Vanishing Author

By Sheri McLaughlin

London author, Lidia Louvinar establishes a pen name, Isabelle Huffner. The well read author embarks on a book signing tour in America. But when she is kidnapped in Miami Beach, the FBI is contacted. A stalker is taken into custody after an inappropriate package arrives. When the missing person's case loses momentum, Chuck want answers and hires his own private investigator. A peculiar ransom note arrives and Chuck fears for his wife's life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sheri McLaughlin
• Release date: Jul 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005686956

Sheri McLaughlin

When the pandemic caused the world to retreat into isolation, McLaughlin discovered a new passion - writing fiction stories. She enjoys creating new adventures adding action, drama, and mystery.Other fiction titles include: “Lovers Fall in Arcticville”, "Frozen Isolation", “A New Adventure on the Escuadrón Polar”, “Whispering Angels”, “Vanishing Author”, “Angry Hornets”, “Terror Unleashed: Angry Hornets Return”, “Presidential Mercy”, and “Mercy on the Trail”. She is currently working on her tenth novel, “Quantum Mercy” which will complete her Mercy Trilogy.

Book preview

Chapter 1 - Regal Bookstore

London, England had been experiencing an unusual heatwave. Locals weren’t prepared for record highs of 38 degrees Celsius this week. School children were playing soccer at a nearby park. Sweat was beading up on their little faces.

Lidia, come here, please! I need to put some more lotion on you! Her mom was seated in a shaded area, but young Lidia’s porcelain skin had been exposed to the sun’s harmful rays.

Lidia’s blonde pigtails brushed across her shoulders as her head jerked around to look at her mother. She quickly protested, But, Mum, we’re in the middle of a soccer game! Liddy had been focused on passing the ball to Chuck. The strength in her legs helped her team to score several goals that day.

It’ll only take a moment, love!

Ohh-kay! She didn’t want to walk away, but had been taught to respect her mother. Wait for me! I’ll be right back.

The intense heat was making everyone ornery. That’s when Lidia’s teammate, Chuck, got bored and decided to take the ball and spike it with all of his might to see how high he could bounce it. He never expected the ball to ricochet off the ground and smack Lidia in the nose.

Ahhhh! Lidia began screaming in pain, holding her nose. Blood began to ooze out.

To Lidia’s embarrassment, her over-doting mother jumped up and ran over to her. She’d pulled some tissues out of her handbag and used them to pinch her nose shut. Tears were streaming down Lidia’s rosy cheeks.

Oh, I’m sorry, Liddy! I didn’t do that on purpose. Chuck felt bad seeing his friend hurt. He had been a well-mannered child, always considerate and polite toward others.

I think it’s bwoh-ken. Lidia’s voice sounded muffled in the tissue.

It will be just fine, Lidia. Relax. Her mother had managed to stop the bleeding.

After her mother cleaned her up, Lidia wasn’t in the mood to play soccer, at least not today. Between the heat wave and the nose injury, Lidia just wanted to go home.

Chuck felt bad. He scooped up some dandelions and brought them over. I hope you feel better, Liddy.

She accepted the bright yellow bouquet. Thanks, Chuck.

On the walk home, Lidia’s mom suggested they stop for an ice cream cone next to a lovely little bookstore. As they were sitting under a shaded canopy, devouring the luscious treat, Lidia became distracted. Her attention turned toward a group of children’s books that were prominently displayed in the Regal Bookstore’s window.

Her mom couldn’t help but notice her newfound interest. Lidia, would you like to go inside the bookstore after we finish our ice cream?

Oh, yes! May I, please! Lidia’s face beamed with joy.

Of course. You may choose three, if you like.

Lidia was initially drawn to the books in the window, but she spent over half an hour carefully browsing a grand assortment of children’s books. She took the task of making her selection seriously. Once she settled on her top three, she hugged them tight against her chest and smiled. I’m all ready. Thank you, Mum!

Chapter 2 - Close Friendship

Chuck and Lidia were neighbors, growing up in Chelsea together. Although Chuck was five years older than Lidia, they remained close friends. He would always offer to carry her books. Oftentimes, Chuck would walk with her to school which almost made him late for his own classes. They had so much in common and loved to chat.

Lidia excelled in language arts. She loved to write notes and pass them along to her close friends between classes. She created so many humorous stories. One year, she entered a poem into a contest during the literary fair. Snowflakes on My Lashes won first place. It was even published in the school’s newspaper.

Math wasn’t Lidia’s favorite subject. But she wasn’t alone. Lidia and her friends despised the algebra teacher.

Ms. McCabe was a crotchety old woman with long white hair that was tied back in a tight bun behind her head which accentuated her strong, masculine features. In addition to her scary appearance, Ms. McCabe’s method of teaching involved the cruel embarrassment of young students who answered incorrectly. Many of her former students never forgot her or the math that was taught; they said it was the fear that made it stick.

One year, Ms. McCabe dragged a nasty old eraser through a pile of chalk dust. Then she held it up to show to the class. She threatened to dump the dust onto the heads of whoever got the math answers wrong.

Lidia always tried to hide behind the girl in front of her. She hated to be called up to the board to do math problems in front of the class. Besides, Algebra was her least favorite subject. Her big blue eyes were examining both math problems on the board. She quietly hoped and prayed her name would not be called. Lidia feared and loathed Ms. McCabe’s horrible childish antics.

Well, hiding from Ms. McCabe was impossible. She’d always kept a class seating chart with her. To make things worse, she came up with nicknames for everyone. Lidia’s nickname was Blondie, which she hated.

