A Justified Murder Read online

  New York Times bestselling romance author Jude Deveraux continues her breakout Medlar Mystery series with a twisted tale of guilt and revenge...

  The small town of Lachlan, Florida, was rocked last year when two bodies were uncovered in the roots of a fallen tree. Despite their lack of investigative experience, Sara Medlar; her niece, Kate; and Jack Wyatt found themselves at the center of the mystery, working together to reveal the truth behind a decades-old secret in the sleepy town. After a narrow escape, they vowed to never again involve themselves in something so dangerous—until Janet Beeson is murdered.

  When Janet’s body is discovered, everyone is shocked by the violence of the attack. The sweet little old woman has been shot, stabbed and poisoned, but no one can imagine who would want to harm one of the town’s kindest, most helpful residents.

  Sara, Kate and Jack are determined to leave this case to the professionals. But they are soon bombarded by townspeople eager to tell their stories and clear their names with the trio who solved the Morris murders. Even the sheriff is hoping they’ll lend their skills to a crime that seems to have no explanation and no motive. And once the town gets talking, they begin to see that there are more secrets buried in quiet Lachlan than anyone could have imagined...

  Lachlan, Florida

  Kate didn’t faint as she’d done the last time she’d seen a dead body, but she did sway on her feet. Considering what she was looking at, it was a wonder she didn’t hit the floor. There was a bullet hole in the woman’s head, a huge knife in her chest close to her heart, and— Was that something at the side of her mouth green?

  Behind Kate, Jack put his hands on her shoulders to steady her.

  In the distance they could hear what sounded like the sirens of an army of squad cars coming toward them.

  Praise for the novels of Jude Deveraux

  “The mystery debut of bestselling romance author Deveraux...starts with an unhappily-ever-after—an unsolved murder. But its heroine, a romance novelist, has a better ending in mind. Fans of Deveraux and the cozy mystery genre will find common ground in this twisted tale of forgotten graves, small-town grudges, and new friends.”

  —Kirkus Reviews on A Willing Murder

  “With three stories told two ways, this third book in Deveraux’s Summerhouse series is emotional, imaginative, and gloriously silly.”

  —Kirkus Reviews on As You Wish

  “Deveraux’s charming novel has likable characters and life-affirming second chances galore.”

  —Publishers Weekly on As You Wish

  “Jude Deveraux’s writing is enchanting and exquisite.”

  —BookPage

  “Deveraux’s touch is gold.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “A steamy and delightfully outlandish retelling of a literary classic.”

  —Kirkus Reviews on The Girl from Summer Hill

  “[A]n irresistibly delicious tale of love, passion, and the unknown.”

  —Booklist on The Girl from Summer Hill

  “[A] sexy, lighthearted romp.”

  —Kirkus Reviews on Ever After

  “Thoroughly enjoyable.”

  —Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Ever After

  JUDE DEVERAUX

  A Justified Murder

  Also by Jude Deveraux and MIRA Books

  Medlar Mysteries

  A WILLING MURDER

  The Summerhouse Series

  AS YOU WISH

  For additional books by

  New York Times bestselling author Jude Deveraux,

  visit her website, www.jude-deveraux.com.

  Jude Deveraux is the author of forty-three New York Times bestsellers, including Sweet Liar, the Nantucket series and A Knight in Shining Armor. She was honored with an RT Book Reviews Pioneer Award in 2013 for her distinguished career. To date, there are more than sixty million copies of her books in print worldwide.

  Jude-Deveraux.com

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  One

  LACHLAN, FLORIDA

  DORA FOUND THE BODY—and all she felt was annoyance. Now she’d have to find someone else to clean for to fill out the week. Mrs. Beeson—as she insisted on being called even though there was no evidence that she’d ever had a husband—had been a good employer. She always left a hundred-dollar bill, always said thanks. At Christmas, she left an envelope containing three crisp, new one hundreds and a card that wished her a merry holiday.

  Now here she was, slumped forward in the chair, face on her knees. There was a hole in the back of her head. Blood and...stuff was on the wall behind her. Dora didn’t see a gun but she guessed it was squashed between her belly and thighs.

  Dora knew she ought to call the sheriff. But if she hadn’t cleaned the house yet, would she have a right to take the envelope on the desk that had her name on it?

  She could almost hear her late husband, Herbert, chiding her. “Shouldn’t you feel sorry for her?” he’d say. “Poor thing was so sad that she took her own life. Didn’t she have friends who could help her?”

  “Not that I know of,” Dora said aloud, then caught herself. She tried to keep Herbert’s voice to herself and not let anyone know how often she heard it.

  She went around the body, picked up the envelope, and put it in her pocket. For a moment, she looked out the window at the palm trees and thought of what her beloved Herbert would advise. She knew she needed to work up some sympathy, maybe even some tears, for Mrs. Beeson. It wouldn’t do to call Sheriff Flynn sounding like she couldn’t care less that her employer had just offed herself. With her shoulders braced, Dora made the call.

  Deputy Beatrice answered.

  “Oh, Bea.” Dora was nearly choking on the memory of Herbert’s funeral. “The most awful thing has happened.”

  “Take a breath,” Bea said, “and tell me what it is.”

  “Janet Beeson killed herself.”

  Bea didn’t hesitate. “We’ll be right there and don’t touch anything. Absolutely nothing.”

  “I won’t.” Dora clicked off the phone, and her tears dried immediately. “Damn!” she muttered and put her pay envelope back on the desk. With a resentful glare at Mrs. Beeson’s body, she sat down in the living room to wait for whoever was going to show up.

  * * *

  Sheriff Daryl Flynn was the first to arrive on the scene. After Bea told him what happened, he hadn’t gone tearing away, sirens blaring. It wasn’t a criminal act, but the suicide of a sad old woman. He knew that Janet Beeson lived alone. He didn’t think she’d even had any pets. Maybe the Lachlan website should include that article he’d read about how pets are good for old people and prisoners.

  As he drove, taking his time, he realized he hadn’t been this far out on San Remo Avenue in a while and he saw that the local super-Realtor, Tayla Kirkwood, had been at work here. The houses looked as manicured as the ones inside those fancy gated communities down in Plantation. For himself, sometimes