Killer Characters by Ellery Adams

Author:Ellery Adams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2017-03-31T17:01:33+00:00

* * *

The next day, the Bayside Book Writers met at Through the Wardrobe to spend a little time together before the Christmas flotilla began.

The bookstore was mobbed. Patrons were picking up last-minute gifts and purchasing books from the large table at the front of the store.

“Smart idea.” Rawlings pointed at the table. “Encouraging customers to buy the books that the decorations for the boats are being based on. Way to capitalize on tonight’s event. I bet that was Emmett’s doing,” he said, referring to Olivia’s friend and the new manager of Through the Wardrobe.

Harris frowned. “I don’t know. Doesn’t it spoil the surprise? Take all the magic out of wondering which literary themes the participants have chosen?”

“No,” Millay said. “There’s a disclaimer on the table sign. See? It says these books would make great flotilla themes. Other than The Grinch, which is definitely going to be in the lineup based on the event posters, any of these books or book characters could be out on the water tonight. Your magic is intact, Harry Potter.”

The group moved deeper into the store, where they found Laurel and the twins in the children’s area. Laurel was talking to Kim while Olivia’s niece, Caitlyn, read a book on a beanbag chair, and her nephew, Anders, played in the puppet theater. Laurel’s sons were sprawled out on the alphabet rug, each flipping through the pages of a Marvel comic.

Olivia noticed that the other moms stood apart from Laurel and Kim, as though the pair had a contagious disease, and were engaged in bouts of animated whispering. They kept ogling Laurel and her boys until Olivia didn’t think she could stand it for another second.

“I got this,” Millay said, giving Olivia a coy wink.

Olivia nodded. There was no one she trusted more to address a slight.

“Could I help any of you ladies?” Millay asked the group of women in a bright singsong voice. “Maybe I could recommend a few titles for you?”

The women eyed Millay’s black-and-blue hair, pierced brow, black clothing, and spiky leather thigh-high boots and demurred. They’d already begun turning away from her when she flashed them a dangerous Cheshire cat smile.

“No, really, I have some great suggestions for all of you. How about a book called Judging Another Person When I Have No Idea What’s Really Going On? Or how about this one: Let’s Gossip About a Good Person Who’s Going Through a Hard Time to Make Myself Feel Better About My Own Imperfect Life?” Millay threw out her arms. “Any takers?”

The women, uncomfortable now, started gathering their children in an attempt to escape Millay’s accusatory gaze and maniacal smile.

“Okay, I can see I’m missing the mark.” Millay tapped her chin, feigning deep thought. “How about Shallow Suburbanites: The Art of Deserting Your Friends When They Need You Most?”

“Mommy?” a little girl asked a woman in jeans and a Christmas sweater. “What’s the lady with the blue hair talking about?”

Instead of answering, the woman grabbed her daughter by the arm and led her out of the children’s section.

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