{"id":3255,"date":"2025-10-15T04:40:29","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T04:40:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kmccullough.com\/kblog\/?p=3255"},"modified":"2025-10-13T15:36:36","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T15:36:36","slug":"unleashed-for-murder-first-excerpt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kmccullough.com\/kblog\/unleashed-for-murder-first-excerpt\/","title":{"rendered":"Unleashed for Murder – First Excerpt"},"content":{"rendered":"

Excerpt from Unleashed for Murder<\/strong><\/em>:<\/p>\n

Chapter 1<\/h1>\n

Tuesday<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"Settling disputes in the exhibit hall didn\u2019t appear anywhere in my formal job description as Assistant to the Director of the D.C. Market and Commerce Center, but I spent a lot of time doing it anyway. Janelle Addison, the Director and my boss, claimed she sent me into the breach so often because I was good at finding solutions and soothing ruffled feathers. So here I am: Heather McNeil, commercial events peace broker and diplomat.<\/p>\n

On that Tuesday morning, I wasn\u2019t being good at it. I was barely listening to the gripes being voiced. Fortunately, the complaint revolved around the booth next door, leased by the Pet Palace Company. The fact that the unfinished structure was also the cause of my distraction saved me from looking like a complete idiot.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss McNeil?\u201d Tom Pegram, president of Birds \u2018n\u2019 Buddies Company, according to his badge, shouted to get my attention again over the racket going on around us. Setup day for a trade show meant constantly squealing drills, pounding hammers, squeaks of carts and dollies, and the whine and beeping of forklifts. \u201cWe don\u2019t mind that the bottoms of the pillars overlap our space,\u201d he said. \u201cWe can work around that. But those overhangs are interfering with where we can put our display cases.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see what you mean,\u201d I murmured. And I did, even if that awareness was overshadowed by the splendor of the parts of the display already completed. I was gaping.<\/p>\n

Large, complex, creative, and elaborate booths weren\u2019t unusual at some of the bigger trade show events held here in the Market Center. I\u2019d even seen a couple of other displays that emulated castles. But I wasn\u2019t expecting it at a pet products<\/em> trade show.<\/p>\n

Although the booth was still being put together, the general outline and pieces already in place offered a pretty good idea of the final display. The area comprised eight standard ten-by-ten-foot spaces at the back of the aisle.<\/p>\n

Faux brick columns, probably eight feet tall, gaudily decorated with red and gold swirls, stood at the four corners with two more in between on each side. The back wall, which separated the booth from the long rear aisle, was surfaced with faux stone, leaving openings for display screens or banners yet to be installed. Tapestries threaded in red and gold hung between some of the columns, showing representations of throne-shaped pet beds, feeding stations that looked like miniature banquet tables, and carriers fit for a king\u2014or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.<\/p>\n

The company logo blessed the top of each column, showing a stylized dog, cat, and guinea pig in a group, each wearing a crown.<\/p>\n

The source of Pegram\u2019s complaint was a series of oriel-type windows projecting off between the columns that would likely hold product displays once completed. On this side, those protrusions would hang over into the booths beside them.<\/p>\n

The answer should be simple. Remove the protruding windows or invert them into niches for display. Convincing the booth\u2019s owner to make that change might not be so straightforward.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss McNeil?\u201d Pegram\u2019s voice brought my attention back to him again and the problem at hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeather, please,\u201d I said, turning away from the glories of the Pet Palace with an effort.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeather,\u201d he repeated. \u201cI was hoping we could resolve this now, before their booth is finished.\u201d Behind him, a man pushed a cart loaded with stacked cages into their area and another finished setting up a backdrop with a logo for the Birds \u2018n\u2019 Buddies Company.<\/p>\n

