"Elrod, P N - Vampire Files 05 - Fire In The Blood E-Txt" - читать интересную книгу автора (Elrod P N)

She was ready to question that, but let me lead her back into the lobby. I kept
a loose hold on her arm, as though to steady her. She unsuccessfully tried to
shake my grip.
"You lug," she grumbled. I didn't argue with her.
Escott was just coming down the stairs. I nodded at him and he joined us,
politely removing his hat when I introduced Kitty Donovan to him.
"A pleasure," he said, bowing a little. She didn't expect his accent or such a
high polish on his manners; neither of them went with the neighborhood.
"What's this about?" she asked.
"We're friends of Stan and we're looking for him," I said.
Her lips curled in cynical disbelief. "I'll just bet you are."
Escott stepped in. "He was at the Top Hat Club earlier tonight, do you know
where he might be now?"
Eyes guarded, she shook her head. I was pretty sure she was telling the truth,
but Escott wasn't satisfied. He cocked an eyebrow, indicating a lounge area off
the lobby. It was just slightly more private and out of immediate line of sight
from the door. We walked her in. I sat next to her on a couch and Escott took a
chair in front of us.
She was scared now and trying not to show it. "Listen, if you are Stan's
friends, he won't like what you're doing."
"We're doing nothing. Miss Donovan, only waiting until such time as Mr.
McAlister returns."
"He's not here. I was just up in his room, see?"
"Perhaps I do. I think you have us mixed up with two other fellows. My word of
honor, we are not working for Leadfoot Sam."
"Leadfoot Sam?" I echoed.
"Mr. McAlister's annoyed bookie. I believe he earned his colorful appellation
due to his driving style during Prohibition."
Kitty was all anxious attention. "What about Leadfoot?"
Escott tried a reassuring smile that she wasn't interested in. "Nothing about
himЧat least as far as I'm concerned. We are not his agents."
"Then who are you working for?"
He pulled out his investigator's license and she studied it for a longtime.
"We're on an errand unconnected to Stan McAlister's debts and only wish to
obtain some information from him."
"I'm sorry, but I can't help you, and I really have to go now." She started to
stand, but I gently pulled her back.
"We require but a few minutes of your time," he continued.
"But I don't want to be here. Now, let me go or I'll scream the house down."
"KittyЕ" First I got her full attention, then stepped up the pressure. Her eyes
seemed to get bigger and bluer as I held them with my own. She was on her way to
slipping under when the entry door opened and a dapper-looking guy with straw
blond hair walked in. He distracted me and, worst of all, he distracted Kitty.
Her eyes shifted over and she gave out with a little gasp, then drew breath for
a full shout.
"Run, Stan! They're after you!"
He whirled in a flash and was out the door before she finished. Escott charged
after him and I started to move, but Kitty made a tackling dive for my legs. She
was tiny, but more than enough to trip me. I crashed backward into a chair and
flipped up and over, feet flying in a clumsy somersault. The floor was wood and