"Cook, Glen - Garrett Files 11 - Whispering Nickel Idols" - читать интересную книгу автора (Cook Glen)

Dreadful? What kind of name was that? УThereТs a message for
me, then?Ф I gave the urchin the benefit of my best scowl. He
wasnТt impressed. Likely nothing troubled him as long as he stayed
out of grabbing range.

I saw nothing suggesting aristocratic antecedents, though Dreadful
is the sort of name favored by the sorcerers and spook chasers on
the Hill, our not so subtle, secret masters.

УYes. There is. In the kitchen,Ф Dean blurted. He pushed past. УIТll
get it in a minute. Here, Penny. Mr. Garrett will let you out. WonТt
you, Mr. Garrett?Ф

УSure, I will. IТm one of the good guys, arenТt I?Ф I stood against the
wall as Dean pushed past again, headed the other way.

The kid clutched the packet and retreated. Odd. My internal
reaction wasnТt overpowering, but it was of a strength usually
reserved for those darlings who make priests regret their career
choices.

I opened the door. The ragamuffin slid out and scurried away,
hunched like he expected to get hit. He didnТt slow down till he
reached the intersection of Macunado Street with WizardТs Reach.

He looked back while he was eating, saw me watching. Startled, he
zipped around the corner.

Buzz! Buzz! Tinkling, musical laughter. Something tugged my hair.
A tiny voice piped, УGarrettТs got a girlfriend.Ф

УHello, Marienne.Ф Marienne was an adolescent pixie of the female
variety. A squabbling nest of the wee folk live in the voids inside
the exterior walls of my house. Marienne loved to give me a hard
time.

УLooked a little young to me,Ф a second voice observed. My hair
suffered again. УToo tender for a butcher whose forest is getting a
little thin in back.Ф

УHollybell. You horrid little bug. I knew youТd never let Marienne out
of your sight.Ф Hollybell and Marienne are inseparable. Before the
leaves finish falling, though, theyТll discover boys who arenТt all
smell and dirt and stupid. Soon the slightest sigh would have
universe-shuddering importance.

УMr. Garrett?Ф

Dean wanted me. He always horns in when I want to play with little
girls.