to the stand in one hand, and a scarf in the other. It was a painting of Elvis on a black velvet canvas, and God help her, there was an electrical cord hanging from the frame.
“So…is this not the coolest gift you’ve ever received? I thought having the King hanging around—no pun intended—might cheer you up. I don’t mind telling you, I took this work of art off my living room wall. Shows you how far I’ll go for a friend.” Elvis took the monstrosity out of her hands, removed her six hundred dollar original print of the Grand Canyon from the wall, and hung the King in its place.
Kennedy’s mouth dropped open, and for the life of her, she couldn’t get it to close. Elvis plugged in the dangling cord and the rhinestones on the jumpsuit Elvis wore on the canvas lit up like the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. The flashing lights set against the black velvet background, rivaled the neon signs and lights of the Vegas Strip.
Elvis stepped back, his eyes full of admiration and pride. “Well, what do you think?”
“I’m speechless, Elvis. Truly speechless.”
“I knew you’d be touched. This baby’s loaded with ninety-four LED lights capable of twinkling in double time or used as chasers. You pick the settings. This great piece of art was the inspiration for my own twinkling costumes.”
“I can see the resemblance.” She fought to keep a straight face.
Elvis sighed deeply.
“But…but…honestly? I can’t accept the gift. It belongs on your walls, twinkling in all its glory. I’d be selfish depriving you of the King.”
He held up his hands, shook his over-hair-sprayed Elvis head of hair with a dramatic flair. “No. I insist. This will cheer you up.”
“Let’s just say I’m borrowing Elvis until I get back to working full swing. I’ll be back to my old happy self by then.”
“If you insist. I’m warning you, though, once you’ve had Elvis hanging on your wall, you won’t be able to part with him. Believe me, the separation is painful.” He held a hand over his heart.
Was that a tear in his eye?
“We’ll cross that bridge later. For now, thank you for the gift. It’s…ah…truly unique. And big. And twinkly. I’ve never seen anything quite so—unique.”
Hopefully, she’d never see anything like it again.