Shooting Season: A DCI Harry Grimm Novel Page 4

  ‘Yes, okay,’ Charlie sighed, ‘I get your point.’

  ‘I’m not sure you do,’ Adam said. ‘It’s great for promotion. Shows you really care about your readers and want to meet them and chat with them. You don’t get that with a big event.’

  ‘Yes, but big events are so much more glamourous, aren’t they?’

  ‘Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better.’

  Nothing from Charlie.

  Adam moved over towards two women standing at the door to the shop, who were talking with the owner. The younger of the two turned to greet him, looking over his shoulder towards Charlie, before rolling her eyes.

  ‘How is he?’

  ‘As grateful as ever,’ Adam said, pleased to see that at least Chris, Charlie’s PA, was smiling. ‘Loving every moment. How long have we got?’

  The other woman, somewhat older than Chris, answered with, ‘An hour, which means we’ll probably need to nail him to the floor to stop him just sodding off to go shopping.’

  Adam laughed. He’d liked Anna, Charlie’s literary agent, from the moment they’d met all those years ago. She had seemed rather exciting to them both back then, just a few years older than them and so full of what publishing was all about. She’d taken them both under her wing, and in Charlie’s case, quite a few years later, into her bed. Though that had all fizzled out some time ago now. At least, he thought it had, though there was still a look in Anna’s eyes whenever he saw her glance over at Charlie.

  ‘He’ll stay,’ Adam said. ‘He may complain, but he loves the attention.’

  ‘More so than the actual writing,’ Anna said, then slapped her own wrist in mock chastisement. ‘Naughty girl, what am I saying, what am I implying?’

  Adam laughed.

  Chris looked confused. ‘What do you mean? Doesn’t he enjoy writing, then?’

  Adam caught the conspiratorial glance from Anna and sent it back. ‘Nothing to worry about,’ he said to Chris. ‘It’s just that he can be a bit off about things like this, can’t he? I’m sure you’ve noticed?’

  ‘Yes, I suppose so.’ Chris nodded.

  ‘He wasn’t always like this, you know,’ said Anna. ‘Back when it all started, he was a lot more fun, more innocent I suppose.’

  ‘You mean clueless,’ Adam corrected. ‘He’s just grown more savvy, that’s all.’

  ‘And rich,’ added Chris.

  ‘Yes, there is that,’ Adam said, though he was very aware that both he and Anna had done rather well out of it all from the beginning—Anna selling the rights, him making sure the books were delivered on time and in decent shape, seeing as from the off, Charlie had refused to be edited by anyone other than his supposed best friend. But things had changed over time, as they do, and now Adam needed a bit of recognition himself.

  ‘It’s what you want to be anyway, isn’t it?’ he’d said all those years ago. ‘In publishing? Well, why not just work for me? On my books. How does that sound? It’ll be marvellous! Just you and me!’

  It had sounded very good at the time and what had started off as just a bit of freelance had soon become all-consuming. But Adam loved words, so that was okay. And Charlie had always been generous, so Adam had never really needed to move on to other employment. Hadn’t wanted to either. What could top being the personal editor for an international novelist? And the pay was idiotic, mainly because Charlie just didn’t understand money.

  ‘I’m going to get us some coffee,’ Anna said walking to the door and pulling out a packet of her ever-present cigarettes. ‘I need caffeine. Americanos all round, yes?’

  She didn’t wait for an answer, just turned and left the shop. Adam watched through the window as she strode off into the day, cigarette already lit.

  To clear his head before the event really got underway, Adam made his way over to the signing table. It was piled with beautiful hardback editions of Charlie’s new book. The cover really was something to behold. He picked one up and opened it. To Adam, the dedication read, for being there from the beginning. Well, he certainly had been, so a little bit of credit was nice, even if it was a dedication he’d put in there himself. He then flicked through to the opening chapter and read the first line.

  “In exactly fifteen minutes and thirty-two seconds, Sir Christopher Hale, millionaire businessman and philanthropist, would be relieved of his head.” He smiled. It was one of his favourites because it immediately had the reader asking why? It was also violent and a little funny. Genius, really. And the book itself was definitely up there as possibly the best in the series, regardless of that awful review that had just come out. It was no wonder that Anna was in the thick of negotiating a very lucrative deal with a certain well-known television company for a show.

