"Jerry Davis - Opposite Ends Meet Here (2)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Davis Jerry)

Finney glanced down at the body between them, and took a half step away from the
widening pool of blood. "He, ah, retired suddenly." Finney looked up into Kyle's eyes. "An
honest man wouldn't have to worry about losing his employment in such a way. You are an
honest man, aren't you?"
"Reasonably so."
Finney took the knife out of Kyle's hand, and put the wad of money in its place. "We leave
before sunrise tomorrow morning. Pack some clothes and a few small personal items and be at
the spaceport early."
"Uh..." Kyle looked down at the ex-bodyguard.
"I'll take care of this," Finney said. "You go settle your local affairs and meet us at the
spaceport."
Kyle shoved the wad of money deep into his pants pocket and, hefting the gyro stick over
his shoulder, made his way out of the alley. It occurred to him to go to the nearest Constable
and report the incident, as he was sure it was horribly illegal, but the thought of lots of money
and a chance to escape his life of mocking ridicule kept him from doing it.

#


Kyle's dad lived in a nice adobe style home in the Little Mexico quarter, amid sleepy
neighborhood stores and a nearby school. This was where Kyle had spent the latter part of his
childhood, where he grew up with friends that, until finding out the truth about him, had been
dear. There had been summers of stick ball and street soccer, and bittersweet teenage crushes
that lead nowhere. His dad, who was actually his adoptive father and not a blood relation, was
the only person to which he was still close. Kyle stood for a moment in the front yard, reliving
a few memories, before banging on the old graphite door.
"Who is it?" came a dry, old voice.
"It's me, Dad."
"Well, come on in."
Kyle's father was thin, frail, with faded and baggy clothes and long stringy white hair. He
was 167 years old, and half his body was artificial. His new heart had been cloned from the
old one, both still in the body and working together. He could easily last another 167 years if
he wanted to, as long as he took it easy. Kyle gave the old man a gentle hug, then pulled out
the wad of cash. "Look at this, eh?"
"What is that?" His father stared at it with suspicion.
"This is an advance on my pay. I just got a new job."
"You quit the gym?"
"Well, not yet, but I have to this afternoon. I'm leaving the planet."
"Where are you going?"
"I don't know yet."
"You don't know? What kind of job is this? What are you doing?"

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Opposite Ends Meet Here

"Taking care of some rich lady. Here," Kyle said, peeling off a few bills. "I'll keep this, you
take the rest." He handed his father the bulk of the cash. "This should last you quite a while."
His father held the cash in his hands as if he were unsure of what to do with it. "Kyle, what
is it you're doing for this rich lady? She doesn't expect you to...?"
"No Dad. I'm her bodyguard."