Alongside Night by J. Neil Schulman

Author:J. Neil Schulman [Schulman, J. Neil]
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: Anthology
Published: 2010-03-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

He found the advertisement classified in The New York Times under “Services Available.”

It read:

How good is your security system? If we can’t crack it, no one can. Money-back guarantee. Confidential free consultations, no appointment necessary. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, Empire State Building, New York, N.Y. 10001

Lorimer dropped the clipping onto the bed table. “That’s where you’re heading today?”

Elliot, still undressed, sat down on the bed next to her.

“There and also to the Times building, where I’ll drop off my reply to another ad. Come with me?”

“Just for company?”

Elliot shook his head. “Whoever is looking for us individually won’t be thinking about a couple. I also get the feeling you’re pretty up on cloak-and-dagger.”

Lorimer shrugged. “Something rubs off, I guess.” She hesitated. “That’s what my appointment today was supposed to be about. I’ve been told Merce Rampart thinks I could make a good operative.”

Elliot looked at her seriously. “Have you met him?”

She shook her head. “I would’ve today.”

“I wonder,” said Elliot. “I’m beginning to think that there isn’t any Merce Rampart. That he’s just a bogey invented to throw everyone off the track.”

“You’re a cynic.”

“Not at all. I’m a rational empiricist. And an impatient one. Are you coming with me?”

Lorimer nodded. “I had some shopping to do anyway.”

“Me, too. A change of clothes. And some brown hair dye.”

164

Alongside Night

“Not that easy sometimes. When I dyed my hair last week, I had to pick up colored contact lenses.”

“That’s not your real coloring?”

“My hair’s as blond as yours.”

“Well that explains—Oh, never mind.” He studied her. “You know, blonde you’d look a little like my sister.”

“Thanks. I think. Now come up close.” Elliot slid over; Lorimer looked into his eyes. He could not resist kissing her. After a time she asked, “Is that how you treat your sister?”

“No.” He kissed her again.

“You have a one-track mind.”

“That’s me, all right. The Man with the Monorail Mind. “

Lorimer flipped off the bed covers. “Later. I’m taking a shower.”

Elliot flicked an invisible cigar ash onto the carpet. Imaginary thick eyebrows gyrated up and down behind imaginary glasses.

“Mind if I join you?”

At ten thirty Elliot answered a knock at the door, Lorimer still in the bathroom drying her hair. It was Mr. Ferrer with their delivery from the food cooperative.

Elliot took in the first carton; then, after accompanying Ferrer down to his apartment for two more, returned upstairs with him to pay the ten eurofrancs due. After thanking Ferrer, Elliot asked him if there were anything he could do in return.

“Would you be going near a newspaper stand today?” Ferrer asked.

“Going uptown a little later.”

“Would you pick up a newspaper for me? Our newsboy did not show up today. Again.”

“No problem.” Ferrer thanked Elliot and returned downstairs. Elliot went to the kitchen, turning on the radio—easy-lis- Alongside Night 165

tening music was playing—then began storing the groceries. When half an hour later Lorimer finally emerged, dressed in a tight cashmere sweater and slacks, coffee was on the table, tarts in the toaster, and bacon draining. “So you cook too, huh?”

she said.

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