Murder in Death's Door County Read Online Free PDF Page A

isn’t that close! And I thought you’d said I’d have
limited access to him. Why do I need to move up there?”
    “In addition to vindicating Marcos, the
piece is supposed to be a ‘slice of life’ type of book. He’s started a kind of
artist colony up in Door County, so you’ll need to get a feel for the place.”
    “The artist colony?”
    “No, just the culture of the area.
Marcos recommended it.”
    Anxiety warred with practicality for a
few seconds. But, the fact still remained that I had quit my job and had
outstanding bills to pay. Plus, it didn’t hurt that I loved Door County, and
really could use a change. I had grown stagnant in Milwaukee. I felt like my
friends were moving on with their lives, while I was still waiting for my
adventure.
    “Aw, c’mon, Annie. We really need you to
do this book.”
    Practicality and the need for adventure
won out. I ground out, “Fine, I’ll do it.
    “And you’re going to bring up the extra
five thousand? And you’re going to cover my room and board for the designated
time?” I confirmed.
    “Yep.” Hmmm… he had agreed to that room
and board request a little too readily. He must be desperate.
    “All right, Harry. This is it, though.
No more surprises. Please. I can’t take any more surprises. Okay?”
    “Yeah sure, doll. I’ll be up Saturday
afternoon. We can go over your outline then and I’ll give you the bonus check.
Oh, and I already stuck the first payment in the mail.”
    Begrudgingly, I thanked him. “Um, how
will I get in touch with Marcos?”
    “Let him call you. He has all of your
contact info. Be ready to answer his call anywhere and anytime. He really doesn’t
like to be kept waiting.”
    Oh great!
     
    — –
     
    At ten the next morning, my phone rang
and caller ID said, “Unknown.” Tentatively, I answered it.
    In for a penny, in for a pound, I
thought as I said, “Hello?”
    “Hello. Is this Annie Malone?” answered
a low, growly voice. He had a very heavy Mediterranean accent. Given his name, I
had assumed he came from Greece. Given the growliness of his voice, I didn’t
dare ask.
    “Well, um, yeah, hi. This is Annie. Oh,
right, you know that already. I’m going to be writing your book. I’m so glad
you call-”
    “Of course! Of course! Oh, Harry spoke
of you in such glowing terms! You are going to help vindicate me after my
terrible ordeal!” Huh, he certainly liked to exclaim things.
    “V-vindicate? Well, I don’t kn-now
about vindication, per se. I d-do know that I’m going to get your story
out there.” I stammered, “I-I me-mean if you need vindication, then I
guess I’m h-here to help.”
    Mentally, I banged my head against the
wall. This guy had me frazzled within 10 seconds of talking to him. How did
that happen?
    “You must vindicate us! We are pinning
all of our hopes on you,” continued Marcos. “I have been framed, framed I tell
you! And I will have redemption!”
    Okay, Sparky, just calm down. I had
learned that people got very passionate about their books. They paid a lot of
money to Harry and expected their ghostwriter to be a sort of therapist. In my
time with Harry, I had heard a lot of bizarre stories and life viewpoints.
Typically, I viewed clients with a certain detachment in order to keep my
sanity. Marcos seemed to want to pull me into the phone and into his story.
Once I realized that, I was able to retain a sense of objectivity (and lose the
stammer).
    “Marcos, I will do everything I can to
get your story told.”
    “Have your read our case yet? You
believe I’m innocent, don’t you?” Marcos sounded slightly suspicious.
    “Harry sent me some of the files, but he
said you could send me additional files. Also, I’d like to set up some time for
us to conduct a phone interview.”
    “The InterGlobal Bank is persecuting me.
They are hunting down my family and in cahoots with the police departments. Did
you know that? Did you know that the police sent me to prison? Wrongly. They
framed me.