Cold Smoked by K. K. Beck

Author:K. K. Beck
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: FIC022040
ISBN: 9780759524309
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2001-05-14T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Her escort, Solveig, turned out to be a large, freckled young woman with pale orange hair. They met in the lobby, where she presented Jane with a few pounds of brochures, a calendar, another oven mitt, and a huge glossy cookbook.

Jane thanked her warmly and took it all over to the desk for pickup (and possibly disposal) later.

They then took a taxi to the Fisheries Directorate, a name that conjured up in Jane’s mind a scene from a children’s book, where bureaucratic fish wearing cartoon spectacles sat behind desks and shuffled papers, blowing bubbles and making policy.

Solveig seemed sweet and rather passive, which was good news because Jane was already scheming to eliminate her from the room when she interviewed Knutsen.

Whatever happened during the interview, Jane was determined to blow off any more hospitality or further meetings. Her flight left in the morning; she would declare herself off duty until then.

“We are having it very lucky,” said Solveig. “There is a meeting of the International Salmon Marketing Committee here in Bergen this evening, so you can write about this, too, perhaps.”

“I doubt it,” Jane said firmly. She remembered something Carla had said back at the Meade Hotel. “Those meetings are generally closed.”

“Well,” said Solveig, taking on a look of stubbornness Jane hadn’t anticipated—there was something ominous about the clench of her wide jaw—“they will be wanting to announce a new marketing campaign, and I think they will be glad to be talking about it.”

“I’m terribly sorry, but—”

“We have faxed your magazine,” said Solveig. “And the meeting is in your hotel, so it is very convenient.”

Jane tried to think of another way out—ever since her failure at the airport with Kessler, she’d felt off her game—but just then the taxi pulled up in front of a handsome glass building, and Solveig was paying the driver and getting a receipt with the decisive air of one who had not only finished a discussion, but won. Lest there be any doubt, Solveig turned to her and said, “Amanda Braithwaite says you should write about this. You know Amanda, of course?”

Jane thought about winging it, then decided not to bother. “Never heard of her,” she said.

“She is an English lady. Very experienced in food marketing. She will be handling the campaign. You will be meeting her at the hotel tonight.” Solveig smiled and added, “Of course Mr. Carver, your editor, knows her. She is buying advertising from your magazine.”

Good old Norm. Jane supposed if this Amanda Braithwaite wanted to be featured in a fashion layout, modeling fish wearables, she could have that, too. Further struggle seemed pointless. Jane reasoned that she had to eat anyway. She might as well bring along the trusty tape recorder and come up with something Carla could fashion into a sidebar.

The Fisheries offices were housed in a stunning modern building that incorporated some ancient wooden beams and brick walls. Solveig led her to Knutsen’s office overlooking the harbor, and they waited outside for a moment. Jane managed to

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