“Oh yes, well, let’s just say he’s reformed.” I glanced across at Heathcliff, who stood behind the counter, begrudgingly ringing up purchases. I hadn’t heard him call anyone an idiot all night, so that was something.
“That’s good to hear. You know, you’ve got a real head for the business side of this industry. I teach a publishing course over in Barchester, and let me tell you that too many naive students come in with the idea that publishing is all about pursuing their dreams of being a bestselling beat poet or bringing the joy of reading to future generations or some such nonsense. They could learn a lot from a woman like you… oh, I’ll introduce you to Danny. He’ll want to thank you as well.” Brian snapped his fingers. “Danny, come meet Mina. She’s the one who put this whole event together.”
A tall, handsome figure with vibrant red hair drew away from the circle of admirers who surrounded him and wandered toward us. A shorter man with a sharp suit and thin black hair followed behind him. I recognized the redhead from the jacket of his book. Danny Sledge, in the flesh.
When he reached us, Danny extended a hand and shook mine warmly, flashing me a charismatic smile. He rubbed the line of stubble along his jaw as he gestured to the room. “Fabulous event, Mina. My congratulations at finally talking some sense into that Mr. Earnshaw and turning this bookshop into a success.”
I could feel my cheeks warming at his praise. “I’m not sure it’s a success yet. But I’m definitely working on it.”
Over Danny’s shoulder, I noticed Jo enter the room, wearing a red dress that hugged her in all the right places. I guessed she been shopping instead of braving our locust-infested flat. I waved to my flatmate, and she made her way towards our group, grabbing two glasses of cider on her way past the bar.
“—it’s so important to support these small independent bookstores,” Danny was saying earnestly. “Otherwise they’ll go the way of the dinosaurs. Of course, nowadays, readers prefer a screen to an actual book. I make most of my royalties from A—”
I held up a hand as Heathcliff’s head jerked up, his black eyes blazing with fury.Does he have extra-sensory powers or something? How can he hear that all the way from the next room?“Um, I highly recommend you don’t use that word in this shop.”
Heathcliff shoved his way into the room.
“What word? Am—”
“Croak?” Quoth fluttered down and settled on Danny’s shoulder. Danny immediately reached up and patted him on his head, his previous faux-pas forgotten.
“You’re a good wee birdie, aren’t you? I saw a cat hanging around before, too. This place is a regular menagerie. Hey,” Danny grinned at Quoth. “I get it now. You’re like the shop’s mascot. They must’ve named this place Nevermore after you. ‘Once upon a midnight dreary. While I pondered, weak and weary—’”
Panic shot through me. I knew what usually happened when someone recited that poem in Quoth’s presence. I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the inevitable moment when my carefully-planned event became a disaster—
Don’t worry, I’m not going to crap on him,Quoth’s voice landed in my head.I have more self-control than that. I just thought if I flew over here I might distract him from saying the word that makes Heathcliff go Super Saiyan.
You’re my hero, I thought in return, as my whole body relaxed.
“—each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor—”
I didn’t know it was possible, but the raven beamed.Anytime. Incidentally, if you could get him to stop reciting that infernal poem, I’d be most obliged.
Danny was reaching his stride. “—for the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—”
“Danny, um, so…” I frantically searched for a question. “Do you do lots of author events?”
“Not as much as I used to. It’s hard to get people to leave their homes and show up. Nowadays I put all my promotional efforts into social media. It’s a shame, because it’s always great to meet fans in person, hear their stories. I get lots of ideas that way. Tell me, Mina, which of my books was your favorite?”
“Oh, um…” I racked my brain for a title. The truth was, I’d never read one of Danny Sledge’s books – commercial crime fiction wasn’t really my thing. I’d chosen him for this event because Mrs. Ellis told me he was famous and devilishly handsome, so she’d be able to convince her entire knitting circle to come along. I’d sold at least twenty tickets to little old ladies who now stood in a group around the bar, tittering every time they caught a glimpse of Danny’s arse. I glanced over to the table and caught the name of his latest book. “I really enjoyedThe Somerset Strangler. I think it’s your best work yet.”
“Good answer. That’s one of my favorites, too.” Danny didn’t seem to notice where I was looking. “It’s always so fascinating getting into the mind of a criminal. As you know, I’ve made this guy particularly vicious. He likes to get up close and personal with his victims so he can watch the life drain from their faces—”
“Oh, yes, yes.” I nodded, only listening with half an ear as I noticed a familiar figure enter the room, wearing an outlandish dress that looked like a Christmas sweater had sex with a raccoon. I glanced at Quoth.What’s Mum doing here?
You invited her, remember?
Yes, but I didn’t expect her to come.I cringed as Mum swung around and I noticed a giant silvery patch attached to her upper arm.What’s that on her arm?
No idea, but I can see a stack of them sticking out of her purse. My guess is, she’s got an exciting new product to sell.
Zing.Panic shot through me again.
“I haven’t read your book. What methods does your killer employ?” Jo was asking Danny. “Strangulation? Evisceration? Meat hooks?”
“Death by locust?” I added. Jo stifled a laugh.
“Danny’s killer has the garrote as his weapon of choice,” the second man piped up. “Garroting is such an unusual method of murder. It was developed by the Chinese as an early form of execution, and was also popular with the Spanish as the death penalty until 1978. Danny’s use of this method is part of the reasonThe Somerset Stranglerhas been so successful. It’s a bit different from the usual cannibal serial killer.”
