"EB - Edward L. Ferman - The Best From Fantasy & Science Fiction 23rd EditionUC - SS" - читать интересную книгу автора (Fantasy & Science Fiction Magazine)

The Detweiler Boy
27
He nodded. "Ticky-tacky."
"Thanks again."
"Don't mention it." He opened the door for me and then closed it behind me. I sighed and walked across to 408. I tang the bell. It didn't play anything, just went bing-bong.
David (or Murray) was about twenty-five, redheaded, and freckled. He had a slim, muscular body which was also freckled. I could tell because he was wearing only a pair of jeans, cut off very short, and split up the sides to the waistband. He was barefooted and had a smudge of green paint on his nose. He had an open, friendly face and gave me a neutral smile-for-a-stranger. "Yes?" he asked.
I showed him my ID. Instead of going pale, he only looked interested, "I was told by the man in 409 you might be able to tell me something about Andrew Detweiler."
"Andy?" He frowned slightly. "Come on in. I'm David Fowler." He held out his hand.
I shook it "Bert Mallory." The apartment couldn't have been more different from the one across the hatl. It was comfortable and cluttered, and dominated by a drafting table surrounded by jars of brushes and boxes of paint tubes. Architecturally, however, it was almost identical. The terrace was covered with potted plants rather than naked muscles. David Fowler sat on the stool at the drafting table and began cleaning brushes. When he sat, the split in his shorts opened and exposed half his butt, which was also freckled. But I got the impression he wasn't exhibiting himself; he was just completely indifferent.
"What do you want to know about Andy?"
"Everything."
He laughed. "That lets me out. Sit down. Move the stuff."
I cleared a space on the couch and sat. "How did Detweiler and Maurice get along?"
He gave me a knowing look. "Fine. As far as I know. Maurice liked to pick up stray puppies. Andy was a stray puppy."
"Was Detweiler a hustler?"
He laughed again. "No. I doubt if he knew what the word means."
"Was he gay?"
"No."
"How do you know?"
28
Tom Reamy
The Detweiler Boy
29
He grinned. "Haven't you heard? We can spot each other a mile away. Would you like some coffee?"
"Yes, I would. Thank you."
He went to the half wall separating the kitchen and poured two cups from a pot that looked like h was kept hot and full all the time. "It's hard to describe Andy. There was something very little-boyish about him. A real innocent. Delighted with everything new. It's sad about his back. Real sad." He handed me the cup and returned to the stool. "There was something very secretive about him. Not about his feelings; he was very open about things like that."
"Did he and Maurice have sex together?"
"No. I told you it was a stray-puppy relationship. I wish Murray were here. He's much better with words than I am. I'm visually oriented."
"Where is he?"
"At work. He's a lawyer."
"Do you think Detweiler could have killed Maurice?"
"No."
"Why?"
"He was here with us all evening. We had dinner and played Scrabble. I think he was real sick, but he tried to pretend he wasn't. Even if he hadn't been here, I would not think so."
"When was the last tune you saw him?"
"He left about half an hour before they found Maurice. I imagine he went over there, saw Maurice dead, and decided to disappear. Can't say as I blame him. The police might've gotten some funny ideas. We didn't mention him."
"Why not?"
"There was no point in getting him involved. It was just an accident."
"He couldn't have killed Maurice after he left here?"
"No. They said he'd been dead over an hour. What did Desmond tell you?"
"Desmond?"
"Across the hall. The one who looks like he smells something bad."
"How did you know I talked to him and not the side of beef?"
He laughed and almost dropped his coffee cup. "I don't think Roy can talk."
"He didn't know nothin' about nothin'." I found myself laughing also. I got up and walked to the glass doors. I slid them open and then shut again. "Did you ever think one of these was open when it was really shut?"
"No. But I've heard of it happening."
I sighed. "So have I." I turned and looked at what he was working on at die drafting table. It was a small painting of a boy and girl, she in a soft white dress, and he in jeans and tee shirt. They looked about fifteen. They were embracing, about to kiss. It was quite obviously the first time for both of them. It was good. I told him so.
He grinned with pleasure. "Thanks. It's for a paperback cover.**
"Whose idea was it that Detweiler have dinner and spend the evening with you?"
He thought for a moment. "Maurice." He looked up at me and grinned. "Do you know stamps?"