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cussing and more times than not already dead. But again, Wolfe was willing to make a few adjustments to try his hand at this.
    “Remember,” Alfred had said cautiously, “the bad guy is always one prayer away from total conversion.”
    “Yes, there is definitely an antagonist. He’s sort of a well-dressed, mild-mannered kind of guy, who is often seen giving to the poor and has a soft spot for injured animals.”
    Harry’s head had tilted to the side, like he was trying to examine something from another angle.
    Wolfe quickly added, “He has a terrible temper.”
    Harry scratched his nose and said, “Let me see if I’ve got this right. You’ve got a story about a woman who is left behind on the prairie after the Rapture takes place, who then falls in love with a humble eunuch, who is little help against the frightful temper of the good Samaritan?”
    Wolfe frowned. Oddly, it didn’t sound that good when summed up in a single sentence.
    Harry asked, “She wouldn’t happen to be hiding dark family secrets, would she?” He chuckled and glanced at his watch. “Wolfe, what are you doing right now?”
    “Bombing?”
    Harry laughed. “Maybe it’s time I familiarize you with this strange new world you’ve entered.”
    “Okay. And how will you do that?”
    “Let’s go find your agent and see what happens when I suggest we meditate’ over some new ideas.”
    Wolfe laughed. “Sounds like fun.”

C HAPTER 8
    A LFRED HAD THE BODY LANGUAGE DOWN . There was a lot of arm patting, which was taking some getting used to, and apparently nobody did the Euro-kiss here, but other than that, he was feeling a little more relaxed.
    With dinner over, thirty minutes of free time took the evening to some sort of special night session that Alfred was scared to even ask about. It was tided
Cutting Out the Bad Parts: Exercising Your Redactor Arm
, and though there were hints that the topic might be self-editing, Alfred wasn’t entirely sure they weren’t talking about exorcism.
    The room was still swollen with eager and talkative conferees, but Alfred stood on his tiptoes, trying to get a glimpse of Wolfe. Ordinarily, he was easy to spot in a crowd due to his height. But Alfred hadn’t seen him since early evening, and though he’d never felt very imaginative, he had dreamed up all sorts of scenarios, including the idea that a group might have hauled him off to another building to “pray over him.”
    “Alfred?”
    Alfred turned to find Ellie. “Oh, hello.”
    “You look a little stressed. Are you okay?”
    “I can’t find Wolfe. Have you seen him?”
    “I saw him earlier. He was speaking to Harry Rector.”
    Alfred smiled. That was a good sign. Mr. Rector was one of the most highly regarded editors in this business. Through his research, Alfred hadactually uncovered the fact that Mr. Rector’s father was responsible for some translation of the Bible. Now if that doesn’t get you in the door, what will?
    “How is the conference going for you?” Ellie asked. “I’m making all kinds of contacts,” Alfred lied. “Of the nonphysical kind.”
    “It’s all about the business card.” And with that, she slid one into his hand. Alfred looked down, and there was Ellies pleasantly round face frozen in time next to her name in nearly unreadable calligraphy.
    “If you push the back, it actually sings you a tune,” Ellie said. Then she laughed. “I’m just kidding. But I have seen those. Who would spend that kind of money, though?”
    “Exactly how long have you been an agent?”
    “I’m in my fifth year.”
    “Good for you.” Alfred grinned.
    “Are you finding your way around okay?”
    “Sure.”
    “This must be a lot different than New York, huh?”
    “Let’s just say I’ve never once prayed over my caviar.”
    “Well, Wolfe has just been a complete delight. He doesn’t look at all like the picture on the back of his book.”
    “Yeah, that’s been digitally enhanced.”
    “To make him look