Novel | Harry Hogg | Drama | Romance | Publishing
The Ghost Writer — Part 7
A completed novel in readable parts.
If you’re late to the series and wish to start at the beginning, there are links to the first chapters at the end of this chapter.
Catchup:
In this mesmerizing tale of intrigue, romance, and the power of words, The Ghost Writer weaves together the enigmatic life of an unknown author, the relentless pursuit of an editor, and the unexpected bond formed between two souls brought together by fate. Will they uncover the truth behind the mysterious author’s disappearance? And what secrets lie within the pages of The Ghost Writer? Only time will tell as the journey unfolds, revealing a story that promises to captivate readers and leave them yearning for more.
Chapter 7: Shadows of Intrigue
Rain is falling on the briskly cold New York streets around the Random House offices. Lawrence Bernstein is on the phone with the chair of Bertelsmann’s Board of Directors, the major shareholders in Random House.
“Yes, sir. I understand. But, with respect, I couldn’t disagree more,” Bernstein says, answering the question as to whether it’s a good idea to go against the new CFO’s advice to cut back on finances.
Bernstein is no fool. He knows Caruthers has gone over his head to speak to the Chairman of the controlling board.
When the phone call ends, Bernstein replaces the receiver, blows out his cheeks, and reaches for his smoldering cigar. He will take care of Carruthers in his own time.
Joseph and Sylvia settle into their seats on the London-bound airplane while passengers, boarding through a second door behind them, trundle and bundle their carry-on luggage up the aisle.
The flight attendant welcomes Joseph and Sylvia with a glass of champagne. Sylvia tries not to show her delight, being her first experience of flying first class.
Sipping at their champagne, Sylvia, ever inquisitive, turns to Joseph. “Joseph,” she asks, that glimmer of curiosity in her eyes, “you mentioned the reason for this sudden trip being about finding an author.” Sylvia doesn’t expand, and anyway, it isn’t a question, but she hopes he might explain.
Joseph leans back in his seat. “Yes,” he says, putting down the champagne glass, “two weeks ago we received three chapters of a manuscript, they happened to be three chapters that ignited a rare excitement, not just with me, but with all four heads of sub-departments, each with the same thought. If the book continues in the same way the first three chapters do, it has a very real potential to become one of those publishing gems that captivate readers worldwide, let’s say, in the same way Harry Potter did.”
Sylvia’s interest piques. “What’s the book about?”
Joseph takes another sip of champagne and rests the glass down. “It centers around a young man, who, when a schoolboy, came close to drowning having been pushed into a river by a classmate. He was pushed into the river by a girl who believed the boy had copied her work before entering it into a story competition held by the school. The boy’s story won that competition,” he tells her.
“But it’s fiction, right. Our submissions department only accepts works of fiction,” Sylvia says.
“Yes, of course. The boy is saved by an old man. The author describes this man as having spectacles perched on his nose, a weathered leather-bound look.
He tells the boy he must pursue his love of writing, and that he will one day converse with the characters in his books, extracting their wisdom and helping them navigate their stories. Well, the old man’s words profoundly impact the boy, so that his storytelling will have a transformative effect on those who read.”
There’s a pause in Joseph’s explanation as the flight attendants begin issuing the safety instructions. Soon after, the airplane is pushed back from the gate as the flight attendants make a last trip through first class to collect glasses before take-off.
Joseph, savoring the closeness and anticipation in Sylvia’s eyes, continues.
“Though we only have three chapters, we know the story is set in a dark, almost satanic setting of rolling hills, mist-covered mountains, and ancient castles in the heart of Scotland. Having somehow survived his drowning ordeal, the young protagonist feels reborn, brimming with curiosity and a thirst for adventure. By the end of the third chapter, we’re beginning to read about his extraordinary journey, filled with escapades and endearing misadventures. It’s a story that transports readers to the heart of Scotland, immersing them in its rich history, captivating folklore, and the sense of wonder that lies beyond the ordinary.”
The airplane roars into the sky, hitting low winds that cause turbulence. Sylvia instinctively grabs the armrest, which is then covered by Joseph’s hand. “It’s okay, Sylvia,” he tells her. Sylvia smiles, feeling the warmth of his hand on hers.
As the plane soars through the sky, Joseph and Sylvia continue their conversation, their excitement and determination intertwining. Joseph knows the path ahead will be challenging. Still, the promise of discovering and nurturing a literary talent that could rival any of the world’s bestselling authors has their conversation flowing like a river.
“Anyway, Sylvia, Bernstein is concerned that a competitor might somehow get their hands on the manuscript and instructed me to be the one to sign him up. But this proved impossible, either by phone or text, even using the email address he supplied. The address on the submission is in Mendocino, on the west coast. Bernstein instructed me to go there, find him, offer him a contract, and sign him to Random House. I spent six days chasing my ass. If he really is a guy, the guy is nowhere to be found. Anyway, returning to tell Bernstein I had failed to locate this man was at best challenging.
As we further delved into the story, having realized this is no ordinary manuscript. One can immediately tell the author’s love of Scotland. The vivid descriptions paint a picture so lifelike that it feels like the author had breathed life into the pages. The characters leap off the paper, Sylvia, in a quirky way, each with unique traits and secrets.
I explained to Bernstein my hunch that if we followed the author in his story, I should make this trip to Scotland. Bernstein agreed. But, you know, here’s another thing, from the way Bernstein is obsessed with finding this author and having him contracted to the house, I don’t know, there’s something more, something Bernstein knows that we do not.
Anyway, I’m sure of one thing, the author knows the value of his work and is playing with us, teasing us to find him and so he remains elusive, unavailable for meetings or calls, almost as if he’s deliberately hiding.
That’s why we are on this flight, Sylvia because there’s no doubt in my mind that any clue to the unknown author’s life will unfold where the story began. That’s the reason. All we have to do now is find him,” Joseph says.
Sylvia, having listened intently above the roar of engines asks, “Do you think the author wants to find a delicate balance between money and fame. That maybe he needs the money but not the fame that will go with it?”
Joseph looks over at Sylvia. He hadn’t thought of that.
“That’s why you’re here, Sylvia. Two heads, as they say.”
Previous Parts:
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