About Felix

By Bryn Callaway

When renowned author Felix Boudreaux was found dead alone in his house years ago, although it was officially declared an accident, there were rumours of a suicide. After all, he had been an alcoholic and close to his death, a recluse.

Weeks before his death, Felix had left with his friend Penny Blanchard, an unfinished manuscript, a tell-all about his romantic liaisons and affairs, with instructions to finish it, edit it, and get it published.

Penny, an author herself, enlists the help of fellow writer Rosie Martin for the controversial book project.

Early on, the two women realize that Felix's death might not have been accidental or self-inflicted. They start digging deeper into the lives of the women in Felix's book, looking for a motive. Several of those women, public figures, had a lot to lose if their affair with Felix Boudreaux was exposed for all to read.

But who had the most to lose?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryn Callaway
• Release date: Apr 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224366392

Bryn Callaway

Like Penny, Bryn Callaway has always written and kept all her journals and notebooks. There’s a lot of music in Bryn’s daily life and plenty of coffee! A hopeless romantic, Bryn knows that happy endings are not without challenges but they can and do happen! Bryn Callaway lives in the Greater Toronto Area very near the shores of Lake Ontario.

Book preview

Acknowledgments:

I am blissed with tremendous support, inspiration and feedback from the following people:

Sabine, Enögd, Ian, Esben, Max, Zoe, and Laurie.

And I couldn’t do this without the excellent music provided by Dist Fm (Sweden)

Cover photo: Thoa Ngo (Unsplash)

Cover design: Esben Meyer Kristensen

INTRO

AUGUST 2019

(Penny)

The book about Felix will be released in a few weeks.

When Rosie suggested the two voices approach for the book, I must admit I had my doubts.

The plan was to write about our own lives while editing Felix’s manuscript.

I had expected us to edit Felix’s work, nothing more, but the situation took an unexpected and, recently, dramatic turn.

There are many stories in this book about to be released, but the main one is about Felix Boudreaux, a writer who sought the perfect woman all his life but who was also looking to provoke and shock people.

In the end, it might have killed him.

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FALL 2019

(Rosie)

It’s been a few weeks since the book about Felix Boudreaux has been published, and I was still worried about the unanticipated consequences it might have.

Penny had known about my gut feeling, but had still agreed for the release to happen, because it was important, and we had put so much time into this project.

Penny mentioned Felix had wanted the book to be released in September last year, but back then we weren’t done.

This morning Carl Jensen had sent me a text.

Carl Jensen, private investigator but also Penny’s friend, and I seem to cross paths in extraordinary and dramatic circumstances.

There’s something you should see. Followed by a link.

It’s a small article about the sudden death of a public figure.

The synchronicity is stunning.

Has Carl told Penny yet?

Did Penny know?

Did Felix’s ghost know?

Has justice been done for Felix?

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CHAPTER 1

OCTOBER 2018

(Penny)

My name is Penny Blanchard, and this is my third book. Actually, it’s not exactly all mine. It’s partly Felix Boudreaux’s. A successful author, friend, now deceased, and now one of my resident ghosts.

Felix left an unfinished manuscript with me, a posthumous shocker.

Months after finding tucked away in a box, a CD my on and off friend Felix had left in my home, with an unfinished manuscript on it, I also found a letter Felix had left in one of his books, a signed edition. Something else he must have left in my home, maybe on his last visit.

Felix’s instructions were clear. Finish the book and release it.

I’ve enlisted the help of fellow indie author Rosie Martin to help me with the rewrites and edits.

I had told several people I hadn’t seen Felix in years before he died.

It wasn’t exactly true.

I hadn’t wanted to answer questions if I thought he had been depressed.

I don’t remember.

Before he died unexpectedly several years ago, Felix had been a successful author, but also one of my friends, an eclectic one.

To be honest, I don’t quite know how Felix died. The newspaper talked about a fatal allergic reaction, but there were rumors of a suicide.

