89: A Psychological Thriller by Stuart Keane

Author:Stuart Keane [Keane, Stuart]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-02-29T00:00:00+00:00

SEVEN

"A book?"

Greg felt the heat surge to his face. His cheeks began to burn. The silent patter of spattered rain on soaked glass filled the uneasy silence between them. His eyes were on Jessica, and her glare was on his.

A minute passed. Two.

On the third, she nodded. "Yes."

He laughed, dumbfounded. "You're stalking me on a coach and keeping me hostage to get me to write a book about you?"

Jessica nodded silently.

"Why didn’t you just order one online?"

"You mean like your other readers?"

"Yes. I do monthly competitions for my readers on the website. People have the chance to win a part, have their name in a book, and become a character. Some even pay for the privilege."

"And why would I want to do that?"

"You just said you want to be in a book."

"No, I said I want you to write a book about me. There's a difference."

"I can't do that."

"You can and you will. Unless you want me to take everything from you."

Greg shook his head. "I can’t do it because I have books scheduled in advance. If I did write a book about you, there's no guarantee it would sell. My editor and agent sign off on the book content. It could jeopardise my entire publishing deal."

"Funny. I'll do that anyway if you don’t write it."

Greg said nothing. Ground his teeth together. Impasse.

Jessica chuckled. "I don’t want a bit part in a book, one where I pay a few quid and die within seconds. Fuck that. Your other readers might be happy with that, but I want more. I want an entire book written about me. Jessica. I even have a plot written out."

Greg shook his head. A vein bulged on his right temple. "I don’t think I can, Jessica."

"You can. You'll make it happen or I'll ruin you."

"You're asking the impossible, you realise that?"

"Either you write it, or you don’t write another book ever again. I don’t see what's impossible about that." Jessica cracked her fingers inside her gloves.

"Say I managed to make it happen. There's no guarantee it would see the light of day for years. The process takes time."

"Last I checked you've nearly finished your latest book. Your agent gave you time off for doing this event. No time to start like the present, or when you get back home."

Greg was about to speak and stopped himself. He resisted the urge to smile. What are you doing? You have a chance here, a chance to get away. Take it.

What's the worst that could happen?

You could lose your career.

But she might also have a decent book idea.

Yeah, it's not that simple.

"What's the catch, Jessica?"

She said nothing, narrowed her eyes, questioning him in silence.

"What's the catch? What do you want?"

"I just told you. I want you to write a book about me."

"And in return?"

Jessica smiled. She placed a stick of gum into her mouth. "Ah, a businessman I see. You want to talk brass tacks. You remembered I asked for a piece of the action. You're finally paying attention."

Yes, I am.

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