Poison Pen

by Jacquelin Thomas

  “I needed them just like you did, Pip.”

  “I actually believe that you needed them more than I did,” he responded. “It was just a difficult time.”

  “Mother was so consumed with making sure we looked like the perfect family to everyone. I think that’s the real reason we started going to the church.”

  “I don’t know if that’s true. I think she was overwhelmed. She’d become a mother relatively young.” Pip shrugged. “I don’t know…”

  “I met Reggie a month after I moved here. My writing took off and after a few months, so did he. He never knew about the baby. I was in so much pain at that time. Then Mother and Father died. That’s when you showed up.” Harini smiled. “I was so happy to see you. I didn’t know how much I needed you until then.”

  “So, here we are on the cold winter night.”

  “Here we are…”

  Chapter 22

  Bailey and Lanelle arrived in Orlando on Thursday morning.

  “According to the agenda, our workshop is today at 11 a.m. We have time to get to the hotel and freshen up.”

  “This is my first workshop,” Bailey confessed. “I was up late practicing last night.”

  Lanelle chuckled. “You’re going to be fine.”

  The first person Bailey saw when she walked through the lobby was Harini who said, “I was surprised when I saw your name as one of the presenters. Two books and now you think you’re an expert.” She broke into a harsh laugh.

  “I don’t claim to be an expert by any means, Harini. That’s what you do. My workshop is on finding the right mentor. Are you being catty because you’re worried about what I might say?”

  Harini slithered close to her. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? One thing for sure. I’ve never been worried about you, Bailey.”

  They locked gazes. “That was your first mistake.”

  Lanelle walked over to where they were standing. “Well isn’t it the great lady herself… Harini Samuels.”

  “How interesting that the two of you have suddenly become besties.” While pretending to admire her nails, she added, “I guess it’s to be expected. After all, you two have a lot of shared interests.”

  Bailey rolled her eyes heavenward before saying, “I do hope you’re planning to attend our workshop, Harini. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.”

  “If I don’t have a better offer, then I just might stop in.”

  “We look forward to seeing you then,” Lanelle said. “It’s not like you have a line of folks waiting to talk to you.”

  Bailey stifled a laugh as they strode off leaving Harini with an ugly scowl on her face.

  “That wasn’t very nice, Lanelle.”

  “She deserved it.”

  Bailey glanced at her watch. “We need to get to the Emerald room. We have like ten minutes before our session starts.

  “You think Harini’s going to come?” Lanelle asked.

  “Oh yeah,” Bailey murmured. “She’s not going to miss this for the world.”

  After a brief introduction, Bailey said, “Whether you’re a novice writer looking for answers to basic questions or a frequently published one with years of experience under your belt, every writer can benefit from having a mentor. But where do you find the right mentor?”

  Her eyes traveled to the woman who’d just entered the room. Bailey bit back a smile. She knew Harini wouldn’t be able to resist coming to the workshop—she was both curious and just straight nosy.

  Lanelle spoke next on the several ways a writer could benefit from mentorship. While she talked, Bailey’s gaze darted back and forth to Harini.

  Fifteen minutes before the end of the workshop, they opened it up for questions.

  A young writer raised her hand, then stood up. “I’m a new writer and I came up with what I think is the perfect title for my book, but then a book came out earlier this year with that same title. Can I still use it?”

  “Yes, you can,” Bailey responded. “You can’t copyright a title.”

  “Thank you.”

  Another person stood up. “My question is pretty much the same except I was in a critique group and one of the people there used my title for their book. I have a problem with it.”

  “I can understand why you’d feel that way,” Bailey said. “While what that person did is not illegal, this becomes an issue of morals.” Her eyes traveled to Harini.

  Their gazes met and held.

  “I agree with Bailey,” Lanelle interjected. “I experienced exactly what you mentioned but it wasn’t just my title. I thought this person was my friend. I thought she wanted to help me. Instead, my outline became her next book.”

  A sea of murmurs swept across the room.

  “I experienced the same thing,” Bailey interjected. “As you can imagine, the sting of betrayal was painful. I stopped writing for four years. I am still not comfortable discussing any of my ideas with anyone other than my agent and editor.”

  “Unlike Bailey, I didn’t let what happened stop me from writing. I was angry, but I let that anger fuel my determination to make it as an author. Like Bailey, I don’t talk about my work with other writers.”

  “So, there isn’t anything a person can do legally when this happens?” the writer in the audience asked.

  “I’m afraid not,” Bailey responded. “The way that I made it through was to come to the realization that what God has for me is for me. Nobody can tell my story the way I can.

  Nobody can tell your story the way you can. Just hold onto that.” She could feel the heat of Harini’s glare, but Bailey didn’t care. This was only the beginning of what Harini would have to face.

  “Would either of you ever consider another mentor?” Someone from the audience asked.

  “I would,” Lanelle responded. “I know that all people aren’t the same. It’s just that I’m being very careful this time around. I’m going to really get to know the person instead of believing in the hype.”

