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Familiar Lullaby
Caroline Burnes
MYSTERY BABY ON THE DOORSTEP!Patience and calmness under fire always got police detective Mel Haskin what he wanted. But he was fast losing both – because of Lily Markey. The fiery-haired, jade-eyed reporter refused to tell him what she knew about the baby boy who'd appeared on a high-society doorstep. And what she knew could get her killed.So Mel vowed to stick to Lily as closely as the black cat who followed her everywhere. Because his badge demanded it… or was it his heart?
“Are you here alone?”
Lily bit her bottom lip. “Yes,” she said. “I came out here for some privacy.”
Something in the way she lowered her gaze made Mel suspicious. Lily wasn’t a very good liar. Who was she protecting? His gaze drifted toward the stairs. He stood and walked that way.
Lily darted around him, blocking his path. “Unless you have a search warrant, you can’t go there,” she said.
She wasn’t backing off an inch, and he felt his estimation of her rise. She was a pain to deal with, but he liked the way she handled herself. Mel took a step closer.
Lily held her ground and looked up at him. Her eyes were an amazing swirl of color. He found himself unable to glance away.
When he finally did, it was down to her lips. They were full and generous and just slightly parted. Almost as if they were awaiting a…kiss.
Way back in his brain, a tiny voice told him he was insane, that he was committing professional suicide, that he was acting on an impulse he would regret.
He didn’t listen.
He lowered his lips slowly to hers.
Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,
All the evidence is in! And it would be a crime if you didn’t “Get Caught Reading” this May. So follow the clues to your favorite bookstore to pick up some great tips.
This month Harlequin Intrigue has the distinguished privilege of launching a brand-new Harlequin continuity series with three of our top authors. TRUEBLOOD, TEXAS is a story of family and fortitude set in the great Lone Star state. We are pleased to give you your first look into this compelling drama with Someone’s Baby by Dani Sinclair. Look for books from B.J. Daniels and Joanna Wayne to follow in the months ahead. You won’t want to miss even a single detail!
Your favorite feline detective is back in Familiar Lullaby by Caroline Burnes. This time, Familiar’s ladylove Clotilde gets in on the action when a baby is left on a high-society doorstep. Join a feisty reporter and a sexy detective as they search for the solution and find true love in this FEAR FAMILIAR mystery.
Our TOP SECRET BABIES promotion concludes this month with Conception Cover-Up by Karen Lawton Barrett. See how far a father will go to protect his unborn child and the woman he loves. Finally, Carly Bishop takes you out West for a showdown under a blaze of bullets in No One But You, the last installment in her LOVERS UNDER COVER trilogy.
So treat yourself to all four. You won’t be disappointed.
Sincerely,
Denise O’Sullivan
Associate Senior Editor
Harlequin Intrigue
Familiar Lullaby
Caroline Burnes
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Caroline Burnes continues her life as doorman and can opener for her six cats and three dogs. E.A. Poe, the prototype cat for Familiar, rules as king of the ranch, followed by his lieutenants, Miss Vesta, Gumbo, Chester, Maggie the Cat and Ash. The dogs, though a more lowly life form, are tolerated as foot soldiers by the cats. They are Sweetie Pie, Maybelline and Corky.
Books by Caroline Burnes
HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE
86—A DEADLY BREED
100—MEASURE OF DECEIT
115—PHANTOM FILLY
134—FEAR FAMILIAR* (#litres_trial_promo)
154—THE JAGUAR’S EYE
186—DEADLY CURRENTS
204—FATAL INGREDIENTS
215—TOO FAMILIAR* (#litres_trial_promo)
229—HOODWINKED
241—FLESH AND BLOOD
256—THRICE FAMILIAR* (#litres_trial_promo)
267—CUTTING EDGE
277—SHADES OF FAMILIAR* (#litres_trial_promo)
293—FAMILIAR REMEDY* (#litres_trial_promo)
322—FAMILIAR TALE* (#litres_trial_promo)
343—BEWITCHING FAMILIAR* (#litres_trial_promo)
399—A CHRISTMAS KISS
409—MIDNIGHT PREY
426—FAMILIAR HEART* (#litres_trial_promo)
452—FAMILIAR FIRE* (#litres_trial_promo)
485—REMEMBER ME, COWBOY
502—FAMILIAR VALENTINE* (#litres_trial_promo)
525—AFTER DARK
“Familiar Stranger”* (#litres_trial_promo)
542—FAMILIAR CHRISTMAS* (#litres_trial_promo)
554—TEXAS MIDNIGHT
570—FAMILIAR OBSESSION* (#litres_trial_promo)
614—FAMILIAR LULLABY* (#litres_trial_promo)
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Familiar—When a mysterious basket arrive son the feline detective’s doorstep—and starts crying!—Familiar knows it’s time to go to work.
Clotilde—Familiar’s ladylove proves that a female kitty is always useful in times of crisis.
