Free Wicked by Joanne Fluke Page B

probably write about it in one of his books.”
    â€œWrite about your personal experiences.” Eve rolled her eyes at the ceiling. “Is that what you’re saying, Angela?”
    â€œExactly! That’s why I think we should all try to write our usual chapters tonight. We can incorporate some of the feelings we have about Cheryl’s death into our own writing.”
    â€œWhat a great idea!” Ryan smiled at Angela. “Even if it doesn’t improve our work, it might make us feel better.”
    Angela smiled back. “Maybe we’ll even learn something valuable about ourselves.”
    â€œCome on, Angela.” Eve couldn’t believe her own ears. “You sound like Dear Abby!”
    Tracie turned to glare at Eve. “I think Angela’s right. This is the first time one of my friends died, and writing about it might help me to cope with my loss.”
    â€œOh, brother!” Eve snorted. “Jeremy’s writing a humor book. What’s he supposed to do? Undertaker jokes?”
    Jeremy cracked up and Eve felt slightly better. At least one person recognized Angela’s idea for the farce that it was. But then Jeremy started to look thoughtful. “You know . . . it might work, Angela. People joke to cover up their fears. It’s almost like they need to laugh in the face of death. I could do a chapter on that.”
    â€œPerfect!” Angela smiled. “Okay. Let’s all go up and get to work.”
    â€œHow about tempting fate, Angela?” Eve asked. “Your next chapter is a murder, isn’t it?”
    â€œYes.” Angela was serious as she faced the group. “I was upset when I talked to Eve this afternoon. I know this sounds crazy, but I felt I’d tempted fate by killing off Cheryl’s character. Eve convinced me that it was just a coincidence. She was . . . well . . . Eve was just wonderful!”
    Ryan turned to smile at Eve. “Good for you, honey!”
    â€œI’ve decided to go on with Ten Little Writers .” Angela smiled at Eve. “Thank you, Eve.”
    Scott started to clap, and soon everyone was applauding. Eve managed to put a smile on her face, but she felt more like screaming in pure frustration. Angela had just cheated her out of her evening alone with Ryan.
    â€œSo who are you going to kill off next, Angela?” Eve kept the smile on her face. “Me?”
    â€œNo, Eve. I can’t kill your character yet. I considered it because I knew you wouldn’t mind, but it just won’t work with my plot.”
    â€œHow about me?” Jeremy asked. “I don’t mind if my character gets it.”
    â€œNo, it’s got to be a female. I guess it’s between Beth and Tracie.”
    Beth looked nervous, but she nodded agreeably. “You can murder my character, Angela. I’m not that superstitious.”
    â€œThank you, Beth.” Angela reached out to squeeze Beth’s hand. “I’ll think about it, okay?”
    Tracie realized that everyone was looking at her and she squared her shoulders. “You can kill me, Angela. I’m not superstitious, either.”
    â€œAre you kidding?!” Scott started to laugh. “Come on, Tracie . . . you were afraid of Cheryl’s spirit!”
    Tracie looked very embarrassed. “I know, but I’m not afraid now. And Angela’s got to promise that if she kills me off, I get to sleep in her room tonight. Okay, Angela?”
    â€œOkay. If I kill off your character, you can sleep in my room. That’s a promise.” Angela smiled at Tracie. “And now . . . let’s all go up and get to work!”
    * * *
    Wicked smiled as the pages rolled out of the printer. It had been a very productive night. Everyone had written their chapter, even Eve, and that was a pleasant surprise. Eve hadn’t wanted to stay in her room and write tonight. But she had, and Wicked felt like applauding. And here were the chapters.