  ‘Looks good, doesn’t it?’

  Charlie had wandered over to join him.

  ‘Yes, it does,’ Adam said. ‘Having your name on the cover of something like this, well, it must be an amazing feeling.’

  ‘It is,’ Charlie said. ‘It really is.’

  Adam went to say something else but was distracted by the sound of the shop door opening, as Anna stepped in carrying coffees for all. As she handed them around, Adam had to wonder why Charlie had called it all off, not just because she was attractive, but because there was something magnetic about the way she commanded herself and those around her. You just couldn’t help but follow her and listen to her and want to be with her. But what confused Adam, more than anything was what Anna had ever seen in Charlie in the first place. And how, even now, despite everything, she still seemed to have a thing for him. What he wouldn’t do to be in Charlie’s shoes, he thought, and in so many different ways, though perhaps that would soon change. Things were in motion now, weren’t they, and Anna was going to help. His own book, Adam thought, smiling to himself. He could hardly wait.

  Chapter Five

  Charlie stared out from behind some well-stacked bookshelves at the back of the shop as the chairs in the main area started to fill up. At the door, Chris and Adam were greeting everyone as they came in, helping the shop owners hand out leaflets and guide them to their seats.

  ‘It’s exciting, isn’t it?’ a voice breathed just close enough for the heat of it to set the hairs on his neck on end.

  ‘I’ve done bigger events,’ Charlie said.

  ‘I’m not talking about that, I’m talking about this . . .’

  Charlie felt the caress of a hand as it slipped up between his shirt and his back, then moved around to his chest.

  ‘What are you doing?’

  Another breath ghosted across the back of his neck.

  ‘You used to like this, you know.’

  Charlie pulled away and turned around to stare into the eyes of his literary agent. There was a hunger in them, he could see that all too clearly, but really, when was she going to get the message and stop harassing him? And hadn’t he suspected that the hunger was not so much for him, as his money? It had been well over a year now and still, she hadn’t given up trying to rekindle something that, for him, just wasn’t there anymore. It really was very irritating.

  ‘I need to focus,’ Charlie said. ‘This is important.’

  ‘Yes, it is,’ Anna said, stepping away. ‘And it’s nice to hear that you think so, too.’

  ‘Are you implying I don’t take this seriously?’

  Anna smiled, but Charlie could see that her eyes weren’t exactly joining in. She really did do puppy-dog eyes better than most.

  ‘What I’m implying, Charlie, my love,’ Anna said, ‘is that I think you sometimes need to remember that this isn’t all about you. We’re a team.’

  ‘I do know that,’ Charlie said, recoiling a little from the barbs in the words my love. ‘Of course, I do.’

  Anna stepped up very close and leaned in as though to kiss him, and Charlie leaned away, smelling cigarettes and coffee on her breath, but instead, she just whispered, ‘We all have our secrets. And it’s best that they stay that way, for us all, wouldn’t you say?’
>
  Charlie pushed Anna away. ‘What on earth are you talking about now? Are you threatening me?’

  ‘And why would I do that, dear heart?’ Anna cocked her head to one side, raising an eyebrow.

  ‘I have literally no idea,’ Charlie snapped back. ‘Unless, of course, you’re still bitter about our breakup.’

  ‘It doesn’t have to be like this,’ Anna said. ‘We were great together.’

  ‘And then we weren’t and we finished it.’

  ‘You finished it,’ Anna said. ‘You. Not me.’

  Charlie sucked in a long, slow breath through his nose.

  ‘We agreed to keep this professional. If you can’t do that, then I’m very sure I can find myself another agent.’

  Charlie saw Anna’s eyes narrow. Good, he thought, he’d scored a hit.

  ‘I wouldn’t go suggesting something like that,’ Anna said. ‘You have no idea where it may lead.’

  ‘To someone who doesn’t keep trying to get me back in bed, I would hope,’ Charlie replied.

  For a moment, Charlie and Anna just stared at each other.