Lily Markey—The stubborn reporter will do what it takes to protect a mother and baby.
Mel Haskin—His past makes him doubly protective of an abandoned baby, and he knows Lily can help him solve the case—if she cooperates.
Susie Bishop—She made the ultimate sacrifice to save her baby.
Wayman Bishop—The mayor’s slick right-hand man has his fingers in a lot of pies.
Jim Lavert—When a cop turns bad, there’s nowhere to go but down.
Margie Lavert—Jim’s widow is very helpful. Too helpful?
Rose and Preston Johnson—The wealthy couple has everything—except the child they’ve always longed for.
Baby David—The cause of all the ruckus.
To all of Familiar’s fans, and especially to those who repeatedly asked to see more of Clotilde.
Contents
Chapter One (#ub6fbe686-5746-52e8-bfa9-ada9f74000d1)
Chapter Two (#ude6dfec5-e8d6-546a-8619-ced7e32bb89d)
Chapter Three (#u3c97d079-03bd-5caa-98fc-8b5ab12f92d1)
Chapter Four (#u73897bf3-6ce2-5262-8809-bcea45ac6502)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One
It’s a party! Orchestra, glittering gowns, laughter, the sparkle of jewels and conversation. In attendance, the crème de la crème of Washington society. Not to be a name-dropper, but there’s George Stephanopoulos. And over in the corner, another powerful pundit, George Will. Gads, none of the common reporter breed! And I see Senator Finances and the First Lady of Law and Order herself. Yes, Preston and Rose have created another successful power evening! Clotilde can be proud of her humanoids. I noticed earlier that the television vans were parked on the street. No working press invited tonight, but they’ll be eager to film who comes in and out of the party.
Power, prestige and purr-fectly prepared food—this is absolutely the setting for a few smooth moves and some hanky-panky from a swanky black feline. Speaking of beauteous kitties, where is Clotilde? I’m out on the veranda, picnic spread, waiting to woo my love with sumptuous tidbits I’ve purloined from the various buffet tables. And Clotilde keeps me waiting. Isn’t that just like a feline?
So I have a little time to recheck the menu. I have some smoked salmon with cream cheese spread and caviar. A little salty for my taste, but Clotilde loves it. Honestly, the way that caterer acted when he caught me snatching it off the table, you’d think it was gold bullion.
Now some escargots—yum. Fascinating what garlic and butter will do for a snail. A bit of beef, a sampling of roasted pork, some cheeses. I’d say I covered all the bases. As for dessert, that’s something I want to save for later, if you get my drift.
The night is a little chill for the humanoids, which means they’ll stay inside. Clotilde and I will have the lovely veranda all to ourselves. We can still hear the music and watch the bipeds do the dance of power and politics. And we can dine at leisure, without censure or interruption. Goodness, after my last case in New Orleans I’m glad to be home. I think I might have to take a breather from the P.I. business. I think a few weeks of Clotilde…what’s that?
Someone is climbing over the wall in Preston’s backyard. The guest list was exclusive, but I hardly think this party is worth breaking and entering. A sleek, elegant black shadow—hey, it could be me if I were a biped. Except this one is a woman! I wonder if it’s one of those pushy media types.
No, she’s carrying a basket. A big basket. And she’s being very, very careful not to be seen. I think this must be one of those surprise delivery services. You know, the ones that drop off expensive gifts in deadly secret. Let me say, I highly approve of this delivery gal. She’s got a pair of gams that Ginger Rogers would envy—long, lean and well-muscled. And the torso sitting on top of them screams “kick-boxing fool.” She climbed that wall like it wasn’t twelve feet of solid cement. And she can crouch and run—a talent for a biped, and don’t forget it.
The basket is pretty heavy, too. And she’s leaving it on the veranda. Very stealthy lady. A secret gift basket. Someone has sent Clotilde’s humans a lovely basket of food for the party. And guess what! I’m going to make sure there’s nothing in there that might make a humanoid sick. That’s part of my feline duties—to consume any suspicious foodstuffs. I’ll just give bat-woman another second to fly back over the wall…. Now I can make my move on the food basket. I hope it’s a good, salty ham. It looked to weigh about ten pounds or so.
There’s just nothing like a ham—uh, oh, this ain’t no smoked piglet. It’s alive and kicking, and it’s about to start crying for mama. That woman abandoned a baby! A real, live humanoid of the smaller version. A humanette. A muchacha. A bambino. A babette.
Oh, my goodness. It’s so newborn its eyes can’t focus. She can’t see Uncle Familiar hovering over her. And it’s too cool out on this veranda for a baby! What was that woman thinking?
Thank goodness, here’s Clotilde. One look at the little bambino and I can see a plan in her eyes. Yes, I know Rose and Preston have wanted a baby for years. Yes, I know they’d make perfect, loving parents. Yes, I know they could give a child all the advantages. But that doesn’t negate the fact that this child belongs to someone—someone who climbed a wall and dumped it here.
