A Killing In The Market by Robert Dunn

About the book

Glamorous Newport Beach is once again the setting for collusion, investment fraud, and homicide. Investment advisor, Joe Harper, and his lovely attorney friend, Beth Manning, watch the sunset from the deck of the luxury yacht Sweet Deal, and reflect on their narrow escape. An attempt by Joe's ex father-in-law, Herbert Bronski, and his partner, Neil Wolff, to silence the couple by dumping them into the ocean has been frustrated. The two men's former accountant, Walt Miller, brought in the U.S. Coast Guard. Within hours a slick attorney secures the release of the two wealthy con-men. They leave the Newport Beach Police Station in a stretch-limo. Miller counters by turning the incriminating company books over to the district attorney.

A few days later, Beth tearfully confesses to Joe that she is reconciling with her husband. Joe's younger friend, Nancy Martino, provides comfort to him during this painful time. Joe discovers the joy of showing Nancy exciting places that she's never visited. She pays him back by helping him whip some of the better mixed-doubles teams at the Bay Tennis Club.

When Joe's newly purchased gun disappears, he arranges a strategy session with Miller at the Desert Springs Marriott. Nancy accompanies Joe to the desert. Miller brings his daughter. The men have their meeting on the golf-course while the ladies are basking pool-side. That night, as Joe and Nancy sip peach schnapps and dance to soft FM music in her hotel room, it becomes obvious that she's soon going to be more than just a friend. While enjoying Cafe' Mochas at a sidewalk table in Palm Springs, they spot Neil Wolff's vicious handyman. Wolff wants to make sure nobody testifies against him. After a desperate struggle atop the Palm Springs Tram, Joe knocks their knife wielding pursuer off of a shear cliff. Wolff is without a clue as to what has happened to his employee.

Joe leaves his office late one evening and finds Wolff waiting for him with a loaded revolver. Bronski shows up just in time to shoot Wolff with Joe's gun. The old man has done some creative cut-and-paste on several documents that will shift the criminal liability onto Wolff while giving Bronski control of all the money. Since Bronski has witnesses to what really happened will only get him into more trouble. Beth helps him concoct a believable story, then has the unpleasant task of dropping him off at Nancy's place. In the romantic moonlight out by the pool, Joe tells Nancy that he wants his future to be with her. When he mentions that he still needs a ride home she gives him a seductive smile and informs him that the only place she's going tonight is to back into her apartment.

Other Dunn Works...
A description of: "Flawed From Inception"
A description of: "Vice Squad 1942"