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

but the whole business went wrong because of Swafford's marked money. I
should have checked it earlier."

"You really think she would have chanced a deal, even after spotting
you?"

"It was a possibility. Even knowing me. she might have taken the money
and given you the chance to follow, but then the best-laid plans and all
that. Safford has his precious stamp and cash, but he's going to hear a
few words from me about it." He suddenly swung the car in a wide turn.
"I think we shall visit him now while I'm still angry."

He didn't look angry--a touch gleeful, but not angry.

"It's after one," I pointed out.

"Good, then it is unlikely we will be interrupting any of his other
appointments."

He drove to a suburb that had the kind of big houses with hot and cold
running servants, precision-cut lawns, and cars that always started in
the dead of winter. He picked out a lumpy stone specimen, sailed through
the decorative iron gates, parked, and motioned me to follow. Some
lights were showing through the downstairs windows, but they were only
to discourage burglars and to keep Jeeves from tripping over the
Chippendale while answering the front bell in the very early morning.

The bathrobed butler opened the door, decided we were strictly
servant's-entrance material, and was about to close it, but Escott got
past him and requested to see Mr. Swafford.

"Mr. Swafford has gone to bed," he informed us in chilling times.

"Then I suggest you roust him or I shall have the unpleasant task of
doing it myself."

Both of them had English accents, but Escott's was genuine, and the
butler knew when he was outclassed. He sniffed at us, a bad mistake,
because Escott still smelted like a stuffy church on Easter Sunday, and
retreated upstairs. After a brief wait. Swafford came down under escort
and gaped at us.

"Who the hell-"

"You engaged my services to recover your stamp," Escott reminded him.

Swafford squinted, trying to peer through the disguise. "Escott?"

"And my assistant, Mr. Fleming."