"Brian Lumley - Psychomech 01 - Psychomech" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lumley Brian)

‘That’s a new approach,’ Garrison told him. ‘To ask how much it hurts, I mean. Others just seem to take it for granted
that I’m crippled. I mean mentally as well as physically. In actual fact my mind is sharper, clearer. That’s only natural, I
suppose. But how much does it hurt?’ He paused, shrugged. ‘Neither God nor the devil himself can put it right, and so
I have to get used to the idea. It did Yiuri, yes. I mean, there are so many places, pretty girls, marvels I never had time
to see. But now - I have a good clear memory and a good imagination. Also, the rest of my senses are good. I smell
things now. I hear things I never heard before. Things taste . . . different. And when I touch something, that is to know
it. Like Willy, for instance. Sometimes I feel I’ve known him for years.’
‘So. And Willy has been looking after you, has he?’
‘He’s been doing a great job. Except—’
‘Yes?’
Garrison grinned up at the big man where he stood, shifting his weight from one foot to the other and back. ‘Oh,
nothing. It’s just that he has a certain advantage over me - for now, anyway.’
‘Willy, what have you been doing?’
‘Nothing, Thomas, I assure you. I think the Corporal means that I am able to see Fraulein Maler while he is not. That
is my advantage. They were breakfasting together. Perhaps I interrupted something?’
Garrison and Schroeder laughed together, but the latter’s laughter quickly turned to a dry coughing. His grip
tightened on Garrison’s hand as spasms racked his body. In another moment they passed.
‘Willy,’ Schroeder’s voice was broken. ‘You have things to do. You can leave Mr Garrison with me.’
‘Yes, Thomas. Thank you.’ Koenig turned to Garrison. ‘I hope to see you later, sir.’
When Koenig had gone Schroeder and Garrison sat in silence for a few moments. Finally Garrison said: ‘A
wheelchair, chest pains, internal damage, general debility, and you ask me how much it hurts? My pain is all in the
mind - and fading. Your pains are physical, real - and getting worse.’
‘There’s more of a difference than that,’ Schroeder observed. ‘You were innocent. I was not. In a way, I even caused
the thing. I probably got what I deserved. You deserved much better. Therefore I am in your debt. It is a debt I intend
to settle. Fully.’
‘Forget it,’ Garrison answered, his tone hardening. ‘Let’s say we’re all squared up.’
‘I don’t understand.’ Schroeder sounded genuinely mystified.
‘You can’t give me back my eyes,’ said Garrison, ‘They’re gone - for good. I know you’re a rich man, but that’s a
debt you simply can’t repay. Don’t knock yourself out trying.’
For long moments Schroeder was silent. Then: ‘At least you accept a drink, eh? Bad brandy, with a coke to sweeten
it?’
Garrison grinned, glad that the tone of the conversation had lightened. ‘You’ve been speaking to Willy,’ he said.
And talking about Willy: how come he calls me sir and you Thomas?’
Schroeder gave a dry chuckle. ‘I have ordered him to call me Thomas,’ he explained. ‘I had to order it, since that was
the only way. As to why he calls you sir: well, he will be calling you that for a good’ many years to come.’
‘I don’t follow that. I mean, I’m only here for one week.’
‘Oh? We shall have to see. But you should know, Richard, that I have always been a forceful man.’
Garrison nodded thoughtfully. ‘I’m sure you have been,’ he said. ‘I’m quite sure you have.. .’

Chapter Three

‘Has Willy shown you over the place?’ Schroeder asked.
‘Inside only,’ Garrison answered. ‘He was going to take me through the gardens and into the woods - the pines?
-but I was late out of bed and there wasn’t time.’
‘Ah, yes! Willy is strict on schedules. He always follows instructions or agreed tactics to the letter.’
‘Tactics?’
 Schroeder chuckled. ‘Tactics, strategies - did you think these terms were only used in battle? No, there are business
tactics, too, and there are also tactics for entertaining guests. In your case we shall be obliged to mix the two, though
as a rule that’s a cocktail not much to my taste. But come, you push and I shall steer. You be the engine and I’ll be the
engineer. We’ll talk as we go.’