Chapters (36)
The arrangement seems to be working out pretty well, though I thought you were at least going to mention me in the acknowledgments. I don’t mind you getting all the attention from the media—I hate that kind of thing. But why couldn’t you at least include my name somewhere? I expected a bit more gratitude, frankly. The money’s good—I’m not complaining about that, but if it weren’t for me, your name wouldn’t be on the bestseller list, you know. I’m glad it’s time for a new contract. I’m going to want some changes, but I’ll let you know what they are after I’ve had a chance to think more about them.
The letter went on to describe, only in the briefest terms, the idea for the next book and asked for feedback on it.
This was pretty clear evidence that Godfrey was putting his name on another writer’s work. It also sounded like X was getting a bit restive over the lack of attention.
Why had Godfrey kept these disks? If he’d had any sense, he would have destroyed them years ago. They clearly weren’t intended to be part of his archive, since the box was not included on the inventory. Knowing the man’s arrogance, however, I figured he never thought it possible that anyone would find out about his deception.
Some overzealous person must have seen the box and simply included it with the rest. Godfrey would no doubt have had a fit if he had known.
But what a stroke of luck. I silently thanked whoever had stuck the box of disks in with everything else.
This was something Kanesha Berry needed to know about, and I planned to tell her.
First, though, I wanted to dig further and see if there were other letters. Had Godfrey continued to put his name to X’s work?
I realized I should also check the acknowledgments in all of the books to see if there were any clues in them.
Did his agent know? I wondered. I would have to start keeping note of the questions that occurred to me.
Back to checking the disks. I went through them chronologically. There was no letter included on the disks for the next book on the list. I went on to the fifth book.
Pay dirt. My eyes widened as I read this letter.