Part 32 (1/2)

”I read the ending as ironic,” said Patricia. ”Either Greta's in shock or it's the killer's fantasy of what he'd like her to think.”

”I mustn't be clever enough. I just read what's there, me.”

”Can I table my opinion?” Walt said.

”It's your magazine,” said Sh.e.l.l.

”Hey, I'm just the money man. I'm looking at my fellow judges.”

”Tell us your judgement,” Valerie said.

”I'd publish the story. It got everyone talking. We can use the word of mouth. Bring readers in with a bit of controversy and they'll stay to read whatever else we're offering. But that's only one man's vote.”

”It gets mine,” said Patricia.

”I'll support that,” Valerie said.

”No point us drawing breath, Vincent,” said Sh.e.l.l.

Patricia thought he was distancing himself from Sh.e.l.l by saying ”I didn't like him putting his name in. What was it, the prize-winning bestseller by Dudley Smith.”