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“You could share…”
“No, I couldn’t.”
“Leave or stay, Annette. Make up your mind,” said Ryker in a level voice.
“Fine,” she said, taking her seat.
“Earlier today,” started Ryker, “Jonathon Lockwood joined us at the VIP reader meet and greet. He all but said that Cobain had one or more ghostwriters and intimated that either one or both of you were the ones responsible.”
“Good god,” said Ezra. “Remind me to punch Lockwood in the nose. How could he think I was Cobain’s ghostwriter? My writing is far superior to his, and I loathed the man.”
All eyes turned to Annette, who blushed but then lifted her chin. “It wasn’t me, either. I’m not even a writer.”
“For a man with Cobain’s ego, that might work better, as he’d never expect you to challenge him,” said Lori.
Ryker nodded. “I read—skimmed mostly—his latest novel. It has a female protagonist with a decidedly feminine voice. I also read that he always typed his first drafts on a vintage typewriter as he felt it connected him better with his story. Then he submitted his manuscripts from a copy he had typed into his computer. But what if the ghostwriter was actually the one using the vintage typewriter? He was said to use a new ribbon for each novel, keeping them locked away in a safe.”
“If Cobain demanded the ghostwriter turn over the ribbon, it would ensure he or she would have no tangible proof that they had written anything for Cobain,” said Lori. “Then again, the ghostwriter might want to keep the ribbon for just that reason.”
Ryker nodded. “He or she could have kept the real ribbon and given Cobain a fake. I can’t see Cobain trying to read a ribbon to ensure it contained the entire document. I would think it would be easy enough to fake.”
“That makes sense,” said Lori. “I know Annette has access to both vintage typewriters and ribbons,” said Lori, “and one of the housekeepers mentioned you have an antique typewriter in your room, Ezra.”
“So, all you have to do to clear this up and exonerate yourselves is to let us take a look at what you’ve got. Provided there’s nothing incriminating, we won’t feel any need to share our suspicions with the detective or the MCU, will we, babe?”
“None at all.”
They had them trapped in a neat little net. If either or both refused the challenge, it would make him, her or both appear to be guilty as hell. For a moment, there was dead silence.
“Fine. You can come back to my hotel room. I only have the one typewriter, and I don’t have any spare ribbons with me, so I don’t know what you think you’ll find.”
“Cobain told me he was working on a new manuscript. It’s due to the publisher by the end of next week. Whoever is doing the ghostwriting is having to work on it right now, so the evidence would be there,” said Lori.
Ryker had no idea if she was telling the truth, but if this mystery writer thing didn’t work out, she’d make one hell of an investigative reporter.
“I have nothing to hide, either,” asserted Annette. “You can examine any and all typewriters and vintage ribbons in my shop.”
“Outstanding,” said Ryker. “Let’s order dinner and enjoy ourselves, and then Ezra and I will go next door. Lori can go with Annette, and when I’m done with Ezra, I can join them.”
They ordered, and while they waited for their meal, talking about nothing of consequence, Ryker texted Lori:
Text Lockwood and have him meet you at Everything Vintage. I don’t want you to be alone with her, but I want to be sure she doesn’t have a chance to destroy evidence. I’ll go with Ezra to make sure he can’t do the same.
She texted him back a thumbs up.
CHAPTER 16
LORI
Lori
She got into Annette’s aging Bronco and they headed to the store.
“I really don’t think I should be doing this. I have nothing to hide, and even if I was Cobain’s ghostwriter, there’s nothing illegal or even unusual about it. Lots of famous writers have ghostwriters.”
“That’s what Jonathon Lockwood said. I was kind of surprised, but then I guess it doesn’t really matter. I mean if the ghostwriter is being fairly compensated, and the author whose name is on the book is ensuring the quality and is happy with it, who am I to judge?”
“Well, there’s compensation, but then I would think the author might want to at least acknowledge the ghostwriter’s help. Maybe call him or her some kind of editor or something. I think that would make the ghostwriter feel more appreciated.”