Now, Felix’s ghost has joined Florence to haunt some of my dreams, and he has been more and more insistent about me getting his last manuscript finished and published.

The book is an autobiography, disguised as fiction, mostly about Felix’s affairs.

In a note to readers, he had written about wanting to make amends.

After reading the manuscript, I was not so sure.

Some scenes were very explicit, although written tastefully, but still explicit.

I was shocked and a little hurt that Felix had not confided in me about some of the affairs.

I knew two of the women. I was about to warn one, didn’t know how to talk to the other.

One night Felix’s ghost had asked.

Have you found the letter I left for you yet? Dusk should have brought it.

He had not said anything else about the manuscript, nor showed up again until I found the letter in a signed copy of What Dusk Brings, his most popular novel.

It was a notarized letter. An authorization to publish the unfinished manuscript, stipulating I should finish it, edit it and publish it. He had also specified I could keep half of the royalties.

Although my grandfather owned a successful legal practice where my uncle Phil worked, I couldn’t possibly seek counsel there.

So, I went somewhere else.

Carl recommended someone; Morgan Kiennan.

Mrs. Kiennan was very understanding and efficient. The content of Felix’s letter was clear and allowed me to move forward with working on the unfinished manuscript and getting it published.

Why had he left it unfinished?

The last chapter of the manuscript ended abruptly, and it was still in need of much proofreading and editing.

Did Felix have a feeling that his life was about to end?

@@@

Even before I met Rosie Martin, we had many connections and eerie synchronicities linking us. We just didn’t know it.

She was helping my friend Liam with a documentary when our paths crossed.

Later, talking, we realized we had an ex-boyfriend in common, but also friends, acquaintances, a love for coffee, breakfasts, and diners.

After reading her books, I asked Rosie to work with me on the Felix book project.

She had already read my books and was intrigued by the man who Felix had been.

It’s been more than a work collaboration with Rosie. She has become a close buddy and is on her way to being a friend.

That’s why I wanted her voice in this book.

@@@

How do I talk to Brian about the book project? About Felix’s manuscript?

How do I explain the ghosts to him?

He hasn’t sensed anything, but he has read my books. Surprisingly, he’s never asked questions.

Still, it would be a really big step to talk to him about Florence and Felix.

I did tell Owen when we were together, but I took my time.

Maybe Rosie will have some ideas about how to proceed, or even may she can talk to him about it.

Then again, what kind of relationship do I have with Brian if I can’t talk to him about very personal stuff like that? Then it can’t be a serious relationship.

Because this is now a relationship, a long-distance one, but still a relationship.

Things happened so fast once I came back from the trip to Ireland with Alex and Maggie, the Snowy Hill Girls.

When I came back, Owen had been distant, preoccupied.

I’d met Brian Masterson when Liam was shooting his documentary.

Brian was directing and helping Liam.

And all of a sudden, things started happening with Brian.

Owen had asked to take a step back, again, from our relationship, and this time, I was relieved.

Brian and I were talking more. He came to visit, from the West Coast, more often.

We have a lot of deep feelings for each other. We want to take our time, but we both want more.

I’ve shared with him some details about my past relationships, but talking about Felix is different. I’ve vaguely mentioned him a couple of times.

We have barely talked about his friendship with Rosie.

That’s another thing we haven’t discussed.

But now there’s also the book project, so I really have to talk to Brian about Felix and Rosie.

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Felix and Florence had been absent from my dreams until Felix reappeared all of a sudden, eager for me to do something about his unpublished manuscript.

You want me to write your very final chapter? Because there’s nothing about it on that disc.

That final chapter is especially important.

Is this about your death?

In a way, Penny. It’s about all of those who were there that night. In my house.

He hasn’t revealed more yet.

I’d met Felix Boudreaux during my university years. I had wanted more than friendship, but Felix was looking for a friend and confidante. It had been an eclectic and sometimes frustrating friendship, but in the end, Felix had chosen me to be his authorized biographer.

