"Steven Gould - Wildside" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gould Stephen Jay)

"Expenses? Expenses?" He put the cue down on the table and leaned forward, his hands on the
felt. "How much money are you expecting in?"

"Well, I expect either one, two, three, or four hundred K. I hope we're talking four
hundred—it's not that unlikely. That's within the month, but it's really start-up money. We won't see
the real money until next year."

"Real money? Four hundred K isn't real money? What kind of expenses are you talking?"

"Better you shouldn't know."

He got a pained look on his face. "Come on. No bullshit. You're sure this isn't illegal? You've
got to tell me. I'm your lawyer, but I won't be if you're not straight with me. What sort of expenses?"

I took a deep breath and licked my lips. "Building materials. Aircraft. Fuel. Advanced flight
instruction for five people. Radio and weather equipment." I didn't mention the weapons.

"Weather-monitoring equipment?"
 "Yeah."

"Weather-monitoring equipment." He shook his head. "I don't believe this. Look—just shoot
pool. We'll talk about this if the money comes in."

"When."

"Huh?"

"When the money comes in."

He got a pained expression on his face. "Rack 'em."

The Five moved me the next day, descending on my parents' house to help me box stuff. I didn't
know what else to call us—Lazarus Company was a fictional front for dealing with the zoos, the
Austin account was in the "Lazarus Company" name, and the corporation was called, "Wildside
Investments." Maybe later we'd be the Wildsiders.

The probationary period on Joey's DWI conviction was over and his dad let him use his full-size
pickup. I left the bed and dresser, but took my desk, computer, and bookshelves.

Mom was strangely quiet as we packed the two vehicles. When we were ready to leave she
gave me a small cooler with sandwiches and sodas, for us to eat out at the ranch. There were tears in
her eyes.

"Mom. I'm coming home for supper, remember?"

She shook her head. "I know. That's not the point. Never mind. You can bring your laundry
home if you want."

"There's a washer and dryer on the ranch—it'd be silly."