"Elrod, P N - Jack Fleming - The Vampire Files 02 - Lifeblood" - читать интересную книгу автора (Elrod P N)

"I think I shall purchase a more effective vest for the future, though,
this one seems a bit too thin for the job. Now, where is the stamp?"

Mutely, I handed over the beaded green bag. I didn't trust myself to say
anything yet as it probably would have been too obscene. While he
rummaged for the leather case I got up and checked the alley exit,
putting some distance between us for a minute. On top of everything
else, the son of a bitch didn't need a punch in the chops from a friend
who was glad to see him alive.

Sled and the woman were long gone. It seemed like a good idea for us as
well; their bartender friend might come out any minute, and we'd had
enough excitement for one night.

Escott found and checked the case with its faded smudge of blue paper.
"Philately is not an especial interest of mine. I fear I am quite
unimpressed, even if it is worth five thousand American dollars."

"Yeah, well, let's make tracks before that girl remembers and decides to
come back."

He saw the sense of it. "Would you help me up? I fear the bullet caught
me near that knife wound, and things are still rather tender there. What
rotten bad luck."

"I'd say it was pretty good since it missed your head." I got him to his
feet and retrieved his cane.

"Heavens, are you all right? I saw you--

"She was using lead, not wood, so I'm just peachy."

He decided to ignore the sarcasm. I was justifiably annoyed with him and
he knew the best thing was to let it run its course.

He leaned on my arm for support as we gingerly picked our way out of the
alley. Though his was pretty fair, he didn't have my night vision and
relied on me to keep him afoot. We found his big Nash a block away. He
insisted he could drive, so I shoveled him behind the wheel and took my
place on the passenger side with a sigh.

"What went wrong back there?" I asked.

"She recognized me, for one thing, but that's all right because I
recognized her."

"Okay, I'm holding my breath."

He spared me a sideways look, started the car, and pulled into the
street. "I can believe that. She still might have been willing to deal,