"robert asprin - 06 - little myth marker" - читать интересную книгу автора (Asprin Robert)

I experienced an all-too-familiar sinking feeling in my
stomach that meant I was in trouble... lots of it.

Chapter Two:

"Kids? Who said anything about kids?"

ЧCONAN

THE little girl looked at me through eyes that glowed
with trust and love. She barely stood taller than my
waist and had that wholesome, healthy glow that young
girls are all supposed to have but so few actually do.
With her little beret and matching jumper, she looked so
much like an oversized doll that I wondered if she'd say
"Mama" if you turned her upside down, then right-side
up again.

She was so adorable that it was obvious that anyone
with a drop of paternal instinct would fall in love with
her on sight. Fortunately, my partner had trained me
well; any instincts I had were of a more monetary na-
ture.

"What's that?" I demanded.

"It's a little girl," the Geek responded. "Haven't you
ever seen one before?"

For a minute, I thought I was being baited. Then I
remembered some of my earliest conversations with
Aahz and controlled my temper.

"I realize that it's a little girl, Geek," I said carefully.
"What I was really trying to ask is a) who is she? b)
what is she doing here? and c) what has this got to do
with Pidge's marker? Do I make myself clear?"

The Deveel blinked his eyes in bewilderment.

"But I just told you. Her name is Markie. She's
Pidge's marker . . . you know, the one you said you
would cover personally?"

My stomach bottomed out.

"Geek, we were talking about a piece of paper. You
know, 'IOU, etc.'? A marker! Who leaves a little girl
for a marker?"