AN: Not necessary to read beforehand, but do note that this one can be considered as part of my other story "Little Do You Know." And in a way, serves as a sneak peek as well for said story's next chapter.
Maybe it's not that far out of the realm of possibility for Jane to be part of Maura's book, right?
"Tell us, Dr. Isles, what inspired you to write such a moving piece?"
The man at the head of the table has an earnest and excited smile, and if circumstances were different, Maura knows she would be in the midst of a lengthy "spew of words" as Jane sometimes referred to her more…passionate responses.
She looks around at the other people in the other room. Aside from head of editorial, a representative of the legal head was also present. The man who presented the troubling question was a significant name in the board of publishers. According to him, her work had caught his eye and, in turn, his attention. If she understood correctly, Mr. Bench is the primary force behind Gates Publishing's persistent courtship of her signature.
A man in his fifties, Mr. Bench—or Paul, as he insisted the doctor refer to him—may very well be what the company precisely stood for. Clean cut, tailored but non-extravagant suit, jovial demeanor and a warm but firm grip, Maura observed when they shook hands.
Honest, loyal, and simple. Maura's research into the company and its people told her that Gates Publishing cared more about the final product and their creators than actual profits. The founder—Paul's predecessor and father—was a self-made man and a self-admitted frustrated author. Interviews of the late CEO had the senior Bench often making fun of himself, that as much as he loved writing, it was an unrequited love. What he couldn't do for himself, he offered to do for other authors and would-be writers. He swore to stand by what was great writing and potential literary masterpieces rather than be consumed by potential profits.
It appeared that Gates Publishing, at first glance, was a small and unassuming publishing house. But their list of published works spoke for itself. Few as they may seem for a company in their industry, their yield of literature spent a great amount of time in bestseller's lists and consequently turned a handsome profit for the company that allowed them to continue and do what they do best: work for the love of the craft.
Hence, as Paul explained in person, he was invested in the story she had given them a glimpse of and it was much evident he wanted more. And he wanted to share the gem he'd found with the rest of the world.
The head of editorial, a striking brunette clad in a simple but flattering pair of grey slacks and white blouse tilts her head to the side and softly cuts in, "My apologies if the question is of a personal nature, Doctor."
This seems to jolt Mr. Bench to sudden awareness and his smile dims, but persists, "My apologies if I've overstepped, Dr. Isles."
This in turn snaps the doctor to the present. She shakes her head slightly and with a small smile finally responds in a near-shy manner. Maura tries to keep in mind what Jane told her before: "give them a chance."
"In a way, yes, it is personal. I…I was inspired by someone." Her lengthy pause causes the other woman in the room to ask "Is the protagonist molded after her?"
Maura grins at the question, "Not quite. In a way there's a bit of her written in…and a bit of me."
The other man who has remained quiet for most of the meeting finally pipes in, "Pardon me for clarifying, Dr. Isles, but your character…I guess…I wonder how or where you figure into your protagonist?" He is sheepish and flushed for asking. Mr. Bench's face pinches in a frown as the implication of his colleague's question is most apparent.
But the pathologist doesn't take offense. She knows what he means, and she understands.
She shrugs in a casual and offhand manner she's inherited some time ago from Jane.
"What you've garnered from what I've delivered is—I should say—a raw version of how I've always seen her. She has her faults, her vices, her sins—she's far from pure. But where I come in, is when she's at her vulnerable. I'm there when she's at peace, when she can be still, when she sleeps soundly. My protagonist is not just molder after my…inspiration."
Maura meets their gaze head on as she continues, "She's molded after us when we're together."
Maura's smile widens a fraction, but her eyes are caught in a memory and not in the present as she finishes, "I suppose you can say that…it's our story."
AN2: Thank you for reading.