  “Like Lanelle said, I’ll have to take my time. I’ll ask more questions. We listed some questions you ask when looking for a mentor—not just for your writing career. You can use these for work as well. One thing I want to say is that the person who did this to me—that person will have to answer for it. Not to me, but to God. As I said before, what God has for me—it’s for me. I allowed that person to delay my calling, but they couldn’t stop it. That was just one idea… I have so many more—more than I can ever write.” Bailey smiled. “Keep writing.”

  Whispers surrounded Harini as she sat in the audience listening to Bailey and Lanelle play the victim.

  She caught a few people giving her subtle glimpses, but she ignored them. No one was brave enough to accuse her directly.

  They didn’t dare.

  Besides, she hadn’t done anything wrong. Harini sighed in frustration. She was sick of writers not understanding how it worked in the publishing industry. There were only so many freaking plots in the world. It’s not like she’d plagiarized their work. They could still put out their work—it didn’t resemble anything she had written. Just get over it already.

  After the workshop, Kaile walked over, a grin on her face. “It’s a shame what some people are doing; taking advantage of writers under the guise of helping them. I can’t image who could be so cruel.”

  “Get away from me,” Harini hissed.

  “You know… I heard several people whispering that they thought it was you, but I said to myself… naw… she’s self-absorbed, petty and messy… but she isn’t low down enough to steal other people’s ideas.”

  Harini moved closer to Kaile saying, “You sure you want to have this dance with me? I haven’t done anything wrong, but you… you have a lot to hide, don’t you? Like how you were arrested for harassing Zeke’s wife a couple of months ago.”

  Kaile’s surprise was evident.

  “Oh, you didn’t think I knew about that.” Harini smiled. “I know everything.”

  “I really don’t know why I sh
ould be shocked? This is what you do. Look for dirt on everybody. You just don’t bother to find out the whole story. Zeke’s wife confronted me and when I wouldn’t back down, she called the police and accused me of harassing her. You need to stop what you’re doing, Harini,” Kaile warned. “People are talking about you. Rumors are already swirling.”

  “As if you care anything about me.”

  “I don’t,” Kaile stated. “I don’t like anything about you. I’m just making sure you understand that the first shot’s been fired. You’re going to mess with the wrong person and they won’t care about exposing you.”

  Lifting her chin, Harini said, “I’m not worried about that.”

  “I don’t believe that for a minute. I saw your face. You were terrified, especially when Bailey was speaking. I saw her look directly at you.”

  “Was it the same look I saw on yours when I mentioned your arrest?”

  Kaile slipped the strap of her purse on her shoulder. “You can erase that smug expression. You haven’t won yet. Just know that I’m not the one you’re going to have to worry about. Bailey Hargrove is a different story.”

  Harini walked out of the conference room.

  She caught sight of a group of authors staring at her. Harini lifted her chin, stared ahead and walked toward the elevators.

  Once she was in her hotel suite, Harini picked up a pillow and tossed it across the room. “I’m not about to let you two skanks get away with this.” She was getting a Lifetime Achievement award on Saturday night, but Bailey and Lanelle were trying to ruin it for her.

  She paced the floor, fighting back tears.

  Harini picked up her cell phone, then tossed it on the sofa. She put a fist to her mouth, muffling her scream.

  “I think that went well,” Lanelle said when they settled in Bailey’s hotel room.

  “Did you see that look she gave us?”

  “Girl… she wanted to choke the life out of us.”

  Laughing, Bailey agreed. “Harini was hawt. I have to confess that it felt good seeing her squirm.”

  Lanelle picked up a pillow on the sofa. “I don’t know if you noticed, but people started looking at her and whispering. I think they knew that it was her.”

  Bailey shrugged in nonchalance. “She deserves more than that as far as I’m concerned.”

  “I’m really glad Kaile introduced us. I really admire you and I hope that we become great friends.”

  Touched, Bailey said, “Lanelle, that’s so sweet of you to say.”

  “I mean it. After what I experienced with Harini—I truly appreciate women like you and Kaile. You’re both comfortable in your success and you don’t mind sharing information or lending support. This is real girl power.” Lanelle paused a moment, then continued. “Bailey, I’d like for you to think about being my mentor. I completely understand if you don’t want to do it. I just want you to please think about it.”

  “Oh wow…”

  “I hope I didn’t just make things awkward between us.”

  “You didn’t,” Bailey responded. “For the most part, I want to just stay in my lane and write, but I’ll give it some thought, Lanelle.”

  “Thank you.”

  The conversation turned to relationships.

  “So, are you involved with someone special?” Bailey inquired. “I couldn’t help but notice that someone’s been blowing up your phone.”

  “It’s this guy. We’ve been dating for almost a year.” Lanelle settled back against the sofa cushions. “He wants to take our relationship to the next level.”

  “What about you? How do you feel about it?”

  “I don’t think I’m ready for that. I have fun with this guy, but I’m not in love with him.”

  Bailey leaned forward. “Have you ever been in love?”

  “Yeah. I have, but it was a long time ago.”

  “What happened?”

  Lanelle took a long sip from her water bottle. “We were in college and things just fizzled out when he was in grad school.”

