Mitch Malone
here to find the inside story for my exclusive on those who scam others for a
living. I’m talking about con artists. Those who can make any outrageous lie
sound like a good deal and part people with their hard earned cash. I’ve got a
line on one who might be a little hesitant to come forward. From my research
and sources, there is a woman named Roxy Tanner who has the skills and
experience to make a good source. She is featured in LICENSE TO LIE by Terry
Ambrose. Her story is unique and I will have to use all my skills as a reporter
to get the goods. Let’s get started. Roxy Tanner. Thank you for agreeing
to be interviewed today. Can you tell me a little bit about your childhood?
Roxy: Sure Mitch,
my childhood was shaped by an event that took place when I was eight. My mom
tossed a fake Rolex in the garbage and told me the watch was stolen. She
implied that she was worried she might get in trouble if anyone found out she’d
purchased stolen goods and, since I was eight and precocious, I assumed the
worst. I knew “trouble” was an adult code word, at least in our house, for
jail. The minute Mom said that word, I knew I just couldn’t let that happen.
The
writer-types you’ve interviewed sure like to wax on about plotters and
pantsers, well, even at eight, I was a doer. I took charge and stole the watch
from the trash and sold it to a guy in a suit. That’s when I learned my first
lesson about reconnaissance.
Reconnaissance,
like spy work? What do you mean?
Roxy: It means I’m
not talking about that incident anymore. It’s too painful and I had to work
through it in LICENSE TO LIE.
One of
life’s defining moments, huh? Okay, I get it. Let’s move on. So you always had
an ability to, shall we say, put a shine on the truth?
Roxy: Truth can be
such a vague concept, Mitch. As a reporter, I’m sure you’ve had occasion to
make some of those you’ve interviewed sound smarter or funnier. Right? Maybe
you left out a nugget here or there—we’re both in the same game. My stakes
might just be a little higher than yours.
I’m not sure
I like what you are saying. I’m an honest reporter. I don’t shade the truth. I
get the goods, the whole story. Maybe we should change subjects. Family is
important to you. You would go to great lengths to protect someone close to
you. Tell me how your father got into a fix?
Roxy: My dad was
always interested in what I did from the time I was little. When he retired, he
started spending an inordinate amount of time following my new business. Dad
made the mistake of letting his emotions take hold and got drunk when he saw
how big my business was getting. I had $5 million in the bank and I guess that
worried him. He got drunk and started talking to some guy in a bar and the next
thing I know, he’s been kidnapped and is being held for ransom.
Is that when
you asked for help? I’ve been trying to get an interview with this do-gooder
who helps people. His name is Skip Cosgrove. You’ve had some experience with
him. I’ve been hearing rumors about you two. Are you changing sides of the law?
Roxy: There you go
again spouting platitudes. I mean, really, Mitch, “sides of the law?” You and
Skip would get along great because he does that quite a bit too. He’s all, you
know, “that’s not right, Roxy” or “that’s against the law, Roxy.” Maybe you two
should pal around or get drunk. Just don’t go making up things for me to say,
I’ve got a red belt in karate and a black belt in tongue lashing. So tread
lightly.
Whoa. Don’t
shoot the messenger, err questioner. You are a bit testy when it comes to Mr.
Cosgrove. Anything going on between you two?
Roxy: What is
this, high school? You really expect me to kiss—or not—and tell? Skip and I
have our ups and downs, so to speak. We didn’t get off to a very good start,
but we’re sorting things out. Besides, I’m definitely not a girl that likes to
spoil the surprise. Get my drift, Mitch?
Okay, I get
the message. No need to threaten. You are one tough lady. I think
this interview is over. To find out more about Roxy and Skip, check out
Terry Ambrose’ s website at terryambrose.com
More About LICENSE TO LIE:
With
$5 million and their lives on the line, can a determined criminologist
and a beautiful con artist learn to trust each other? Or themselves? Roxy
Tanner lies
for a living. Skip Cosgrove uncovers the lies others tell. Now they
have twelve hours to meet a ransom demand or her father will die. When
Roxy reveals she has the money, Skip is sure of one thing: his
way-too-attractive client is lying to him. As
events unfold, these two loners discover that for those living on the
edge, trust is a luxury they can’t afford. There’s only one thing left
for them to do. Never trust a soul…even your own.
"License
to Lie is fast and well written, almost sure to satisfy discerning
readers of thrillers. There’s a verve to Ambrose’s language and the
story moves with assurance, defying easy predictions. Bravo to this
writer. I hope there’s more to come."
—T. Jefferson Parker, Author of The Jaguar and The Border Lords
Terry
Ambrose started out skip tracing and collecting money from deadbeats
and quickly learned that liars come from all walks of life. He never
actually stole a car, but sometimes hired big guys with tow trucks and a
penchant for working in the dark to “help” when negotiations failed. A
resident of Southern California, he loves spending time in Hawaii,
especially on the Garden Island of Kauai, where he invents lies for
others to read. His years of chasing deadbeats taught him many valuable
life lessons such as—always keep your car in the garage.
