Literally Robbery

A jealous old friend comes to call on Lorin. 300-word flash

Literally Robbery

“You won’t get away with this!” Lorin said through her gag.
Janna laughed.
“How will you stop me?”
Lorin struggled to loosen the bonds. Janna chuckled as she released every page from the bundle and threw it on the bonfire, she’d lit in the metal garbage can.
Lorin watched her manuscript go up in flames. She opened her mouth to answer Janna’s last question but decided to refrain.
“What’s the matter? Has the famous author who stole my idea lost her voice?” Lorin stiffened with outrage, but forced herself to relax. She had nothing to worry about.
Janna began searching her home office. When she found a locked drawer, she jimmied the lock. With a triumphant crow, she pulled out Lorin’s laptop.
“I’ll take this and scrub it so clean you’ll never get your latest book back ever!” Lorin pulled against her ropes. “You might as well give it up! I was a Girl Guide and an expert knot tier, remember?”
Lorin drooped. She always took precautions with her manuscripts and her work notes. This time was no different. Janna dusted off her hands.
“Why are you doing this? We’ve been friends since college!”
“Until you stole my idea and made a career from it.” Janna looked around to see if she’d missed anything. She reached in her jacket pocket and pulled out a sap. “I want to get away before you get help from anyone.”
Lorin fell into darkness as she heard the office door shut. It was her landline ringing off the hook that brought her back to consciousness.
“Lorin? You okay?” it was her editor, Sunni.
“Tell me you got the copy of my new book in your mail today!
“Of course, although why you insist on sending me a longhand copy, I’ll never understand.