The Manolo Matrix (34 page)

“I think I’ll stick with the theater,” I said, rubbing my thigh. “Reality’s too damn painful.”

Devlin squeezed my hand. “Probably a good plan. But I meant what I said. You did great. Better than great, actually. Especially at the end. You and Brian were both brilliant.”

“Not exactly what I had in mind for my Broadway debut.”

“Then you’ll have to work on making your second debut even more spectacular.”

“Yeah,” I said, fiddling with the sheet.

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He stroked my face. “You can do it. And I’ll be there in the front row, cheering you on come opening night.”

“You will?”

“Absolutely.”

I pressed my lips together, wanting to ask the next question, but certain it was way too forward.

Was he being polite and encouraging? Or romantic and encouraging. Did he like me? Or did helike me?

“By the way, I have a little present for you.”

“Yeah?” I tried to push myself up on one elbow, but fell back against the pillows. I was just too tired.

“What?”

He reached down and grabbed a large box, topped with a big red bow. He slid it onto the bed next to me, a self-satisfied grin spreading across his face.

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I hesitated only a second, then tugged the lid off, squealing with delight when I saw what was nestled among the crumpled-up tissue paper: three pairs of Manolo Blahnik shoes. The three pairs, as a matter of fact, that he’d bought on the spur of the moment during our race down Fifth Avenue.

“Wow,” I whispered. “This is so…wow.”

“You can exchange them if you want a different style or something. We didn’t exactly have time to examine all the stock.”

“No, no,” I said. “These are great.” Though, actually, he had a point. I mean, my little aquamarine kitten heels weren’t in the box…

I frowned then, and almost told him to take the shoes back. That it was too much for me to accept. But then I remembered the obscene amount of money he’d won in the game, and what we’d been through together and…well, everything.

It wasn’t like charity. Instead, the Manolos were a token of Devlin’s affection. And that was something I

wanted as close to my heart as possible. And since I love shoes with a passion, I figured these Manolos were about as close to my heart as they could get.

I looked up at him, then, hoping I wasn’t reading too much into the gift.

A tiny grin played around his mouth, and the corners of his eyes crinkled with amusement, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. He leaned in closer, then captured my mouth with his, and kissed me. Not a chaste kiss. Not a get-well kiss. But a kiss with promise.

And Agent Devlin Brady, I already knew, was a man who kept his promises.

I sighed, overcome by the sheer perfection of it all. My Manolos, my man. My life.

And a whole bunch of dreams that, someday, were going to come true.

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Up Close and Personal with the Author

I’m always a little nervous during an interview, but this time, when I sat down to talk with myself about

The Manolo Matrix, I wasn’t nearly as apprehensive. I mean, I’d already interviewed myself forThe

Givenchy Code, and I knew that—despite taking all those journalism classes in high school—I’m really kind of a wimp in the investigative reporting arena. So this new interview would be a piece of cake.

ME: Okay. I’m ready for my interview, Mr. DeMille.

ME: Cocky much? I mean, I tried to do you a favor last time, tossing you some softball questions, and now you’re throwing that back in my face?

ME: (holding up hands, figuring softball questions maybe aren’t so bad) Hey, hey! I’m not complaining.

Coffee?

ME: Thanks. Okay, let’s get started.The Manolo Matrix is the follow-up toThe Givenchy Code, right?

ME: Um, you wrote it. Don’t you know the answer to that?

ME: (piercing glare)

ME: (clears throat) Yes.Manolo is the second book in a trilogy.

ME: Did that make it easier or harder to write?

ME: A little of both, actually. The parameters of the game had been worked out inGivenchy, so that part was easier. But the nature of the clues inManolo were actually harder, believe it or not.

ME: What do you mean?

ME: The clues relate to the target. InGivenchy, Mel’s an expert in codes, so in the context of working out the plot, when there was someplace for the characters to go, I could work
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backward and create a clue (it wasn’t that simple, believe me, but that pretty much sums it up!).

ForManolo, though, the clues all relate to Broadway shows. So if the characters need to go someplace, I had to come up with a clue that had some Broadway connotation to get them there.

It made the parameters tighter, and that made the execution more difficult.

ME: Wow. That sounds really analytical when you put it that way.

ME: It does, doesn’t it? Yeah, well, that’s me. Miss Analytical Writer. (Not.) ME: Why Broadway?

ME: Honestly? I love musical theater, and this was an opportunity to work musicals into a book in a fun and different way. Plus, the series is set in New York. How could I do a Manhattan series that never touched on the theater district?

ME: What research did you do?

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ME: Lots of reading, and I was also fortunate enough to get a backstage tour of the Broadhurst and the

Shubert. I got to walk on theSpamalot stage! And the really cool thing was that I’d just seen the show the night before. Very fun! (Unfortunately, because of the nature of clue juggling and my imagination, I

wasn’t able to work those actual theaters into the story. I used the Belasco instead, which is another cool theater.)

ME: Brian mentions that a cast member had created a website about the Belasco. Is that true?

ME: The cast member part isn’t, since the show is a figment of my imagination. But I did find a wonderful website about the Belasco theater created by an actor. Visit my website at www.juliekenner.com and you can link to it!

ME: Speaking of Brian, isn’t he a cliché? A gay male friend for the heroine?

ME: Hello?? It’s musical theater. ’Nuff said.

ME: So what’s up next?

ME:The Prada Paradox, coming in 2007! It’s the final book of the trilogy and (cue crescendoing music)

the ultimate question—who’s behind the game—will be answered! I have some great twists and turns planned forPrada ; I think readers will have a blast!

ME: Great! I think that about sums it up. Thanks for doing this interview!

ME: That’s it? You’re really gonna have to work on that hard-hitting thing.

ME: Next time, girlfriend. Next time…

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