I nodded. \u201cGood idea to handle the problem now. Do you know who\u2019s in charge?\u201d I waited for a loud round of drilling to finish before I continued, still at something of a yell. \u201cIs he or she there now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Pegram rubbed a spot above his right eyebrow. I wondered if the noise was giving him as much of a headache as I was developing. \u201cThat\u2019s a bit of a problem,\u201d he said, the last word rising over the beeping of a forklift backing up. \u201cThe owners.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re not there now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. I\u2019m told they\u2019re a pair of retired NFL players who\u2014\u201d He broke off, looking up the aisle. \u201cWait. Good! I think this is them coming now.\u201d<\/p>\n

I looked in the direction he indicated and blinked. I expected a couple of people but what I saw was almost a parade.<\/p>\n

Marching up the aisle toward us, or more accurately, toward the Pet Palace, the group of men looked like they\u2019d fit better at a big-time sporting event. I counted six, and three of them were among the largest human beings I\u2019ve ever seen. Four of the group were obviously bodyguards. In fact, they were so\u2026bodyguard-ish, it was almost comical. Like wannabe Secret Service agents with their dark suits, sunglasses (in here!), and earphones. I checked their waists. They didn\u2019t appear to be carrying weapons, in keeping with Center policy prohibiting firearms. Given the size of some of their hands, their fists could be just as intimidating.<\/p>\n

Enclosed in the box formed by the bodyguards were the two ex-NFL football players, or so I presumed. The Black man was tall enough to tower over even the large bodyguards, maybe six foot six. He was slimmer than the others but still solidly built, with broad shoulders. If I stood next to him, I\u2019d probably be staring at his belt buckle. The White man with him was a few inches shorter and at least sixty pounds heavier, but none of it was fat. From the very wide shoulders down to legs like tree trunks, he was solidly, almost massively, built. Both were good looking in the way of strong, fit, successful men who could afford superior grooming and tailoring.<\/p>\n

Everyone around paused to gawk as they passed. Meanwhile, the two men stared at their phones, apparently oblivious to the audience. I supposed they were used to crowds going quiet when they approached. Focusing on their screens might be a calculated move to discourage unwanted approaches.<\/p>\n

People flowing up and down the aisle on their own business stepped aside to give them room. Dollies and carts were pulled out of the way. One man almost bumped into me as he dodged, but his attention was glued to the passing celebrities.<\/p>\n

The group marched by us and into the Pet Palace booth, where they huddled in a corner for a moment while the bodyguards spread out, each taking a position on a side. A third, suited man arrived from the opposite direction, alone, and joined the two players. The group consulted with one of the workmen putting the display together, and I watched them pointing at various features of the columns and walls.<\/p>\n

The man who\u2019d almost knocked into me let out an awestruck breath. \u201cThat was Norm Charlton. He still holds the Dallas team record for sacks in a season by a linebacker.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich one was that?\u201d I asked. I wanted to start putting names with faces since I\u2019d likely be dealing with them in the near future. I had no idea what the rest of his statement meant.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe shorter, White dude,\u201d the star-struck man answered. \u201cThe other is Ray Becker. Wide Receiver. He\u2019d\u2019ve set the record for catches his last year if he hadn\u2019t messed up a knee.\u201d Star-struck stared at the booth where the two men now appeared displeased with a banner. \u201cI hope they\u2019ll have an autograph session at some point. I\u2019ll be there. Anyway, I\u2019d better get back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAutograph session,\u201d I muttered. \u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt actually would be a good idea,\u201d Pegram said. \u201cThough it might mean lines in front of our booth. We can hand out our sales sheets to people while they\u2019re waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n

We both watched as a very young man, maybe still a teenager, in a work jumpsuit approached the booth. One of the bodyguards stepped into his path and said, \u201cSorry. No one on the premises except staff today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019d hoped\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d The guard\u2019s word and glare held so much menace the young man dropped back and turned quickly away.<\/p>\n

I watched and sighed silently. They wouldn\u2019t be turning me<\/em> away that easily, but I wasn\u2019t looking forward to the confrontation. \u201cI\u2019ll have a talk with them and see what I can do,\u201d I told Pegram.<\/p>\n

He wished me luck. I braced myself as I walked the few steps to the next booth.<\/p>\n

