Dying to Get Published by Judy Fitzwater Read Free Book Online Page B

She took a sip of ginger ale. "It's true what they say, you know. The best revenge is living well."
    "And this is living well," Jennifer agreed, surveying the room. It looked like something out of Southern Living . The furnishings dripped money, and the entire back wall was floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a backdrop with a postcard view of the city's skyline.
    "Do you like living here? What are your neighbors like?" Jennifer asked casually.
    "It's quite pleasant. Of course, so many of the residents work. Not too many are home during the day, and I don't go out much at night. And what brings you to Atlanta, Sophie?"
    She should have put more thought into this name."Oh, you know, the usual…" Something. The usual something. What the heck brought people to Atlanta?
    "Your usual monthly doctor's visit? I should have guessed. But I would have thought you'd have a doctor in Macon. Oh, my, my. Don't tell me. It's not a rare condition, is it? Something that might threaten our little one?"
    Jennifer drew her lips inside her mouth, clamped down on them, and gave a curt little nod of her head. She did better letting Mrs. Walker answer for her than she did by herself.
    "You don't want to talk about it, do you?"
    Jennifer shook her head vigorously. She certainly didn't. She wanted to talk about Penney Richmond. But she'd settle for the bronzed elephant on Mrs. Walker's bookcase.
    "You have such exotic things," Jennifer observed. "That elephant, wherever did you get it?"
    Mrs. Walker patted her hand. "You like that, do you? Mr. Hammerstein three doors down brought that to me from India last spring when he was there on vacation. It's not so bad, I guess, but it doesn't quite suit my taste. You see that jade Buddha on the shelf above it?"
    Jennifer nodded.
    "Mrs. Swimmer brought it to me from Japan. I can't stand the monstrosity, but she pops in at the most unexpected times to check on me, so I have to keep it out."
    Jennifer needed to get back on course before she got a grand tour of every gift and bauble in Mrs. Walker's collection. Her eyes lighted on the books filling the bottom two shelves.
    "I see you have books," she said stupidly. "Are any of your neighbors in the publishing industry?"
    Mrs. Walker looked at her quizzically, as if to say, "That's quite a leap." Thank goodness, the woman was far too genteel for that!
    "The only tenant I'm aware of that is employed in that business is an incredibly annoying creature." Mrs. Walker sipped her drink while an uncomfortable warmth surged through Jennifer's body.
    "What does she do?"
    "She's one of those high-powered literary agents—married and divorced more than once. I've heard she has men up to her place. I see her dragging in on Fridays. She's just not as young as she pretends to be—has to rest up for her nights out—or in—if you know what I mean." The old woman gave her a sly wink. "But if they've got enough money, the management looks the other way."
    Jennifer shook her head in disapproval. "Does she live on this floor?"
    "Next one down."
    "Right beneath you, then. No wonder you're annoyed by her entertaining. She must make a lot of noise."
    "No, dear, she's over in the other section of the building, number 1129, near Mr. Staunton."
    Jennifer suspected this Mr. Staunton served as a kind of wire service for the building.
    "These units with the view, the ones with a floor plan like this one, are the more expensive ones. They don't come up for sale very often."
    Jennifer glanced at her watch. As much as she'd like to stay and pump Mrs. Walker for more information, she had to get back to Macon. Dee Dee had a job scheduled for seven o'clock. She'd barely have enough time to catch a cab back to the bus depot and make it in time to change and get over to the house.
    "I didn't realize it was so late," she said out loud. "I've got to get home." She returned her glass to the tray and stood up.
    "Must you, dear?"
    "I'm afraid I must," Jennifer assured her, moving toward the foyer.
    "And