Chapter 9 The Up and Coming Writer

An excerpt from The Titanium Mysteries Book 1: What Is She Doing Here?

Detectives Julian and Zelda were going over more known data on Zeta. There was quite a bit of documentation on her writing career. Her work history was solid on the writing, but spotty when she had worked for employers.

“Jule, I hope this is helping.”

He sighed. “How is this supposed to help?”

“You’re getting to know her background. I find it always helps to get to know a woman I find myself attracted to.”

He half smiled at her.

“Here’s a site which has reviewed her work. She’s self published so some of these comments are a bit snotty.”

“But there are some good comments on her work. Sounds to me like she knows more about how to package books than some of the traditional publishers.”

“Yeah, interesting. That can’t be easy to do all the book work.” Zelda touched the screen and found more information. “Here’s her personal website.”

Julian looked at the site. “It’s organized well. I can follow all of this information. She’s transparent. She’s doing a lot of work.”

“I think she spends a lot of time alone.”

“To be a writer is to be alone.”

Zelda pulled up her work history with her former employers. “Oh, do you see this, Jule?”

“Yeah, she has a terrible work history with employers, but she does work. Perhaps she works better on her own than for someone else.”

Zelda smiled. “Feeling better yet?”

“I’d feel better when we solve this case.”

“What if she’s guilty of murder?”

“Then I won’t see her again.”

“You’ll miss her.”

Julian blinked. “I don’t know. I hardly know her.”

“If she’s innocent?”

“Then I would try to be her friend.”

“Just her friend?”

“Uh, yeah. She probably won’t accept anything else.”

Zelda chuckled. “I’m not sure there’s any hope for you.”

“Oh, that’s not good…”

“What’s the problem? Other detectives don’t seem to care and sleep with the suspects.”

“That’s unethical. Besides she would kill me if tried.”

She shook her head. “I’m glad you’re my partner instead of those other detectives.”

“Because I treat you better than they would.”

“Yeah, and you don’t seem to care I’m a lesbian.”

“I don’t care. That’s your business. We just work together.”

“So you wouldn’t want to date someone you work with?”

“That’s not ethical. And what happens when the relationship goes sour?”

“Good point.” She checked over more data. “Jule, I’m not sure Zeta committed murder.”

“No? What makes you say that?”

“Because it wouldn’t make any sense to kill the person who hired her to do a job that she loves so well. She enjoys a challenge and I’m sure he gave her one.”

“Good point. I hope she didn’t kill anyone.”

Zelda shook her head and smiled at him.