As expected, the minute I set foot on the Pet Palace carpet, one of the hulking security guards stepped in front of me. \u201cNo one is allowed to enter now.\u201d A hint of menace laced through the authoritative tone.<\/p>\n

I held up my badge. \u201cHeather McNeil, assistant to the director of the Market Center. I need to talk to the people in charge of this booth right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

The guard\u2019s eyes narrowed, but he hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Market Center staff and I need<\/em> to talk to the person in charge.\u201d I put more volume and authority into it this time. A momentary lull in the background noise made the words ring surprisingly loud in the relative quiet.<\/p>\n

All three of the men consulting in the corner turned toward me. The one I\u2019d been told was Norm Charlton said, \u201cLet her by.\u201d<\/p>\n

The guard\u2019s lip curled before he nodded curtly and stepped aside. I approached the group of three men and introduced myself again. Norm Charlton\u2014a glance at his badge confirmed the name\u2014identified himself and waved to the other two men. \u201cRay Becker,\u201d he said, indicating the very tall Black man, \u201cand this is our company president, Sam Vinson.\u201d Vinson, also Black, though his skin was lighter, was shorter than the other two and less bulky. All three men held out their hands to shake.<\/p>\n

Vinson\u2019s handshake was quick and business-like; Becker\u2019s felt strong but controlled; Charlton held on tightly and a little too long. His stare lingered a few seconds on my chest, but he wasn\u2019t looking at my badge. \u201cWhat can we do for you?\u201d Vinson asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour guards aren\u2019t going to be good for business, if they turn away everyone who tries to enter the booth,\u201d I remarked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose orders are for today.\u201d Charlton sounded aggravated but I wasn\u2019t sure if my comment or the guards themselves had sparked his irritation.<\/p>\n

Vinson threw Charlton a glance that seemed to both warn and commiserate at the same time. \u201cIt\u2019s for everyone\u2019s safety while the booth is being constructed, and the show is getting underway. They\u2019ll just be keeping watch tomorrow,\u201d he promised.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. But that\u2019s not why I\u2019m here.\u201d I explained the problem of the overhangs. The three men accompanied me to the side as I showed them how their booth would interfere with the neighbors\u2019 displays, then suggested the fix I\u2019d come up with.<\/p>\n

Vinson\u2019s face tightened in obvious annoyance. \u201cSomeone\u2019s complaining?\u201d He stared at the people in the Birds \u2018n\u2019 Buddies booth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re doing you a favor by pointing out the problem now.\u201d I doubted it would mollify him, but I try to keep the peace. He turned the hard glare back to me as I continued. \u201cYou are over your allotted area, and we take the boundaries seriously. It should be easier to fix now, before everything is finished, and you have to take things apart again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s got a point, Sam,\u201d Charlton said.<\/p>\n

Vinson sighed, shook his head, and called over one of the men who\u2019d been working on the booth. \u201cBring the booth plans,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The man retrieved the layouts from a table at the side and spread them on a tall box near us.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow hard would it be to turn those shelves around?\u201d Vinson pointed to the protruding windows and looked at the plans, trying to match the place.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably not too hard,\u201d the builder answered. \u201cLet me look at the brackets.\u201d He departed, leaving an uneasy silence behind. We watched him climb a bit of scaffolding and poke around at one of the faux windows in question.<\/p>\n

While we waited, Charlton turned to me with a grin that lit his hazel eyes and showed charming dimples. \u201cHave you worked here long?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

I hadn\u2019t forgotten the way he\u2019d ogled my chest earlier, but he was being helpful so I could go along with the friendliness now. \u201cSix years,\u201d I answered. \u201cStarted as a clerk, doing mostly data entry, then was promoted to assistant to the director.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t that usually more of a clerical job?\u201d Charlton asked. He looked me in the eye, giving the impression of genuine interest.<\/p>\n