That had to mean something.

When I told him I would write the book with someone else, he’d just asked.

Is she a good writer?

Why are you assuming it’s a woman?

He grinned.

Because I really like the idea of two women working on a book about me.

I’d sighed.

To answer your question, yes, she’s a good writer.

Several nights ago, I finally asked him.

Why did you leave that disc at my place, while not telling me, for me to find? Did you have a feeling about what was about to happen to you?

No feeling about my impending death, but one about needing someone else to edit that manuscript. I thought we might do this together, but left instructions just in case.

It was a dream. The part about the instructions faded away from my memory.

Only later would Felix mention this again.

What about that last night? You mentioned you were not alone.

I wasn’t.

Is he playing a game, or doesn’t he remember everything?

@@@

It was easy to find Felix’s obit. I actually had a copy tucked away in a shoebox in the midst of postcards and mementos.

There was less about his family in this obit, then his career.

Who had written it?

Had he written his own obituary?

At the time, only his father, Fernand, was still alive. His mother, Vera, had passed away months before.

Now I realize Felix had never said anything about his mother’s death.

In the last months before he died, I barely saw or heard from Felix, except a couple of phone calls, emails, and several quick visits.

That had not been unusual.

Now I wonder if I could have asked more, say more.

Had he been depressed? Sick?

@@@

I’ve been thinking about having a small dinner party at the house to introduce Brian to my family and friends.

Again, the thought of mixing family and friends doesn’t necessarily appeal.

I should also invite Rosie because she’s a good friend of Brian.

My friend Alex has asked me how I feel about that.

I met Rosie through Liam. It’s one of those weird coincidences that keeps happening in my life. The world is such a small place, Alex. But how do I feel about Brian and Rosie being friends? I’m not sure about that yet. It’s not jealousy, but how much has he shared with her about us?

But you do trust him?

Oh yes, I do!

And Rosie?

I don’t know her that well, but she seems like a good person.

Brian now knows Rosie and I are working on a book about Felix. Yet, I’ve been vague about the details of the project.

He could become jealous of Felix. Alex said.

I’d giggled and said.

I sure hope not!

What about Liam?

What about him?

He’s friends with Rosie, right?

I’m stumped as I realize, yet again, that Rosie Martin is very much a part of my life, and we barely know each other.

I’d shrugged and declared.

I’m fine with it.

But I still wonder how much they talk about me.

@@@

Rosie and I have been discussing if we should reveal the identity of the women in Felix’s book.

There could be some legal implications.

I should talk to Phil, which implies divulging the book project.

How would have Felix handle it? Rosie asked when I raised the issue.

To be honest, I’m not sure he would have been careful about this.

The project is already taking proportions that we both had not foreseen.

Do you have regrets? My friend Nicholas asked.

He’s one of the few friends I’ve talked to about the book.

No, I really want to do this, but I want to be careful. There could be a lot of ramifications for many people.

So, did Felix use other names for those women?

Only some, but others are very recognizable because of how he describes them and their occupations.

I have to talk to my friend Carl, who’s a private investigator.

I’ve also enlisted his help with the book project to do some research.

I sense Carl feels torn about revealing some details about who hired him to find Felix’s manuscript the first time we met again, several years ago.

Carl knows Rosie. Another eerie coincidence.

Carl is a private investigator but also an old boyfriend.

Today we’re meeting for a beer at a pub near my place.

The day is overcast. There’s a chance of rain. The air is cooler.

I’m wearing one of Antoine’s old hoodies today. The red one.

It makes me feel closer to him.

When I get there, Carl is already at the resto-pub. He’s typing on a tablet.

When he sees me, he smiles, stands up and hugs me.

You’re wearing one of your dad’s old sweaters. Are you okay?

Yeah, one of those days when I miss him a bit more than usual.

Carl Jensen doesn’t change much.

Tall, fit, he keeps his dark blonde hair almost shoulder length.

He looks tired. Again.

