Page 10 of D for Dead

‘It was hard for me to come here today, Amy. Knowing what you did.’

The last word was full of accusation.

Amy had known Nadine would be pissed when her series of books came to an end. She was always first in the queue to buy a copy of each novel, gushing about how much she loved Zack Maguire and how the release of each book was the highlight of her year.

At first Amy had been flattered. Knowing her books were being enjoyed and that she had a fan unable to wait for the next instalment gave her a real kick and made the years of struggling worth it. But over the past couple of years Nadine’s behaviour had become more obsessive. She was always at book signings, insisting on her having her picture taken with Amy, and the way she spoke about the novels and her attachment to the characters didn’t seem normal. She had written letters too. Gushing letters about how the books had changed her life.

At the last launch, she had been so excited; Amy had dreaded her finding out the series was ending. She had let Nadine leave with her book, having cravenly dodged her questions about what would happen next, then waited expectantly for a letter to arrive at her publishers berating her for not telling the truth.

Except no letter had arrived.

There hadn’t been a single word from Nadine who had appeared to drop off the face of the earth. Until today.

Feeling uncomfortable and hoping Nadine wasn’t going to make a scene in the crowded store, Amy finished loading the unsold books into her one remaining box and picked it up, holding it defensively against her chest.

‘I couldn’t keep writing the same story forever,’ she tried to reason, aware her explanation sounded a bit lame.

‘Why not?’ Nadine countered.

‘The books had run their course. I wanted to try something new.’

‘New?’ The word was said with contempt.

‘Look, I’m sorry you’re disappointed, I really am.’ Actually, Amy wasn’t sorry at all. She had lost the passion for the Zack Maguire series and hadn’t been able to get the last book finished fast enough. She was only sorry she had been caught here by Nadine today and was having to explain her actions. ‘Six books were enough. The story had run its course.’

‘You killed him off!’ Nadine’s eyes flashed angrily. ‘Why would you do that? Have you any idea how upset it made me?’

Not upset enough that you’re gonna go all Kathy Bates on me, I hope.

Amy kept the sarcastic retort to herself. Nadine looked pissed and probably wouldn’t react well to the joke.

‘Why did you do it, Amy? Why?’

Her voice was loud enough now to draw attention from the other customers.

Amy hugged her box tighter to her chest with one arm, freeing the other to run her hand back through her hair, a gesture from childhood she tended to repeat when on edge or nervous.

While she was more than capable of holding her own in an argument, public confrontations weren’t her style.

‘Is everything okay here?’

To her embarrassment, she turned to see the store manager standing beside her, fixing Nadine with a pointed look. Nadine didn’t even bother to look at him, continuing instead to scowl at Amy.

‘You have no respect for your fans, Amy Gallaty.’ As she spat out Amy’s name, she poked the box sharply with a long red talon. ‘You say you’re sorry, but it’s a little late for that, isn’t it, missy?’

Amy could feel her hackles starting to rise. Who the hell did Nadine think she was? And what right did she have to question her writing choices? This wasn’t Misery and the woman was starting to piss her off.

‘I’m entitled to write what I want, Nadine. I don’t have to answer to you.’

Nadine’s mouth dropped open in surprise at Amy’s apparent sass.

‘So that’s what you think of your fans, is it? Expect them to support you and buy your books and recommend you to other people, but you don’t give a shit about their opinions.’

Her tone was bitter and angry now.

‘Madam, I am going to have to ask you to leave.’ The store manager had his arm around Nadine, trying to guide her away from Amy.

The woman wasn’t going quietly though and wrestled her way out of his grasp.