  “That’s it?” Bailey asked.

  She laughed. “Yeah. He was really focused on his career and I was obsessed with becoming his wife. When I realized what I was doing—I ended the relationship. He didn’t object, so we went our separate ways. He’s married now and here I am—still single.”

  “But you have someone who’s crazy about you.”

  “You’re right and he’s not a psycho,” Lanelle said with a short laugh. “Maybe I should go to my room and give him a call.”

  “I think you should,” Bailey responded. “In fact, I’m going to give my hubby a call as well. I really miss him and my babies.”

  “How about we meet around six in the lobby for dinner with Kaile?”

  Bailey picked up her phone. “I’ll see you then.”

  Trace answered on the third ring. “Hello.”

  “Hey baby,” she said in a sultry voice. “I miss you.”

  “I miss you, too. How did the workshop go?”

  “Great, I think,” Bailey responded. “Harini was in the audience.”

  “Really. How did that make you feel?”

  “I wanted her there, Trace. I wanted her to hear everything Lanelle and I had to say.”

  “You wanted a reaction.”

  “I suppose so,” Bailey responded. “I guess I just wanted Harini to know that it wasn’t okay what she did to me.”

  “So, did you get what you wanted?”

  “It’s a start and please don’t start lecturing me, Trace. I need to do this my way.”

  “Okay.”

  “Where’s Maddie and T.J.? I’m surprised I don’t hear them laughing and talking in the background.”

  “That’s because they’re in the kitchen with your mom. They’re making peanut butter cookies for dessert.”

  “Fun times,” Bailey murmured. “My sisters and I used to do that every Saturday night with her. We’d make cookies to give out after church on Sunday.”

  “They seem to be having a ball in there. Maddie rushed me out of the kitchen. She told me I had to stay in my office until dinner.”

  Bailey burst into laughter. “You’re on a time-out. I love it.”

  After they hung up, she reached for her book. Bailey had finished Randy’s debut novel and was in the middle of the second. She intended to finish it by the time she returned home.

  Chapter 23

  In a few short hours, she was to be on stage to receive a distinguished award. All attention was to be on her—Harini felt she deserved this recognition and the applause, but now it was tainted by rumors.

  “I wish you were here, Pip so I wouldn’t have to deal with this alone, but I’ll be fine. I can handle these nobodies.”

  She felt a headache coming on. Harini lay down on the sofa, hoping it would ease off before the awards dinner. Since people were whispering about her—she needed to be the picture of perfection.

  Once she was dressed, Harini eyed her reflection in the full-length mirror. She closed her eyes and raised her face as if to seek the warmth of a spotlight as the audience roared their love and appreciation for her. This is what she lived for—to be adored.

  Tonight was to be no exception. From the beginning, she’d delivered on her promise of great stories. Harini felt she deserved to be recognized for her efforts.

  Upon entering the ballroom, the first person she laid eyes on was Bailey. She smiled as if she was the bearer of some great secret. Harini yearned to go over and knock the smug expression off her face but resisted the urge.

  She took her seat and patiently waited for her moment to shine. Before the night was over, Harini would be acknowledged for her great body of work. This pleased her greatly.

  Of course there were a few disgruntled authors in the audience, but she refused to let them steal her joy. She was the winner here and nothing could change that. The literary world was better with her being a part of it.

  The time to accept her award arrived.

  Harini rose up an
d walked gracefully to the stage. She smiled for the cameras as she accepted the beautiful statuette.

  She had practiced her speech for days and it was perfect.

  The only flaw in what would have been a wondrous and memorable moment was that there was no standing ovation—only applause.

  She blamed Bailey and Lanelle.

  They had ruined this evening for her and she was going to destroy them.

  Bailey wasn’t surprised when Lanelle sent her a screenshot of Harini’s post.

  “I agree. It’s clearly directed at you,” she told Lanelle over the phone. She low-key calling you a copycat.”

  “She can say whatever she want. I don’t even know the person she’s talking about and I didn’t copy anything—the guy that did my website created my logo and everything.” Lanelle chuckled. “She’s ridiculous.”

  “We expected her to retaliate, so here it is—she’s not finished though, so be prepared,” Bailey said. “She doesn’t have anything on me.”

  She really don’t have anything on me either,” Lanelle responded. “I guess she’ll start posting bad reviews under fake names now.”

  They both laughed.

  “Trace, I need to go to Georgia,” Bailey told her husband when she got off the phone. It was time to go digging in Harini’s closet.

  He laid down the newspaper he’d been reading. “Why?”

  “Research,” Bailey responded as she joined him at the breakfast table. “I need to find out everything I can about Randy Spook.”

  “You’re doing this for what?”

  “I’m curious, Trace,” Bailey said, “and I’m actually thinking of writing a book based on his life. He was an incredible writer who didn’t get a chance to be what he could be. He’s been dead almost 15 years. It would be nice If I could release this book on the anniversary of his death.”

  “I won’t stop you, although I know this has more to do with Harini than anything else,” Trace said, “but do what you have to do.”

  “I’m going to drive down on Thursday and I’ll be back home on Sunday.”