"Bull,.Emma.-.War.For.The.Oaks" - читать интересную книгу автора (Bull Emma)

yanked his guitar strap over his head and let the Strat drop to the
stage. The pickups howled painfully through his amp.

Eddi heard DaleТs bass stumble through a succession of wrong
notes, and fall silent. She supposed he was right; Stuart had made
it imposнsible to end the song gracefully. But for her prideТs sake,
she played out the measure and added a final flourish. Carla
matched her perfectly, and Eddi wanted to kiss her feet for it.

The dancers had deserted the floor, and people were finishing
drinks and pulling on jackets. She swept the room a stagey bow. At
the corner of her vision, she thought she saw a dark-coated figure
move toward the door.

Stuart had turned off his amp and unplugged his axe. His
expression was forbidding. Eddi turned away to tend to her own
equipment, but not before she saw the club manager striding
toward the stage.

УYou the bandleader?Ф she heard him ask Stuart.

УYeah,Ф said Stuart, Уwhat is it?Ф

ItТs our walking papers, Stu, she thought sadly, knowing that he
could save the whole gig now, if only he would be pleasant and
conciliating. He wouldnТt be, of course. The manager would tell
Stuart what he should be doing with his band, and Stuart, instead of
thanking him for the tip, would recommend he keep his asshole
advice to himself.

And Stuart would make Eddi out the villain if he could. Well, she
was done with that now. She finished packing her guitar and
tracked the power cord on her amplifier back to the outlet.

УYouТre that sure, huh?Ф CarlaТs voice came from over her head.

УYou mean, am I packing up everything? Yeah. You want help
tearing down?Ф

Carla looked faded and limp. УYou can pack the electronic junk.Ф

Eddi nodded, and started unplugging things from the back of the
drum machine. УYou done good, kid. Even at the end when it hit the
fan.Ф

Carla shook her head and grinned. УWell, you got to go out in a
blaze of something.Ф

Over at the bar, Stuart and the manager had begun to shout at
each other. УI booked a goddamn five-piece!Ф the manager yelled.