The Accidental Florist

as you only give any results to me directly.“
    “I wouldn’t ever consider talking about this with anybody else. I promise you that. And I might not be able to find out anything.“
    Jane was on the phone with her new publicist. The former one had decided to become an agent.
    “I’m glad to hear from you,“ Jane said.
    The new publicist, Sandra, said, “You’ve received your own copies of the first book, haven’t you?“
    “I have. I love the cover.“
    “It’s a good thing you and your editor and your agent all agreed to let the first two be in paperback. If the sales are good, we’ll probably go to hardback for the third.“
    “Why is that? I’m new to this business.“
    “Because however charming you are at signings, most readers of mysteries don’t want to invest over $24 on a new writer. But they’ll pay six-fifty or even close to seven dollars to try the first two. And if they like them as well as I know they will, they’ll cough up the money for the hardback for the third one.“
    “That makes sense,“ Jane said. “I feel the same way about new authors.“
    “Now, I’ve set up two chats and then signings for next week in your area. One of the mystery bookstores is downtown, one is suburban.“
    “Chats?“
    “Just a few minutes to say a little bit about yourself Why you took up writing, or where you grew up, or whatever you feel strongly about. Make it upbeat and smile the whole time. And then ask if anybody has questions. If they don’t, the bookseller will start putting the books out for you to sign. If there are too many questions, the bookseller will know how to tactfully cut them off
    “Your driver will then take you to other major chains. She will call ahead to make sure they have the books ready for signing. Oh, sign them with a colored pen. That way readers won’t think it’s a machine-made signature.“
    Jane laughed. “I never knew there was such a thing. Any other advice?“
    “ Just smile all the time, no matter how tired your hand feels. I’ll e-mail you the times and the names of the booksellers and the name of your escort.“
    “May I take someone along?“
    “Do you need someone along?“
    “My neighbor and best friend would like to go with me, and give me a heads-up if I quit smiling,“ Jane said.
    “I don’t see why not. And congratulations on your first book. I’ve read it and loved it and I understand the second one is already here. I’m going to snag a copy as soon as they copyedit it.“
    “Thank you for being so patient with a newbie, Sandy. I’ll take all your advice.“
    Jane hung up and did a little dance around the living room, scaring Max and Meow, who were sleeping curled up together on the sofa.
    “I’m a real writer now, kitties,“ she said, giving them both neck scritches.

Chapter Twelve

    Jane invited Mel to come to dinner. She had a copy of her book already signed for him. “To Mel, With Love, From Jane.“
    She’d made crispy fried chicken breasts, mashed potatoes, and overcooked green beans with onions and bacon. Good old comfort food. After dinner she gave him the book.
    “I hope you’ll read it. It’s really a book women will enjoy more than men. Then you never have to read another one if you don’t want to.“
    “Jane, I intend to read every single one of them.“
    “Really and truly, you don’t have to read them.“ Quickly changing the subject, she asked, “How is your case about Miss Welbourne going?“
    “Slowly. My bright new assistant has found Welbournes that may or may not be her children.“
    Jane asked, “Is this new assistant pretty?“
    Mel laughed. “Not especially. But she’s smart and dogged.“
    “So how did she find these people?“
    Mel explained about the temp at the front desk filling in for the hungry guy who was eating lunch.
    “She is clever,“ Jane agreed. “Do I understand that you’re not sure they are related to Miss Welbourne? Granted, it’s a strange name, spelled strangely.“
    “According to Officer Needham, there are quite a few people and places in England spelled that way. And even more in Australia.“
    “These people were from Australia?“
    “So their passports said. And they were here in Chicago the week she was murdered.“
    “Where are they now?“
    “They told the young man at the desk that they needed a car to take them to the airport for a particular flight to San Francisco.“
    “Are they there?“ Jane asked.
    “We don’t know yet. I’ve put in calls