Madeline Mann (30 page)
I didn't actually “catch” the person in question—actually, she shot me—but I wasn't going to quibble about that now. I raised my eyebrows at Sister Moira, wondering where this was leading.
“And I was thinking,” she continued, “that maybe you were the person I should contact about something that's been bothering me … and then here you were, right in front of me. The Lord makes His ways known, Madeline.”
“Yes,” I agreed diplomatically. Angie was back, and beckoning me to the chair.
Sister Moira noticed this. “I won't keep you now, Madeline, but I'd like you to meet with me if you would. Let's see, tomorrow's Sunday, that's no good. Monday?”
“Do you mean you want me to investigate something?” I joked.
“Yes, dear.” She looked almost cheerful as she tied a rain scarf over her neat hair and pulled a trench coat from the nearby rack. She lowered her voice and said, “Your experience makes me think—remember Sister Joanna?” she asked.
I stared, uncomprehending. “But Sister Joanna was— “
“Not here, dear. Let's meet Monday, and I'll tell you about it.” She squeezed my arm. “I already feel a weight has been lifted.” With a quick wave and a promise to call me, she stepped out into the unfriendly January afternoon.
Shocked by her revelation, I returned to my squeaking chair, ready to submit to Angie's ministrations and begin my transformation into a Blonde Minx.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to my cover designer, Kelly Parra, for her brilliance, and to model Valerie Smetana, for making Madeline so lovely and so near to what I'd pictured in my mind when I wrote this first book.
I'm grateful to Carol Cail for encouraging the very first Madeline drafts, more than ten years ago.
To my family and friends, for supporting my writing efforts—thanks.
Thanks to the librarians who have been kind enough to feature and recommend my work, most notably Molly Klowden and Sue Tindall; thanks to all of my colleagues, especially my supportive English department: Rose Crnkovich, Linda Harrington, Elise Matson, Terese Black, Valerie Smetana, and John Allen.
I owe a debt of gratitude to my writers’ group, the current members of which are Martha Whitehead, Cynthia Quam, Kathi Baron, and Elizabeth Diskin. Thanks to Robert Fate for all of his help and guidance regarding publicity.
For their willingness to read the manuscript, I am grateful to Mr. Fate and to Julia Spencer-Fleming, Kaye Barley, Bill Cameron, Barbara D’Amato, Anne Frasier, Jess Lourey, Cornelia Read, and Caroline Upcher.
Thanks to my co-Deadly Daughters: Lonnie Cruse, Sandra Parshall, Sharon Wildwind, Sheila Connolly and Liz Zelvin.
Thanks to Ian and Graham for letting me eavesdrop on their dialogue so that I could realistically write Noah and Cal. I am ever grateful to my husband, Jeff, for letting me set my own writing schedule and for going to Saugatuck with me often, starting way back on our honeymoon.
And thanks, as ever, to my mom and dad, William and Katherine Rohaly, who gave a lot to support my creativity.
About the Author
Julia Buckley
is a Chicago area writer and teacher. She debuted with
The Dark Backward
in 2006; her
Madeline Mann
mysteries are now available online.
Julia lives in the suburbs with her husband, two sons, three cats and a beagle. She is a member of MWA, RWA, and Sisters in Crime, and she blogs at Mysterious Musings, Poe's Deadly Daughters, and Blog Critics.
She does have two brothers, but they are not as annoying as Madeline's.
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