No longer willing to share the publishing limelight with his rival, a crime-writer decides to use his knowledge of police methods and forensics to end the rivalry forever. But events do not quite go to plan.

Top Gun

There is no original way to commit a murder; not that Manfred sought to be original… his plan involved professionalism, artistry and flair. It would be skilful; it would be ingenious; it would be an accident. His plan was so meticulous that no detective would be able to unravel the plot.

Gino was a problem. For almost seven years they had been rivals, turning out formulaic crime fiction, which each of them believed was literature. They strove to excel and to be great writers, though all that concerned the publisher was that the books sold in large numbers. Lord Hawtrey knew his market and was expert at targeting his customers. Since inheriting his father's title and business he set increasing standards of market success and diminishing standards of quality. He selected authors who could generate rapid-fire, easy-to-read publications that would walk off the bookstalls - and he encouraged rivalry among his writers, knowing that competition provokes productivity. Manfred and Gino were parts in a machine that produced predictable paperbacks for bored commuters.

For the past year, Gino had been winning the numbers game and his books were moving faster through the booksellers' inventories. Manfred convinced himself that his rival was getting a bigger share of the publicity budget and he suspected that Gino was being fed the better plot lines. He didn't deserve the attention; of that Manfred was sure, knowing his own superiority. He, Manfred, was the greater author; he was better at handling a plot and had a more thorough knowledge of about police methods and forensics. Dammit, he didn't just know the theory; he could pull it off in reality. Gino would be removed from the game so that Manfred's artistry could shine unchallenged. Gino's exit would be dramatic; it would be undetectable; it would happen next Saturday.

Gino's vanity was exceeded only by his romanticism and the envelope on his breakfast table appealed to both. The letter conveyed a sophisticated air of romance that was matched by the crisp, rose writing paper. It was an invitation; not a formal summons to a collective occasion, but a solicitation to private conference… with a Lady. Gino knew the venue from both public and private visits. The estate was locally famous for horsey events; it was also Lord Hawtrey's country residence. As a key personality among Lord Hawtrey's authors he was obliged to show his face at publicity occasions. He knew the house and the formal garden that surrounded it, but the back gate mentioned in these instructions was an unfamiliar point of entry. Never mind; the directions seemed clear - and Lady Hawtrey must know the way around her own grounds. He memorised the route and disposed of the letter, as directed. He had not seen through Manfred's plans.