Ink Flamingos Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  PRAISE FOR THE TATTOO SHOP MYSTERIES

  Driven to Ink

  “Brett is a funny, clever gal, words that also describe the books in which she appears, which are always entertaining.”

  —Spinetingler Magazine

  “The latest in the cleverly designed Tattoo Shop Mystery series.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “Driven to Ink is a breath of fresh air. I felt like I was right there with Brett running through the Venetian, racing through the brightly lit streets of Las Vegas, and smelling the ink of the tattoo parlor. Each character in Karen E. Olson’s cozy leaps off the pages and has such an interesting personality, side stories could be written. Driven to Ink is a fun, high-paced mystery that will keep you interested from start to finish.”

  —The Romance Readers Connection

  “Brett is a no-nonsense heroine who just can’t help but find herself in the thick of things. She is smart, quick-witted, and fits in well with the Las Vegas crowd . . . a great addition to the Tattoo Shop Mysteries.”

  —Once Upon a Romance

  Pretty in Ink

  “A nonstop action amateur sleuth mystery starring a brave, strong heroine who thinks outside the crypt—something needed on this deadly case. The support cast adds humor and suspense (even offstage) to this well-constructed, complex whodunit. With a touch of romance to augment the deep look at another side of Vegas, fans will enjoy the second Tattoo Shop Mystery.”

  —The Best Reviews

  “It has scandal, intrigue, and an amateur sleuth piecing everything together and saving the day. I would liken Brett to a modern-day Nancy Drew. She isn’t a trained sleuth but seems to find herself figuring out the mystery and tying up the loose ends with a pretty pink bow for the cops.”

  —Once Upon a Romance Review

  “A quirky mystery with a fun, independent, determined leading lady and a loyal supportive cast of characters, each so different, yet lovable in their own ways. A fast, easy, enjoyable read with an ending that will catch the reader completely by surprise.”

  —Lori’s Reading Corner

  “Sinful, sexy, witty, and eccentric.”

  —Romantic Times

  The Missing Ink

  “Karen Olson has launched a delightful new series with The Missing Ink, featuring tattooist Brett Kavanaugh. Brett is proud that she makes grown men cry. She also makes grown women laugh. I look forward to more adventures for this Las Vegas needle artist.”

  —Elaine Viets, author of the Dead-End

  Job Mystery series

  “In The Missing Ink, Karen Olson has penned a winner, full of crisp dialogue, a red-hot setting, and a smart, sassy tattooed protagonist. Viva Las Vegas!”

  —Susan McBride, author of the Debutante

  Dropout Mystery series

  “[A] pleasantly jargon-free themed mystery. . .. Readers need not be conversant with ‘street flash’ or other industry terms to enjoy the setting and follow Brett down a trail of needles and gloves to the dramatic finale.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “A fun read. . .. The characters are as quirky as Las Vegas itself. . .. [Brett] is both likable and down-to-earth and will have readers returning for more.”

  —The Mystery Reader

  “Olson uses the fresh setting of an upscale Las Vegas tattoo shop . . . for a fast-moving tale with quirky but affectionately portrayed characters. Although stubborn, Brett never becomes too stupid to live in her determination to solve the mystery. The tension is kept at a high pitch.”

  —Romantic Times

  “Fun . . . The setup is pure, the setting is flashy . . . and I expect that Brett Kavanaugh will find a devoted following.”

  —Gumshoe

  “This one has it all with edgy characters and a tight plot.”

  —Mystery Scene

  “Ms. Olson walks readers through a multiple-murder mystery, supplying clues at a steady pace. The Missing Ink is suspenseful, entertaining from the start, and has a touch of romance that nicely rounds out the story.”

  —Darque Reviews

  “Features the same smooth writing, insightful character development, and complex plotting as the Annie Seymour books. Brett’s team at The Painted Lady is delightful, an eclectic mix of characters that adds to the fun.”

  —Cozy Library (cozylibrary.com)

  “A winner. . .. Brett is a likable, albeit unusual heroine. I’m looking forward to seeing more of her and her zany cohorts in future books.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “An extremely fast, extremely entertaining read. Brett is highly likable. . ..The potential for romance in future tales is sure to keep the series fresh in novels yet to come. . .. Brett’s work is just getting started in Las Vegas, and I can’t wait to find out what happens in her next adventure.”

