"Cook, Glen - Garrett 06 - Red Iron Nights" - читать интересную книгу автора (Cook Glen)

its because they try living up to an image from an early age.
Gamboling, Puddle? Where did Puddle pick up a word like gamboling? The man had trouble with his own name on account of it had more than one syllable.
You been going to school or something?

Puddle just grinned.

I asked, What is this, teak on Tommy Tucker night? With easygoing old Garrett playing Tommy?
Puddles grin widened into an unappealing smear of rotten and missing teeth.
He was one guy who should convert and become one of Morleys born-again vegetarians.

Saucerhead said, You make yourself a fat target.

I must. For everybody. You hear what Dean did?

Dean is the old boy who keeps house for me and my partner and cooks for me. Hes about seventy. Hed make somebody a fine wife.
While we jawed, Tharpes tablemate filled and tamped, filled and tamped the biggest damn pipe I ever saw. It had a bowl like a bucket. Puddle snagged a brass coal bucket off the bar. Licks used copper tongs to transfer one small coal to his pipe. He puffed clouds of weed smoke potent enough to sky
us all.
Musicians, Saucerhead muttered, as though that explained the ills of the world. I didnt hear, Garrett. Whats he done now? Found you another cat? Dean was going through a stray-collecting spell. Id had to get firm to keep
from ending up up to my belt buckle in cat hair.
Worse. He says hes moving in. Like I dont get a vote. And he goes on about
it like hes making some kind of supreme sacrifice.
Saucerhead chuckled. There goes your extra room. No place left to stash
you a spare honey. Poor baby. Gots to make do with one at a time.
Grumble grumble. Aint like Im overstocked. I been doing with none at a time since Tinnie and Winger ran into each other on my front steps. Puddle
laughed. Heathen.

Tharpe asked, What about Maya?
I havent seen her in six months. I think she left town. Its me and Eleanor now. Eleanor is a painting on my office wall. I love the gal but she has her limitations. Everybody thought my situation was hilariousexcept Tharpes friend. He wasnt hearing anybody but himself anymore. He started humming. I decided he couldnt be much of a musician. He couldnt carry a tune in
a handcart.
Puddle stopped snickering long enough to say, I knew you was up to something.
Not your usual, but you still looking to get bailed out.
Damnit, I just wanted out of the house. Dean is driving me buggo and the Dead Man wont take a nap on account of hes expecting Glory Mooncalled to do something and he dont want to miss the news. I defy anybody to put up
with those two for half as long as I have.
Yeah, you do got a hard life. Saucerhead sneered. My heart goes out. Tell you what. Ill trade you. I take your place, you take mine. Ill throw in Billie. Billie being his current flame, a little bit of a blond with temper
enough for a platoon of redheads.

Do I detect a note of disenchantment?

No. You detect the whole damned opera.
Thanks anyway. Maybe next time. Saucerheads place was a one-room walk-up without furniture enough for company. I lived in places like that before
I scored big enough to buy the house I share with the Dead Man.
Saucerhead tucked his thumbs into his belt, leaned back, smirked and nodded, nodded and smirked. A smirk on his ugly face is a wonder to behold. He ever holds one too long the Crown might declare it a national park. He claims hes all human, but from his size and looks youve got to suspect he has a little troll or giant in him. You aint ready to deal, Garrett, I cant
say I got a lot of sympathy for you.
I couldve gone to some second-rate swillhouse and drowned my sorrows in ardent spirits, pouring my woes into the ears of sympathetic strangers, but
no, I had to come down here . . .

That works for me, Puddle kicked in when I hit the part about ardent spirits. Dont let us hold you up.
I never did count him as a friend. He just came with my friend Morleythough Morleys friendship can be suspect enough. You take the joy out of the Joy
House, Puddle.