Bell, Book, and Scandal

probably still in your van. The police have the original page. If you want me to call them and tell them to save it, I will.“
    “Please do. Take my car keys and see if the rest of the book is still in the van, would you?“
    “Of course. But only if you eat the whole bowl of pretzels while I’m gone. Where is your van parked?“
    “On the north side of the hotel. It’s dark blue.“
    She rose quickly, meaning to take Shelley along. But she was afraid getting Shelley would take too much time. She didn’t want Zac to disappear or become thoroughly drunk.
    The moment she was out of the elevator, she called Mel and said, “Would you please save that page you faxed me?“
    “Janey! What is this obsession?“
    “I don’t have time to explain. Please just take my word that it’s important.“
    There was a long silence before he said, “You’re meddling in something that’s none of your business and probably dangerous, aren’t you?“
    “Not in the least. I must go. I’ll get back to you later to explain.“
    She’d been making this promise to too many people in the last few minutes.
    The parking lot was deserted and she harked back to Mel’s accusation. She hurried to the van, unlocked it, hopped in, and relocked the doors while she hunted. She was still haunted by the dream she’d had last night. She could imagine the glass monster suddenly appearing in the window.
    Finally she found the book half under the passenger seat. At least she assumed it was the right book. It had fallen to pieces. She stacked them up the best she could and dumped some newer books out of a plastic bag and put the old book in it.
    Looking carefully to see who might be around, and finding the small lot behind the hotel still deserted, and no monster in view, she climbed out of the van, locked it back up, bolted for the front of the hotel, and took the elevator back to the top floor.
    Zac was still where she’d left him. His normal color had returned. The bowl of pretzels was empty. He looked more alert and hadn’t even finished the drink.
    Jane put the plastic bag down on the table, and he all but fell on it. “Where did you find it?“
    “Under the front passenger seat.“
    “Why would I have put it there?“ Zac asked himself. “I don’t suppose I’ll ever remember the reason.“
    “You don’t have to,“ Jane assured him. “Better that than reliving the whole incident.“
    “How can I ever thank you enough?“
    “Give me a good review without the words ‘powder puff’ in it, if I ever get published,“ Jane said with a smile. “Now tell me why putting this book in Sophie’s hands was so important.“
    He did so.
    After listening to his explanation, Jane said, “That was first on my list of suspicions. I think you, I, and my friend Shelley should make a point of finding Sophie Smith as quickly as we can. Are you feeling well enough to do that yet?“
     

Nineteen
     
    “Stay right where you are , Z ac,“ Jane said. “use my cell phone to call Sophie Smith while I find my friend Shelley.“
    When she completed the long gallop to the far end of the hall at practically the speed of light, she burst into the room and told Shelley what Zac had told her.
    “I know all about it. I’ve been on the computer. I found Vernetta’s e-pubbed book and did a search for an unusual phrase on your copy of the pages. I didn’t know the work was Zac’s though. She’s plagiarized his book and probably plagiarized someone else’s as well. I read part of the woman character’s scenes and they’re an entirely different style. Is Zac with you?“
    “No. He’s at the other end of the hall.“
    “Then I can be honest. The other person’s work is good. Lots better than Zac’s writing. Just as boring a concept, however. How did you figure out it was Zac’s work?“ Shelley asked.
    “I don’t have time to explain. I’ll tell you all about it later,“ Jane replied. “This is the third time I’ve said that to someone. Zac has my cell phone and is trying to reach Sophie Smith. He’s in the bar at the far end of this hallway.“
    “There’s a bar on this floor? I wish I’d known,“ Shelley said distractedly. She gathered up the pages she’d printed out on the little printer connected to her laptop.
    They hurried down the hall. Jane introduced Shelley to Zac and asked him if he’d been able to reach Sophie.
    “She’s waiting for me. She doesn’t know the two of you are coming along too.“
    “Are you feeling