After her visit to Roman Manchester’s office the day before, Avery had stopped at the Strand Bookstore to pick out a couple Natalie Ratcliff novels. She found two shelves of the woman’s books and went back to her hotel with a bagful of paperbacks. Despite that she was chasing a story and had plenty of work to do, Avery got sucked into one of Natalie’s novels. The protagonist—a portly private eye named Peg Perugo—investigated the shady dealings of a good-looking ER doctor, discovering in the process that good sex trumped Medicare fraud. The story was silly and sophomoric, and kept Avery up until 2:00 a.m. before she forced herself to close the book and get some sleep.

In the morning Avery did some quick Internet snooping and learned that Natalie Ratcliff split her time between New York and North Carolina. She treated herself to a lavish month-long vacation to the Greek isles each year to finish her new book. She was married to an executive at a cruise line, and had three children—two were grown and on their own, one was still in college. She had practiced medicine for eight years before she quit to write novels. She lived on the twenty-second floor of One 57, and her apartment door opened as soon as Avery exited the elevator.

Avery saw the woman laugh and shake her head. “Avery Mason is in my elevator. Is this really happening?”

“I should be asking the same question. The Natalie Ratcliff, taking a meeting with me.”

“Like I’d ever turn it down,” Natalie said. “I’m a huge fan. Please, come in.”

The apartment was large, beautiful, professionally decorated, and offered a clear view of Central Park. It was a view Avery remembered from her childhood. Off the living room was a giant mahogany-studded office outlined by yawning French doors. Avery saw framed covers of Natalie’s novels hanging on the walls, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined with her titles. Avery spotted Baggage, the slightly trashy and mindless novel that had kept her up most of the night.

“I have to admit,” Avery said, “I hadn’t read any of your novels when I talked with you, but I picked a few of your books up yesterday and got hopelessly sucked into one of them last night. Couldn’t put it down. So you can count me as a new fan.”

Natalie put her hand over her heart. “Now, that’s about the biggest compliment I’ve ever received. Avery Mason, a fan of my books. Thank you.”

Avery pointed to Natalie’s office. “Baggage. Honestly, I couldn’t stop reading it. Kept me up way too late.”