Chapter 17: Another letter for Brandon

October 3, 2006

Dear Brandon,

I am flattered that you invited me to call you by your first name. I understand that it may not mean much to you, but I was raised in a much more formal setting, and so being invited to use your first name to me suggests that you feel we are becoming friends. Let me tell you, nothing would make me happier. I am thrilled at the very thought. Right now, another friend is a truly wonderful thing. You can never have too many, as the saying goes. Friends are those who know us best, who will miss us most, and who love us deepest.

As per your request, I have included the first four chapters of my as yet untitled mystery. Please excuse the name Albert Ingert. It is an abstraction, will probably be replaced in the final draft, and for now, serves as a personal joke for me. After all, his initials are AI.