A Lover's Mask Read Free Page B

make a decision sometime.” Jenean added.
    â€œWe’ve been damned lucky someone else hasn’t already jumped on this thing,” Spivey cited.
    â€œYou’re right,” County admitted, surprised as well that a Ramsey novel hadn’t already beat the Contessa House version to the shelves. Spivey made a valid point and even she couldn’t deny the novel would be more engrossing in light of the fact that the killer had been caught—more or less.
    Spivey and Jenean watched their boss expectantly, waiting on some tilt of her head or wave of her hand to signify the go-ahead.
    â€œWhat about the rest of the family?” County asked, idly studying the spiked heel of one of the black leather boots she wore. “There’s more to the Ramseys’ story than what happened to Sera Black,” she reminded them.
    In response, Spivey hefted the three accordion folders he’d brought into the office. The folders teemed with so much information, they had to be secured with several fat rubber bands.
    â€œAll the data collected on every member of the Ramseys,” Spivey announced.
    â€œEvery member?” County asked, her thoughts turning immediately to Fernando Ramsey.
    â€œEven though formal charges have never been filed, there are some pretty brow raising facts in that mountain of stuff,” Jenean shared, entwining a heavy braid between her fingers. “We’ve got the makings of one hell of a book,” she predicted.
    â€œMaybe two even,” Spivey mused.
    â€œIs the research complete?” County inquired, rearing back in her chair while considering their news. “Are we really ready to go forward with this? Do you guys have an author in mind to work on the draft, or at the very least an outline?”
    â€œThere’s still work to be done,” Spivey admitted, exchanging a glance with Jenean.
    â€œThere’re a lot of Ramseys. All of them with interesting backgrounds,” Jenean cautioned.
    County agreed. “So how long would it take to complete the research if I give the go-ahead to continue? Well?” she prompted, when the two remained silent.
    â€œThat’s hard to pinpoint County,” Spivey acknowledged. “We’re successful, but we’re still a small house. It’d take the efforts of almost everyone on staff to wade through the information we do have.”
    â€œBut the rewards of such hard work would be astronomical,” Jenean guaranteed.
    County knew it was true. In spite of the house being such a financial success, it still lacked name recognition. She wanted Contessa House to be on the lips of the most discriminating personalities in the literary world. After all, her business was all she had. Her resolve in place, County stood and fixed Spivey and Jenean with challenging looks. “All right, get on it. Get on it. Get everyone you can spare on it and we’ll talk again next week.”
    Spivey and Jenean almost tripped over themselves when the decision reached their ears. They rambled nonstop on their way out the door. Alone in her office again, County hugged herself and then turned to judge the view of downtown from her tenth story window.
    Chicago in winter was no joke. The wind whipped without mercy. Snow blanketed the streets and then revisited with even more of its icy white for days to come. County shook her head, watching a crew of city workers preparing for that weekend’s expected storm. The group set up sturdy ropes along the sidewalks to assist pedestrians who had to travel the treacherous area by foot.
    â€œDammit,” County hissed, suddenly remembering the lunch appointment she was about to be late for. Glancing repeatedly at her watch, she grabbed a heavy black double breasted trench from the sofa and raced out the office.
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    Marvin’s was a high profile neighborhood club located a few blocks from Contessa House. County had received her weekly call from Dark Squires Enterprises