A Masterpiece & a Murder: Robinson Family Detective Agency, #6

Copyright © 2022 Brittany E. Brinegar

Cover Design © 2022 Britt Lizz

All rights reserved

BRITT LIZZ PUBLISHING COMPANY

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Created with Atticus

Contents

About the Book

1.Royal Pains

2.The Office

3.Better Call Oscar

4.Body of Proof

5.All in the Family

6.Person of Interest

7.Vegas

8.White Collar

9.Murder She Wrote

10.Once Upon a Time

11.Leverage

12.Bewitched

13.Night Court

14.Rizzoli and Isles

15.Cheers

16.Friday Night Lights

17.In Plain Sight

18.Lie To Me

19.Eureka

20.Alias

21.How to Get Away with Murder

22.Castle

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About the Author

Books by Britt

About the Book

Solving this case might be her claim to frame.

Over the past five years, the Sunlight Swindler has stolen priceless paintings in broad daylight without a trace. And now he’s escalating to murder.

A lead from a nefarious source brings Becky Robinson and her fellow detectives closer to the thief than ever before. But when one of their own is arrested, she must go undercover to unravel the frame job.

Can Becky find the truth and save the agency from scandal? Or will the Sunlight Swindler disappear into the starry night?

Get ready to laugh your way through crime with this hilarious cozy mystery series. The heroine is clumsy, the suspects are quirky, and the mysteries are puzzling.

Get all the books in the

Robinson Family Detective Agency series!

1. Red Herrings & Pink Flamingos

2. McGuffins & Birdies

3. A Hoax & a Hex

4. A Patsy & a Pastry

5. A Trick & a Pony

6. A Masterpiece & a Murder

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1

Royal Pains

When the FBI busted into our office to arrest the Sunlight Swindler, I instinctively turned to Mr. Swallow as he was the most likely candidate. But the Feds waltzed by the notorious thief and slapped the cuffs on one of our own – a twist I never saw coming.

Why did they think Jessy Robinson was the Sunlight Swindler? Among those in the room with the highest odds of committing the crime, he ranked near the bottom. Didn’t he?

Despite the shocking conclusion to the morning meeting, I left the pizzeria without answers. I was due on set for the filming of the Marked for Mercy pilot. And as a guest star with two lines, I didn’t possess the clout to switch days.

Guilt ate at my stomach like a pulsing ulcer as the makeup woman tried to cover my puffy eyes. Hollywood didn’t offer second chances. If I failed to show up for filming, I would lose the part and tank my career.

I scrunched my nose. A few hours away wouldn’t doom Jessy’s case, especially with everyone else picking up the slack. Stephen followed the squad car to the station to deal with arraignment and bail. Ricardo called his sources at the Bureau for the inside scoop. And Granny covered Jessy’s open cases. They didn’t need me.

Then why did I feel so guilty? I spent the entire morning on a television set and I’d yet to enjoy a single moment. Although Jessy’s arrest wasn’t the only thing affecting my mood.

I swiveled to the annoying woman glued to my hip all day. A familiar pattern for us. I first met Deborah Lane last Halloween when a cornfield killer chased us across the same movie farm. And as fate would have it, we were randomly reunited to play the camping sisters who discovered a body in the woods.

You’re a million miles away today. Totally not yourself, she said. What’s got you down, Charlie Brown?

I’m fine.

Not buying it. Deborah’s crazy eyes narrowed. Just because I haven’t seen you in 305 days doesn’t mean I don’t know you.

Family problems.

Well, your bad mood is starting to affect your acting. She marched with stiff knees. Tinman needs oil can.

My gaze darted from the craft services table to the director and his posse. Thanks for the boost of confidence. I made my decision to leave the office and come to the shoot. The least I could do was give it my all. You’re right, Deborah.

Of course I am. Why are people always surprised to learn that? She slapped her forehead. Shoulda had a Snapple.

Anywho… I snagged a slider and a cookie and folded them in my napkin. I’m going to stretch my legs before we resume.

Where to? I’ll come with.

Didn’t you say something about practicing your spells? In addition to her clingy personality, the eccentric woman claimed to be a witch.

She snorted. No offense, Short-Round, but you’re super gullible.

Why would I take offense to that?

The whole witch thing last Halloween, I was in character.

We were extras in the horror movie. We weren’t playing characters. And you maintained the witchy thing throughout the murder investigation.

I’m method. She removed the napkin from the collar of her plaid shirt. Kinda like how you pretended to be the detective cracking the case.

I am a detective. And I did solve the murder.

She flashed an okay sign. Book ‘em Dano.

This isn’t me being method. I work at the Robinson Family Detective Agency with four other PIs.

How did you manage such a sweet gig?

My fake Uncle Albert left us ceramic flamingos with a note announcing his murder.

