Smash Cut: A NovelThe latest thriller from "masterful storyteller" (USA Today) Sandra Brown THE PRINCIPALS: Paul Wheeler: CEO of the Wheeler Enterprises empire, is shot dead during an armed robbery. Julie Rutledge: A savvy, cultured, and attractive Southern woman, was hand-inhand with Paul Wheeler at the time of his death. Derek Mitchell: A defense lawyer of renown, he goes to the mat to make a case for every client -- and headlines for himself. Creighton Wheeler: The prodigal nephew of Paul and a playboy with a passion for movies. Even those closest to Creighton can't be sure when he exits reality and enters the fantasy world of films. STORYBOARD: The murder of Paul Wheeler has all the elements of a blockbuster: family rivalries, incalculable wealth, and a prominent man dying in the arms of his beautiful mistress. It's a case that could earn Derek Mitchell even greater star power. When the Wheeler family approaches him about defending Creighton for his uncle's murder -- even before he's charged -- he jumps at the chance. Although Creighton has a rock-solid alibi, Julie is convinced that he is responsible for Paul's murder. Caught in several lies, and keeping secrets from Derek and the police, Julie is suspected of casting blame on Creighton to cover her own crime. Meanwhile, Derek fears he's being duped...yet he burns with jealousy when he thinks of Julie with her late lover. But the more Derek learns about Creighton, the more he doubts the young man's innocence. And hiding in a squalid motel under an assumed name is the one man, a career criminal, a killer, who knows the truth. The clock ticks down toward a shocking ending that can't be known until the final SMASH CUT. |
Contents
Section 1 | 1 |
Section 2 | 4 |
Section 3 | 11 |
Section 4 | 21 |
Section 5 | 34 |
Section 6 | 45 |
Section 7 | 54 |
Section 8 | 63 |
Section 17 | 179 |
Section 18 | 192 |
Section 19 | 208 |
Section 20 | 221 |
Section 21 | 236 |
Section 22 | 248 |
Section 23 | 263 |
Section 24 | 280 |
Section 9 | 74 |
Section 10 | 87 |
Section 11 | 96 |
Section 12 | 108 |
Section 13 | 117 |
Section 14 | 128 |
Section 15 | 146 |
Section 16 | 160 |
Section 25 | 295 |
Section 26 | 309 |
Section 27 | 321 |
Section 28 | 335 |
Section 29 | 348 |
Section 30 | 359 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
already answer Ariel arms asked believe better Billy Duke breath called Carol caught caused closed Creighton Creighton Wheeler Derek detectives didn’t Dodge don’t door Doug dropped everything eyes face feel first floor followed front gallery gave give glanced glass going gone hair hand happened he’d head heard hell hope hour inside It’s Julie keep killed Kimball knew laughed leave light living looked loved Maggie mean meeting mind minutes Mitchell morning moved movie never night office painting passed Paul picked police pulled question reached remember returned Rutledge Sanford seconds seemed Sharon she’d shook side smiled soon sound standing stay stopped sure talk tell Thank thing thought told tonight took touched trying turned uncle voice waiting walked watched Wheeler woman wouldn’t