What usually happens when you go out to dinner with friends, Dru? That’s what I thought. You’re served a pleasant, enjoyable and peaceful meal. What happens when I go out to dinner with friends? I’m served crime á la mode.

After a long workday at the movie studio, I’m famished. It’s not easy being junior attorney for a boss who’s mostly MIA. I was so looking forward to the celebratory dinner for a Deputy District Attorney that’s helped me on a few of my under the radar PI cases, which is the only way I fly. We met at Big Sam’s Diner, and I ordered the crispy chicken sandwich with spicy slaw and chili cheese fries. So, when everyone at my table was served but me, I waited. . .patiently. No, Dru, my weapons never left my purse. I didn’t want to spoil the festive mood. Okay, I grumbled a little or maybe a lot, but I insisted everyone eat without me.

Fifteen minutes ticked by. My tablemates were nearly done, and my stomach was grumbling big-time. I got up and hunted down our server. Wasn’t easy; the restaurant was jam-packed, but I muscled my way through the crowd and found her. She insisted I’d already been served, can you believe it? That didn’t go over very well. I headed for the manager. When I passed by the hostess, I noticed the cash register drawer sat wide open exposing wads and wads of cash. That’s when I first spotted the guy. There was nothing unusual about him, except for the hoodie over his head and the dark shades. But plenty of people in Los Angeles dressed that way, even at night.

When he edged his way closer to the cash register, I realized a robbery was about to take place. No, Dru, this is not the part where I pull out my weapons. Didn’t need to because I was wrong. The guy slid right past the register, making his way toward the rear of the restaurant.

Just as I was about to confront the manager, I glanced back at the guy in the shades. The bottom edge of his hoodie had caught onto the leaf of an ornamental ficus, revealing the top of his jeans. The grip of a gun stuck out of his pocket. When he reached for the gun, I dashed toward him as fast as I could.

Before I could tackle him, he’d fired a shot toward the back. He turned and rocketed for the exit. I grabbed his ankle and held on for dear life. He dragged me along until I finally lost my grip. I jumped to my feet and. . .what, Dru? No, I still didn’t pull out any weapons. Because I’d left them in my purse under the table!

I chased the shooter into the parking lot. Armed and dangerous is not a good combo to let loose in the world. I searched everywhere, but there was no sign of the gunman. Just as I turned to leave, there he was, making a run for it down the alley. I sprinted after him. It was my second chance to nab him. He was all mine. Or so I thought.

Slightly Murderous Intent is the fourth book in the “Southern California Mystery” series, paperback released October 20, 2020.

There’s a shooter on the loose who keeps missing his target. But that doesn’t stop him from trying again. . .and again. It’s up to rookie lawyer and spunky sleuth, Corrie Locke, to find the gunman before he hits his mark. . .Assistant Deputy D.A. James Zachary, Corrie’s hunky and complicated frenemy.

When Corrie is stuck with more questions than answers, she enlists a team with various strengths, weapons and cooking skills to help her find the shooter. Computer whiz/boyfriend Michael is onboard. So is former security guard, Veera. Toss in an over-the-hill informant and a couple of feuding celebrity chefs and Corrie’s got her very own A-Team. Okay, maybe it’s more like a B-Team. Can Team Corrie hunt down the shooter before he scores a bulls-eye?

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About the author
Lida Sideris’ first stint after law school was a newbie lawyer’s dream: working as an entertainment attorney for a movie studio. . .kind of like her heroine, Corrie Locke, except without the homicides. Lida was one of two national winners of the Helen McCloy Mystery Writers of America Scholarship Award for her first book. She lives in the northern tip of Southern California with her family, rescue dogs and a flock of uppity chickens. To learn more about Lida, please visit her website at LidaSideris.com. 

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