Deborah shook her head. No, no. We can come up with a better backstory.

It’s the truth.

Totally not believable, Short-Round.

Stop calling me that. I didn’t care about the jab at my height but the analogy made her Indiana Jones.

Here’s something to improve your persona. What if you’re on the run, ala Dr. Richard Kimble?

I pinched the bridge of my nose. What are you talking about?

"The Fugitive? Only one of the most iconic television shows of all time."

I don’t need to cobble a different character history. My life is interesting enough.

She rotated her finger around her ear in a cuckoo motion. Who is gonna buy you as a crafty girl detective putting murderers behind bars?

I’m going to the bathroom. Please don’t follow me.

Why would I want to follow you to the outhouse, weirdo?

Before I managed to ditch Deborah, the associate producer, David Kwan, intercepted us at the craft services table. Just the ladies I wanted to speak to. About your scene…

My stomach sank. Between the problems with Jessy and the Deborah annoyance, my first few takes left a lot of room for improvement. I feared a firing in my future. I’ll do better in the next take but I…

Don’t change a thing, everyone is loving you two. The bickering, the chemistry, all of it makes for a top-notch performance. He smoothed his yellow necktie. What would you say to an expanded role in the episode?

Excitement raced through my body before I fully comprehended his phrasing. Both of us?

Currently the Matlock sisters find the body, talk to a detective at the crime scene, and are never heard from again. Crow’s feet crinkled in the corner of Mr. Kwan's eyes. If your schedules permit, we want to add a few scenes where you’re interviewed as potential suspects.

Deborah smacked her hands together. Ba-da-ba-ba-ba I’m lovin’ it!

Both of us? I repeated. An increased role was music to my ears but working more with Deborah? Not so much.

We can’t continue with one sister and not the other. The associate producer tugged the headphones hanging from his neck. Not often enough actors shine so brightly in minor roles. I recognize your talent and commend you for a job well done. What do you say?

"Help me Obi-Kwan-Nobi You're my only hope."

That’s Deborah speak for she’s in, I said. When will we shoot the new scenes?

We are spending one more day at the farm and then we will switch to the permanent station house set. He scrolled through the schedule on his phone. The writers are working on the new scene so we should have something soon. Finding time to film will take some creativity.

Any time is fine, Deborah said. Our schedules are wide open. She has no life.

Sensational, my assistant will be in touch.

My breathing labored as I battled the conflicting emotions. Having an associate producer in your corner was a huge accomplishment. But how would I manage additional filming with the mess at the office?

I sighed. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

2

The Office

I waved takeout in front of my best friend who passed out on her keyboard. Lois, wake up. I brought breakfast tacos.

She swiped a hand at the bag. Five more minutes.

My gaze traveled to the excitable Jack Russell Terrier stretching in the rolling chair. I can’t promise they’ll still be here with Lorelai on the prowl.

Lois’ neck jerked and she stared at me with askew glasses. I fell asleep at my desk again?

At least you remembered to remove your contacts this time.

I feel terrible. She stretched her stiff back. Why do I feel so awful?

No idea. I’m usually refreshed and ready for the day after a solid thirty-minute sleep on my comfy desktop.

Why didn’t you come back to the office yesterday?

Filming finished at nine and then I took our pets for a walk.

I’m a horrible cat mom. How did I forget about Kitka? She slapped her forehead, covering the qwerty impression. Becky, we’re in so far over our heads.

Aren’t we always?

We can’t keep living two lives and succeeding at neither.

My grin faded. Why did it sound like Lois was giving up? Jessy’s arrest surprised us but we will clear his name and find the real Sunlight Swindler.

When? She shoved papers out of the way. We’re juggling too much. And you’re filming more scenes…

Is this about me leaving yesterday? Because I didn’t have a choice.

I’m not mad but…

I am. Stephen, the office weasel, dropped a folder on her keyboard. We’re working double overtime to help Jessy and you abandon us five minutes after the Feds bust in.

My stomach twisted into knots. I’m here now. Put me to work. What’s on the agenda?

Damage control, Stephen said. The press is making a mockery of our agency.

Lois rolled her eyes. Clearing Jessy is more important than saving face with Hollywood reporters.

Any update on the specific charges? I asked.

They held him overnight and he’s being arraigned this morning. Stephen blew on his glasses and wiped the lenses with his shirt. We’ll know more soon.

Despite the guilt trip, it didn’t sound like I missed much. I tossed Lorelai a piece of my tortilla as I marched to the kitchen. Anyone want a cup of coffee?

Stephen trailed me, eyes narrowed and jaw set. Where’s your friend keeping himself?

Who?

The art thief?

Mr. Swallow went into hiding after the close call with the FBI.

Did he now?

My forehead wrinkled. What’s with the subtext?

"Convenient he goes AWOL the