It’s late afternoon. We order a pitcher of beer get some tortilla chips.

How have you been, Carl?

Busy. I was having trouble sleeping, but it’s getting better. And you, Penny?

It’s been interesting.

He already knows some things about the book project. I tell him more.

Penny, why are you doing this? The book about Felix?

Because the manuscript seems to allude that his suicide wasn’t one. I whispered. And he was a friend.

So, there was a manuscript!

It’s the first time I mention it.

Despite his reaction, I’m not sure he’s that surprised.

I wasn’t aware of its existence when you were looking for it.

I tell him more about the book project and Rosie Martin’s involvement.

Rosie has already told me she knows Carl through some work she asked to do for her.

If Rosie and I were to formally hire you, would you be able to tell us who asked you to find the manuscript back then?

Technically, no. Then he adds. But if you had very good reasons, like life and death ones, I might see if I can live with crossing that line. Could I see the manuscript?

You mean, read it?

Seeing it might be enough.

That’s a little strange, but I don’t push further.

I’ll ask Rosie, since she’s part of the project, but I don’t see why not.

But, really, I want to ask Felix.

You think this is going to work out, writing this book with Rosie Martin?

I’m a little surprised by Carl’s question. Still, the timing of it is a good one.

I hope so.

He looks at me, puzzled.

After the initial excitement about this project, and since asking Rosie to be part of it, I’ve been having second thoughts.

Why did you ask her in the first place?

I sigh.

I could blame sangria.

For the first time today, Carl smiles.

Ah, yes, sangria and you. An interesting mix.

Yes, but it was more than alcohol, Carl. The synchronicities that link us, and when I read her books, I thought she had the right kind of curiosity and research skills for the project, and I like her writing style. Carl, the first time you mentioned the manuscript to me, you had talked to Martine Lanois. You told me that.

She said she had heard rumors about a book.

Martine Lanois had been a university buddy, but also one of Felix’s friends. Back then, she was the one who had actually given my number to Felix.

So, she knew something. Maybe Felix told her something about the manuscript?

But if he knew her not to be very discreet, why would he? Carl asks.

Because he was like that sometimes. Proud and wanting to shock and gloat.

So, someone should talk to Martine?

Yeah. I guess that would be me and I would have to be very careful. She’s very smart about sensing when people are after information.

Back then, I got the impression she liked to show she knew la lot about what was going on with people.

I nod.

Yes, she was always like that. I guess now I have to find a way to sit down with her, maybe have lunch. She might have more information.

Have you thought of the possible legal implications of publishing this book?

I’ve talked to the lawyer you recommended, and she gave me some good guidelines.

About Martine Lanois...

Don’t worry, I won’t mention your name.

Back home from meeting Carl, I look up Martine’s social media pages and her website.

Because she has a website.

She was at Felix’s funeral. That much I remember.

I’ve been trying to remember who else was at Felix’s funeral.

It’s another grieving blurry day in my memory.

I send an email to Martine.

My very close friend Simon has sent a text.

Betsey wants to take a long break from Us, from Us as a couple. I’m on the fence here. What should I do?

This is not a surprise, but it still makes me sad.

I text him back.

So sorry to hear that things are not better. Do you want to have breakfast here tomorrow and talk about it? Before work?

That’s going to be awfully early. He’s added a laughing emoji.

I don’t mind. Would be great to have company for breakfast.

Okay. I can go to work for 9.

Breakfast will be served at 7.

@@@

Simon looks like he has not been sleeping a lot.

He is one of my closest, dearest, oldest friends.

He works as a guidance counselor at a college nearby.

I’ve made pancakes for breakfast.

Simon hasn’t been very talkative since walking in.

I still don’t know what happened. He calmly blurts out during breakfast.

I’m not sure we should be talking about something so emotional before Simon goes to work.

There must have been signs? I ask.

I think I never fully realized how romance was important to Betsey, and, you know me, I’m not the most romantic guy.

Simon has lived with Betsey Jones until she found