  —The Romance Readers Connection

  PRAISE FOR KAREN E. OLSON’S ANNIE SEYMOUR MYSTERIES

  Shot Girl

  “Olson excels at plotting—with liberal doses of humor—and Annie grows more fascinating, and more human, with each novel. This one’s a winner from page one.”

  —Richmond Times-Dispatch

  “Easily the best one . . . [Olson] step[s] up to a new storytelling level.”

  —Baltimore Sun

  “Features the same clever plotting, great local color, and terrific personal touches that have been a hallmark of the series since it began.”

  —Connecticut Post

  Dead of the Day

  “Karen E. Olson knows this beat like the back of her hand. I really enjoyed Dead of the Day.”

  —New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly

  “Dead of the Day takes the Annie Seymour series to truly impressive territory. Absolutely everything a first-rate crime novel should be.”

  —New York Times bestselling author Lee Child

  Secondhand Smoke

  “Annie Seymour, a New Haven journalist who’s not quite as cynical as she thinks she is, is the real thing, an engaging and memorable character with the kind of complicated loyaltie
s that make a series worth reading. Karen E. Olson is the real thing too: a natural storyteller with a lucid style and a wonderful sense of place.”

  —New York Times bestselling author Laura Lippman

  “Annie is a believable heroine whose sassy exploits and muddled love life should make for more exciting adventures.”

  —Kirkus Reviews

  “[Olson’s] fast-paced plot and great ending make it a perfect read for patrons who like a bit of humor in their mysteries.”

  —Library Journal

  Also by Karen E. Olson

  Tattoo Shop Mysteries

  Driven to Ink

  Pretty in Ink

  The Missing Ink

  Annie Seymour Mysteries

  Sacred Cows

  Secondhand Smoke

  Dead of the Day

  Shot Girl

  OBSIDIAN

  Published by New American Library, a division of

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  First published by Obsidian, an imprint of New American Library, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  First Printing, June 2011

  Copyright © Karen E. Olson, 2011

  All rights reserved

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  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  eISBN : 978-1-101-51552-5

  http://us.penguingroup.com

  To Clair Lamb

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  The plot of this book grew from reading tattoo blogs on the Internet. I am indebted to Bill Cohen of Tattoosday for his friendship and amazing photographs and stories of tattoos and tattooing. Ania Nowak of Aniareads gave me more insight into what it really means to be tattooed and the journey people take when they undergo body modification. Many thanks to Cheryl Violante and Angelo Pompano, my intrepid first readers, for their eagle eyes and undaunting support. Alison Gaylin, Lori Armstrong, Jeff Shelby, Patty Smiley, and Neil Smith are always just an e-mail or phone call away, ready to lend an ear. I hope I’m as helpful to them as they are to me. My agent, Jack Scovil, has stuck with me from the beginning, and I am grateful for his unwavering support and honesty. I must thank Kristen Weber, my former editor, for convincing me to write this series in the first place. When I started, I had no idea how much fun these books would be and how I would love these characters, at the same time growing as a writer, stepping out of my comfort zone and giving me more confidence. I owe that to her. And finally, to Chris and Julia, who have suffered trips to Las Vegas—dining at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon, climbing the rocks at Red Rock Canyon, solving crimes at CSI: The Experience at the MGM—and patiently allowed me the time to create this world, you are everything to me.

  Chapter 1

  The picture of the flamingo tattoo was on the blog an hour before they found the body. In retrospect, I probably should’ve called the cops immediately.

  I was working on an elaborate tattoo of a heart wrapped in the American flag when Joel Sloane, one of my tattooists, stuck his head in the door. At The Painted Lady, where we do only custom ink, we’ve got four private rooms for tattooing, unlike street shops that have stations out in the open.

  “Brett,” Joel said, nodding to my client, “sorry, but you have to see this.”

  I set my tattoo machine down on the counter and snapped off the blue gloves as I rose. “I’ll be a minute,” I told my client as I followed Joel toward the staff room. “What is it?” I asked his back.

  Bitsy Hendricks, our shop manager, was standing in front of the small TV set in the corner of the staff room. When we came in, she whirled around, her eyes wide.