  ‘Don’t push me, that’s all,’ Anna said. ‘I’m not the kind of person you want to make an enemy of.’

  Charlie laughed, as a twist in his stomach became a fuse which burned hot and fast, churning a storm of rage inside him.

  ‘Are you threatening me?’ he said, leaning in over Anna, a thundercloud of threat.

  Anna’s face remained passive for a moment or two. Then the thinnest, coldest of smiles Charlie had ever seen slipped across her face. She made to walk away, but Charlie hadn’t finished. Reaching out he clamped a hand around her arm, giving it a nice hard squeeze.

  ‘I have work to do,’ Anna said, pulling away. ‘And you need to prepare for your talk.’

  ‘You don’t own me. You know that, don’t you?’ Charlie whispered as he let go of Anna’s arm. ‘Like I said, I can find another agent. Then where would you be?’

  Anna snapped around to face Charlie and in her eyes he saw a fury that told him he’d hit a nerve.

  ‘You wouldn’t dare.’

  ‘I’m Charlie Baker,’ Charlie said, very confident now in his power play. ‘In all of this, I’m the author, I’m the name, I’m the one people come to see! And just you remember that.’

  ‘I could ruin you.’

  ‘No, you couldn’t,’ Charlie said. ‘Whatever you think you have over me I haven’t the faintest idea, but none of it matters, no one cares! Now, off you go, and do whatever it is you agents do at events like this. Drink champagne usually, from what I’ve seen.’

  Anna went to say something, her face a snarl, but at just then Chris appeared at her side.

  ‘Is everything okay?’

  Charlie watched as Anna’s face effortlessly slipped into a professional smile.

  ‘Of course, it is,’ she said turning to Chris. ‘Charlie, dear, is just having a bout of the usual nerves, isn’t that right?’

  ‘Absolutely not!’ Charlie said.

  ‘I’m sorry if I interrupted something,’ Chris said, and Charlie could see now that she was rather concerned that she’d interrupted something that really wasn’t her business at all. And that was good, it showed she was learning.

  Anna took Chris by the arm and walked her away from Charlie, her voice now all professional excitement about the event. Charlie stayed where he was. He was hot and flustered now, and for all the wrong reasons. He didn’t even want to be here. Why couldn’t Adam have just done it? People were so frustrating!

  Charlie took a deep, calming breath. Time to put on that author smile, he thought. And with that, he left the safety and shadows of the bookshelf and made his way out to meet his adoring fans.

  At that same moment, Detective Inspector Gordanian Haig stepped in through the door of the bookshop, ignoring the feeling of guilt that taking an afternoon off always, and without fail, swept through her. It made her feel like perhaps she wasn’t as committed to her job as she should be. Except, of course, that she was. And anyway, today was a treat, one she’d booked with the sole purpose of cheering herself up. So that guilt could, as far as she was concerned, sod off. She needed to do something to make her feel good about herself and there was nothing wrong with that at all.

  ‘Hello!’

  The voice was from a young girl with brown hair and freckles, Gordy noticed, while at the same time trying to make sure that she wasn’t noticing it just a little too obviously.

  Too soon and too young, you old fool, she thought and smiled back. Was this the worst thing about breakups, suddenly feeling like you were on constant alert for a replacement to the one you’d just lost?

  ‘Hi,’ Gordy said. ‘This is the author event, yes? Charlie Baker?’

  ‘Yes, absolutely,’ the freckle-faced girl answered.

  She wasn’t really a girl, Gordy knew that. Probably early twenties? Fresh out of university probably. A young woman. Unlike herself, not even in soft light. At all. And nothing was ever going to disguise that fact either. Still, that didn’t stop her sucking in her stomach just a little and putting on her brightest smile. A little bit of harmless flirting wouldn’t do her any harm, she was sure.

  ‘I can’t believe I won a ticket, if I’m honest.’ Gordy smiled. ‘I don’t win things, you see. This just doesn’t happen.’

  ‘Well, you won this, didn’t you?’ The girl handed Gordy a bag. ‘Just some free goodies,’ she explained. ‘Some promotional stuff, a signed cover of the book for you to frame if you want, bookmarks. Oh, and some chocolates.’

