Wickedness in Wichita: Phil Bennett Mysteries, #2

By Douglas J. McLeod

Budding Author Phil Bennett is attending his first-ever author signing event, much to the chagrin of his two spiritual guises. However, when shenanigans befall him at the event, it throws him for a loop. It is up to him to find out who is behind the pranks, and attempt to have a successful signing debut.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Douglas J. McLeod
• Release date: Sep 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386508052

Book preview

To Catherine –

Forever the Maggie to my Phil

CHAPTER ONE

It was a clear Thursday in September. My flight from Toronto had landed in the American Midwest city of Wichita, Kansas. I was visiting the largest city in The Sunflower State to take part in a multi-genre author signing I had learned about through social media. Although I was excited to be partaking in the event, the ghost of one of my former girlfriends, as well as the specter of my best friend’s fiancée, was giving me grief for traveling a great distance to attend.

I can't see why you couldn't have found a signing closer to home, Amber criticized.

I agree, Karen added. I don’t mind flying over a thousand miles for work purposes, but for something akin to a hobby for you is rather unnecessary.

I've already explained this to both of you, I stated. Most of the signing events I’ve seen in Canada are in the romance genre. If I wanted to appear at a signing that caters to a diverse range of authors, I would’ve had to travel to participate in one.

Amber continued to protest. But still, why did it have to be in the middle of the United States? Couldn't it have been closer to the border?

I replied, I could have gone to one in Seattle, but again, it’s the same problem as the ones back home: more for romance readers than one for other genres.

Karen commented, There ought to be more signings that cater to the kind of books you write, then. I mean, there are other genres than ‘borderline smut.’

It’s a good thing you’re a ghost, Karen. If my fellow authors at this signing heard you say that, I’d be blacklisted from any future signings.

My best friend’s fiancée rolled her eyes. And the last thing we would want to do is to ruin the writing career of the great Phil Bennett, she snarked. A mystery writer who has self-published... what? Two novels?

Realizing I was getting funny looks from other travelers in the baggage claim area for having a conversation to no one else physically present, I attempted to whisper my response. Can we have this discussion somewhere more private? I'm already getting people staring at me. If I keep this up, I might get tazed by a TSA agent.

It's a shame Maggie couldn't come with you, Amber bemoaned, while changing the subject.

I continued to whisper, First of all, she doesn't like flying, so she would've been a nervous wreck on the plane. Second, the Fall semester just started at the university in Peterborough, and she's busy with processing student forms for those who plan on graduating in December. She couldn't get the time off from work to accompany me even if she wanted to.

I just think it would've been more fun if she tagged along, Amber persisted.

Karen concurred. She’s right. By coming here alone, you won't know anyone here. You'll probably just keep to yourself, and not socialize whatsoever, which – and, correct me if I’m wrong here – is supposed to be the purpose of these events, right?

I'm not here alone, I complained. I have two ghostly spirits who I'm sure will be offering their two cents every chance they get. I swear, you two have been hanging around each other too much.

The specters began to protest in unison. Now, see here, Phil Bennett...

I attempted to ignore the chastising Amber and Karen were giving me by gathering my luggage from the conveyor belt. I made my way outside to catch the airport shuttle bus to the hotel while the two spirits continued to give me an earful about how this was a crazy idea to make a sojourn halfway across the continent to attend the event. However, I did my best to pay no mind to the two of them. I was a stranger to this region of the United States, and I was concerned someone might have reported me to the authorities. Normally, I would not have minded, but considering the American political climate at the time, I didn't want to take any chances.

~  *  *  *  ~

I arrived at the hotel forty-five minutes later, and checked in at the front desk. I remembered the organizers had put a limit on room occupancy to two people per room unless they had children; however, since I was traveling alone – at least, as 'alone' as someone who was visited by two nagging ghosts could have been – I didn't have to be concerned about the room restrictions.

I asked the concierge, Did my books arrive alright?

The girl behind the desk reported, Yes, Mr. Bennett. They've been put in your room already.

Thank you kindly, I replied, as I accepted my room keycard.

I picked up the luggage I had temporarily set down while checking-in and proceeded to the elevator to head up to my room. As the doors closed on the lift, I was joined once again by my two familiar ghostly figures.

That seems odd, Amber queried. Your books are already in your room?

Not odd at all, really, I explained. Most of the attendees are coming in from out of town, so it makes sense they would ship their inventory direct to the hotel. Sure, it's a little added charge to the room bill, but it causes less of a hassle in the long run.

I guess it's cheaper than packing them in a checked bag, Karen mused.

Plus, I added, it's less of a headache in the event the airline loses the bag. There would be nothing worse than showing up to a signing and realize you didn't have any wares to sell.

Karen nodded. That would totally suck for not only the author, but the readers who show up to the event, as well.

The problem is trying to adequately gauge the demand for one's books, I noted. "A popular author would need a huge supply of books. If you're one who is 'new to the audience', then you