Cook, Glen - Garrett Files 04 - Old Tin Sorrows by Cook Glen

Author:Cook, Glen [Cook, Glen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery
ISBN: 9780451160133
Publisher: Roc
Published: 1989-06-05T07:00:00+00:00

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23

Saucerhead said, “That old boy didn’t look good, Garrett. What’s he got?”

“I don’t know. You’re going to help me find out.”

“Say what?”

“Dellwood, the General said give my friend enough to cover some upcoming expenses. How much do you need, Saucerhead?” Hand him a chance to make his trip worth the trouble.

He didn’t bite. Not very big. “Twenty. The guy tries to jack me up, I’ll pull his ears off.” He would. And wrap them with a bow.

“Get the name, then get the guy. Right? But find a doctor somewhere and bring him out here, too.”

“A doctor? You lost me somewhere, Garrett. What you want a doctor for?”

“To look at the old man. He’s got a thing about croakers. Only way to get one close is fool him. So you do that. All right?”

“You’re paying the freight.”

“Hurry all you can.”

“Right.” He was supposed to be too simple for sarcasm but I smelled a load there.

Dellwood gave him twenty marks. He left. I went to the front door, watched him head out in a buggy he’d probably rented from Playmate, a mutual friend. I grumbled about his expenses. The old man had given me a nice advance but I hadn’t counted on quite so many expenses.

Dellwood joined me. “May I ask what that was all about, sir?”

“You can ask. Don’t mean I’ll tell you. Part of the job. You going to tell the General I’m sneaking a doctor in on him?”

He gave it a think. “No sir. It’s appropriate. Except for yesterday he’s been sinking fast. He’s pretending to bear up today, but last night is gnawing at him, too. If there’s a way . . . Let me know if I can aid in the deception.”

“I will. I have a lot to do today.” Like what? Not that much specific. “I’ll let you know before Tharpe gets back.”

“Very well, sir.”

We parted. I went upstairs to see if Morley was in the suite. He’d have a part to play. As I reached the top balcony I spied my friend in white across the way. I waved. She surprised me by waving back.

Morley wasn’t there. Just like him, not to be handy when I needed him. Thoughtless of him. I grabbed my coat and headed out.

The blonde was still there. She wasn’t watching for me. I decided to take one more crack at sneaking up on her. Slipped up to the loft, across, went down.

Ha! Still there!

Only . . . My imagination had run away with me. This wasn’t my blonde. This was Jennifer wearing white and not the same white the blonde wore. She smiled kind of sadly as I approached her. “What’s the matter?” I asked.

“Life.” She leaned her elbows on the rail. I joined her, leaving a few feet between us. Below, our hero remained locked in mortal combat with the dragon. Chain passed without giving them a glance. I knew how the knight felt. Us heroes like to be applauded for our efforts.

I answered Jennifer with one of those “Uhm?” noises that mean you’ll listen if your companion wants to share her troubles.

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