I wasn\u2019t sure if the display of charm was personal or a general reflex. \u201cUsually, I guess. But the director\u2019s biggest need turned out to be someone to handle all the minor complaints and problems she gets bombarded with, and it seems I\u2019m pretty good at that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you ever\u2014?\u201d Charlton\u2019s question was cut off by the return of the builder.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot as easy as I hoped,\u201d he reported, \u201cbut not as hard as it could be. Good thing you brought it up now, though. Be easier to do it before we put on the caps and hang the rest of the banners.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you get it done today and still finish the rest?\u201d Ray Becker spoke up for the first time. Despite a distinct Southern drawl, his voice was deep and resonant, adding dramatic weight to the simple request.<\/p>\n

The builder scrunched his nose and looked around. \u201cYeah, I think so. Maybe add half an hour to the work. Let me get one of my guys on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Charlton said to him, then turned to me. \u201cAnd thank you, too, for bringing this to our attention.\u201d<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t expect to be thanked; just the opposite, in fact, so I was startled by it. I was also fairly sure the charm was a reflex directed, most likely, at any reasonably attractive woman in the area. Still, I responded to it with a smile of my own. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome. Thank you for making my job a little easier.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vinson shook his head and said to Charlton, \u201cWe need to get the coverage schedule finalized and plan for Friday\u2019s party.\u201d Becker nodded toward the back corner where a small table held a clutter of papers, pens, and two half-empty water bottles. He stared at Charlton until the latter turned to join them at the table. I had an odd impression that they were deliberately steering Charlton away from me.<\/p>\n

I gave the Pet Palace a last look as I headed away. I suspected there would be additional problems, and I\u2019d be back before the show was over.<\/p>\n

I had no idea then how bad it was going to get.<\/p>\n

**************<\/p>\n

Pre-order ebook here:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kindle:\u00a0https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0FVG552CL<\/a>
\nNook: https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/unleashed-for-murder-karen-mccullough\/1148502547<\/a>
\nOther formats: https:\/\/books2read.com\/u\/bMvkV5<\/a><\/p>\n

Murder crashes the pet products trade show\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The Pet Palace booth is the undisputed crown jewel of the pet products trade show, and its owners, two retired pro football players, bring their own brand of star power to the sale of high-end, luxury gear. When one of them dies at the show, however, he leaves behind jealous competitors, angry suppliers, a line of women he pumped and dumped, and a fianc\u00e9e he may not even have known about.<\/p>\n

Heather McNeil\u2019s job as assistant to the director of the D.C. Market and Commerce Center is mostly about keeping events running smoothly, dealing with disputes, accidents, and conflict. She never signed on for solving murders, but sometimes it\u2019s part of the job, too.<\/p>\n

Amid the plethora of cozy canine couture, upscale pet feeding stations, slick kitty litter boxes, and unmentionable lizard foods, Heather has to sort through the human emotions at play and follow the clues to a killer, all while dealing with her own personal heartbreak.<\/p>\n

Pre-order ebook here:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kindle:\u00a0https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0FVG552CL<\/a>
\nNook: https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/unleashed-for-murder-karen-mccullough\/1148502547<\/a>
\nOther formats: https:\/\/books2read.com\/u\/bMvkV5<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Excerpt from Unleashed for Murder: Chapter 1 Tuesday Settling disputes in the exhibit hall didn\u2019t appear anywhere in my formal job description as Assistant to the Director of the D.C. Market and Commerce Center, but I spent a lot of …<\/span> Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,256,18],"tags":[448,427,293],"class_list":["post-3255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-books","category-market-center-mysteries","category-mysteries","tag-mystery","tag-pet-products","tag-trade-show-mysteries"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kmccullough.com\/kblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3255","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kmccullough.com\/kblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kmccullough.com\/kblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kmccullough.com\/kblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kmccullough.com\/kblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3255"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kmccullough.com\/kblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3255\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3260,"href":"https:\/\/kmccullough.com\/kblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3255\/revisions\/3260"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kmccullough.com\/kblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3255"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kmccullough.com\/kblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3255"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kmccullough.com\/kblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}