  She pointed at the TV. Red and blue flashing lights lit up the screen, which was filled with a sea of police cruisers and at least one ambulance. Something bad had happened.

  At first I was relieved it was a crime scene I wasn’t witnessing firsthand. I’d gotten into a few situations in the last several months that had me up close and personal with dead bodies, and I hoped that was all behind me now.

  Then I saw the picture of Daisy Carmichael on the screen, the reporter’s voice-over telling me that her body was found in a hotel room.

  My knees buckled a little, and Joel’s arm snaked around my shoulders.

  “Are they sure it’s her?” I asked no one in particular. My voice sounded far away, like I was talking into a tunnel.

  “Yes,” Bitsy said flatly. “It’s on every channel.” And in case I didn’t believe her, she aimed the remote at the set and clicked through all the local channels.

  She was right. It was on every channel.

  “Did they say what happened?” I asked.

  “No, just that they found her body.”

  “Who found her?” I couldn’t help myself. My curiosity was too strong.

  “Think they said the room service guy.”

  As Bitsy spoke, a gurney rolled into view on the screen, a white sheet over what could only be a body. I caught my breath.

  Joel tightened his grip on my shoulder, and he put his other hand on Bitsy’s.

  Daisy, or Dee, as she was known to her fans, was the lead singer of the band the Flamingos. They were a bit like the Go-Go’s or the Bangles but with a definite edge to their videos despite the wholesome pop sound. It wasn’t Lady Gaga edgy, but more an early 1980s punk look. Daisy, which was the name I knew her by, had come into The Painted Lady two years ago for the first time. She’d stumbled onto my shop by accident as she window-shopped at the Venetian Grand Canal Shoppes, the upscale stores that surrounded it. While tattoo shops weren’t exactly strangers to Las Vegas, aka Sin City, this location was the result of a little blackmail by the former owner, Flip Armstrong. My clientele was a little more high-class because of it, and dropping Daisy’s name now and then didn’t hurt, either. When she’d first stepped foot through the door, the Flamingos were just a dream. A YouTube video discovery and two years later,
they were at the top of the charts.

  None of us had ever seen Daisy Carmichael socially. We’d never had dinner or drinks or even lunch with her. She only came here for her tattoos, but since she’d been here so frequently, we felt as though we had known her forever. Despite the edgy persona she portrayed to the public, to us, Daisy was a girl from Gardiner, Maine, a quiet little town where everything was within walking distance.

  “. . . an overnight sensation on YouTube,” the reporter was saying about the Flamingos as video of the band playing at the Bellagio on New Year’s Eve just weeks ago lit up the screen.

  That’s right. They performed at the Bellagio. I frowned as I thought about that picture of the flamingo tattoo on the blog.

  “She didn’t call for an appointment in December?” I asked Bitsy, who kept track of all our appointments and schedule.

  She flipped back her blond bob and narrowed her eyes at me. She knew what I was after.

  “She didn’t call. But we can’t expect her to get a tattoo every time she’s here,” Bitsy said.

  Okay, I could buy that. But I couldn’t get that picture on the blog out of my head.

  Since I’d had a little time to kill earlier, I’d been playing around on the Internet when I found the blog, called Skin Deep—not very original—by clicking on a link from another one. There were many blogs about tattoos these days. Some were very specialized, like those featuring science-related tattoos—one young woman had a DNA strand curling around her arm—and literary tattoos—images from books like Lord of the Rings and The Little Prince were popular—but some blogs, like Skin Deep, were more generic.

  Skin Deep’s latest post featured a tattoo of a flamingo. It was beautiful: long, black lines with reds and pinks and oranges. It was one of the best I’d ever designed.

  Except when I’d tattooed it on Daisy, there were no colors.

  I had scrolled up to the “About Me” section and read that blogger Ainsley Wainwright admired body art and the history of scarification, so felt compelled to take photographs of tattoos seen on the Vegas Strip and post them so everyone could see their beauty. Most blogs would add the stories surrounding the tattoos and where the person had gotten them. Skin Deep merely showcased the art and let that tell the story. Too bad. I could’ve used the publicity. Or at least a link to The Painted Lady’s Web site.