Snapping her gum loudly, Ms. McCabe walked up and down the rows of desks. Pausing to see the fear intensify on her students’ faces.

Please don’t call on me. Pleeeease… Lidia’s heartbeat was erratic. Her blouse’s armpits were soaked in dreaded fear.

Pork chop! You’re up! Ms. McCabe chose her first victim. It was the pudgy boy who lived in the same neighborhood as Lidia.

And…, Blondie! Ms. McCabe seemed to get some kind of a high from terrorizing her students.

Lidia slowly walked toward the chalkboard. I hope someone pulls the fire alarm.

Lidia joined Barron at the board. She picked up a piece of chalk and began solving her problem, the best she knew how. Missing a crucial step, Lidia paused before putting the chalk down. Barron, who was standing next to her, had already solved his algebra problem correctly. He decided to try and help Lidia.

Barron whispered cautiously, Subtract the 2 underneath the 6 and the 8.

Lidia was flustered at this point. What does he mean? Didn’t I solve it already?

The allotted time to solve both problems had passed and Ms. McCabe reviewed each problem out loud.

When Ms. McCabe reviewed Lidia’s, she shook her head in disapproval. Blondie, this is all wrong. No, not even Pork Chop could help you. She was aware that Barron tried to help. That was a big mistake.

After turning the chalky side of the eraser onto the top of Lidia’s head, she snarked, It looks like you’ll have to wear the ‘Eraser of Shame’ back to your seat, Blondie. Wait, …better yet, stand next to Pork Chop and you both can walk down the aisle together. The class erupted in laughter. If things couldn’t get any worse, Ms. McCabe even hummed the Wedding March out loud.

Barron never let Ms. McCabe bother him. He ignored the situation and accompanied Lidia back to her seat. He was also a good friend of Chuck’s.

Lidia hated to be in the spotlight, especially in a negative way. Her face turned a bright shade of crimson. She felt humiliated in front of the whole class.

When Chuck heard about what happened to Lidia, he decided to help her. He was very good at Algebra. They studied and practiced problems together until she was able to do them correctly on her own.

When Lidia felt brave enough to tell her mother about the incidents that Ms. McCabe put the class through, her mother paid a visit to the head master of the school.

Well, eventually, Ms. McCabe was fired from her teaching career. It occurred one year short of her official retirement date and she lost her benefits package. The students were quite pleased, although Lidia decided it was best to not mention about her mother’s part in it all.

*****

When Lidia turned 18, she invited Chuck to the formal dance (prom). He did not know how to respond. Lidia and Chuck had always shared a wonderful friendship. He did not want to mess that up. They managed to keep their relationship completely platonic all of this time. Fearing he was too old for her, Chuck asked, Liddy, wouldn’t you rather ask someone closer to your age?

No, Chuck, they’re all sooo immature. Besides, we have always been best friends. I would really love it if you could go with me. Lidia could be very persuasive.

Of course, Chuck would never want to disappoint Lidia. Okay, Liddy. When is this event? I’ll need to mark my calendar?

Three weeks before the summer dance, Lidia and her mother went dress shopping. She found a beautiful lavender gown that was on the clearance rack. The gown fit her figure perfectly. Lidia came out of the dressing room. What do you think?

Mrs. Celt exclaimed, Wait until Chuck sees you in that! Oh, Lidia, you look stunning!

Thanks. I love it too. Lidia was looking forward to the dance.

*****

On the evening of her prom, Chuck arrived twenty minutes early. Promptness was one of Chuck’s respectable qualities. He looked very dapper, wearing a traditional tuxedo. When he rang the doorbell, Lidia’s father answered the door.

Lidia’s father, Frederick Celt, usually worked the night shift at the shipyard. Mr. Celt was usually on the quiet side. But tonight, he seemed to be in a chatty mood. He’d been given the evening off, after working a double shift. He asked Chuck the typical fatherly questions about the evening’s plans. Then he politely reminded him about his daughter’s curfew.

Chuck put Mr. Celt’s mind at ease. No worries, sir. I will be sure to bring Liddy home by midnight. You have my word. Chuck couldn’t figure out why he suddenly felt so nervous. Chuck heard Lidia’s voice in the back room.

When Lidia’s mother finished doing her hair, she slowly walked out into the living room area to greet Chuck. She kept staring at the ground, afraid of tripping over her gown. Lidia wasn’t used to wearing formal attire.

Chuck’s mouth dropped open when he saw Lidia in the beautiful lavender ensemble. Liddy, you look incredible! It was at that very moment when Chuck felt his heart speed up. He had never felt this way before.

Lidia shyly smiled, Thanks, Chuck! She was glowing with happiness.

*****

Chuck and Lidia were married the year after she graduated secondary school. Lidia worked full time at the local library. After Chuck graduated college, he worked in the advertising department at a luxury cruise company.

The newlyweds initially moved in with Chuck’s mom. Paying rent and living in the spare bedroom for four years until they were able to save up enough money to move into their first flat.

In her free time, Lidia loved to read and write. She wrote poems, short stories, and articles for the local newspaper.

When Chuck realized that his wife had a unique gift. He offered encouragement, Liddy, you have quite an imagination and a way with words. Have you ever thought about writing a book?

Chapter 3 - Isabelle Huffner

Writing went way beyond a fleeting passion for Lidia. She became a serious author when a series of murder-mystery books caught the eye of Schellic & Schellic, a well-known publishing company in London, England. Shortly thereafter, she met Arthur