"Elrod, P N - Vampire Files 09 - Lady Crymsyn E-Txt" - читать интересную книгу автора (Elrod P N)

before she sends out a search party. Those guys said we wasn't to go poking
around over there tomorrow, so you got something else you want us to do
instead?"
I told him he could start the men on finishing the near half of the basement
once they got the okay from Blair's people. Tools and bags of cement and wall
plaster were piled up under the new stairs all ready to go.
"There's also some kind of stain on the floor tiles behind the lobby bar," I
added. "See if you can get that cleaned up, too."
He promised to handle it all, then with his new observations about the mortar,
reluctantly approached Blair. I wondered if I should offer Leon a permanent
position doing building maintenance. He seemed to know how to do just about
every kind of job I could name. The fact that he was concerned about my
misinterpreting things on the overtime gave me to think he had a solid share of
personal integrity, that, or he didn't want to risk being fired. Either way, it
meant he was honest. I thought he worried too much about small stuff, but it did
make him good at the work. There wasn't one wall in the whole building where the
painters had missed a spot.
Leon eventually left by way of the back entry ramp, and I followed him up,
lighting a cigarette. I couldn't really smoke; my body wouldn't allow me to
inhale the stuff any farther than my mouth, but it gave me something to do with
my hands, as well as an excuse to loiter in the alley, keeping an eye on the
cops.
After six superficial puffs it abruptly dawned on me that this was my place, and
I could loiter wherever the hell I wanted.
Damn it all, but I should be used to the idea by now. I finally had something of
my own, something that would matter to people. It was also okay to have pride in
what I was accomplishing. Maybe it wasn't the Panama Canal in terms of general
importance to the world, but to me specifically this club was the biggest thing
I'd ever done for myself.
Not needing it anymore, I dropped the cigarette in a puddle and took a slow
stroll around my place, and if there was a bit of a swagger in my walk, I didn't
think anyone could blame me for it.
The feeling lasted until I rounded the front corner, saw the cars still parked
all over the street along with the meat wagon, and remembered why they were
there.
As Blair had said, That poor girl.
Maybe Leon had felt her hovering presence, and that's why the joint gave him the
creeps tonight. I could imagine her for myself as well, but firmly shrugged it
off. I had to believe in vampires since I was one, but my internal jury was
still out when it came to ghosts.
"So that's where you've gotten to," called Escott, coming up behind me.
"I could say the same. Where've you been?"
"Observing without being observed." It was one of his specialties. He swatted at
his clothes, having picked up a layer of sawdust. There were patches of it on
his knees and elbows.
"What happened to you?"
"I found a most excellent place to eavesdrop, though it was a trifle dirty."
"Where?"
"Under the booth seating."
If I asked another question, I'd only sound like a parrot. Instead I put on a