  ‘Lovely,’ Gordy said, peeking into the bag. ‘Do we get to buy books at the end as well? And have them signed by Charlie?’

  The girl laughed, and the sound of it cheered Gordy’s heart. And it really needing cheering. Not that she would admit that to anyone. Privacy was important.

  ‘You won, remember?’ the girl said. ‘You’ll get a chance to grab a personally signed, free copy of the new book at the end. How does that sound?’

  ‘Too good to be true,’ Gordy said. ‘Free? You sure about that?’

  ‘Love the accent by the way,’ the girl said. ‘I’ll show you to your seat?’

  Working very hard to not blush, Gordy followed the girl and sat down. Alone now, she had another quick look through the goodie bag, popped one of the chocolates out of its rather posh presentation box and into her mouth, and relaxed. She needed this. A moment of calm respite. God, it felt good. Bliss, actually. And it would help heal the hurt she felt, even if only a little.

  A few minutes later and the rest of the seats had filled up. Gordy, at the end of one of the rows, found herself to be sitting next to an enormous man who smelled faintly of pipe tobacco and sandalwood. He was polite, with a kind face, and they chatted about where they were from, why they were there, and how excited they were about the new Charlie Baker book.

  Then a hush descended as a different woman approached the podium. She was some years older than the girl who’d welcomed Gordy to the event, more striking to look at, and clearly was used to taking command of any situation. Her smile was that of warm confidence, but there was something else beneath it, Gordy thought. A hint of control, perhaps?

  ‘Good afternoon everyone!’ the woman said. ‘My name is Anna James, I’m Charlie Baker’s literary agent, and welcome to the first of our launch events for Charlie’s new book, The Hunt!’

  The woman applauded then, very enthusiastically, and everyone joined in. Gordy wasn’t really sure what they were clapping for but found herself joining in with the rest and rather enjoying it because it helped her to relax just a little. What followed next was a brief history of Charlie Baker, after which Anna James introduced the man they’d all turned up to see.

  Gordy had a clear view and watched as the man strode out in front of them, emerging from the shadows with more than a little theatrical air, dressed plainly, but expensively, in jeans, a nicely tailored shirt, and leather shoes. Oh, and his hat, of course, the one he wore in every single p
romo shot she’d ever seen of him. He loves this, Gordy thought, the fans. And who could blame him? It wasn’t really her thing at all, but she’d always had a secret dream of writing a book herself one day. That would be quite something, she thought. Not that she’d ever have the time.

  Charlie introduced himself and told everyone how happy he was to see them all and that it really made being an author worth it, to see so many fans. Then, with the aid of the literary agent, he proceeded to answer lots of questions about the book, all put to him by her, and which he answered with professional enthusiasm and verve. He was good, Gordy though, really very good indeed. There were lots of stories about his childhood, why he’d become a writer, his first book, and then a little bit about the new novel.

  ‘Now, what about a little extract?’ the agent asked, the interview over. ‘The first chapter, which as we all know is set in this very area!’

  Another round of applause at this, as though every person in that room had somehow suddenly become an integral part of the work of fiction they were all there to celebrate. ‘And after that, perhaps questions from the floor, yes? I’m sure some of you must have one or two things you’d like to ask our lovely little author, here?’

  At this, she turned to the sea of faces in front of her and gave a little wink. Everyone laughed.

  Charlie Baker smiled, took up a copy of his new novel, and started to read. His voice, Gordy thought, was that of a trained orator. This was someone who very much liked the sound of his own voice, and was clearly very sure that everyone else did, too. She didn’t care. It was wonderful. And she stared off into the middle distance as Charlie took them on a short journey into another new adventure.

  ‘Right then,’ the agent said, once Charlie had finished. ‘As I said earlier, I’m sure some of you have a question or two. So, if it’s okay with Charlie, I think we’ll open this to the floor. Chris?’

  The young woman from earlier walked down the centre of the chairs with a microphone.

  ‘So, who’s first?’ the agent asked.

  A flurry of hands shot into the air, jet-propelled limbs desperate to launch a question into orbit.