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

the way he twisted around to take in all the gorgeous details. One of these days
he'd do it too fast and break his neck. He was dressed with an East Coast polish
more suited to Boston than New York, which in Chicago made him stand out like a
traffic light in a wheat field. Some people claimed to be blinded by the shine
on his shoes.
He wore a patient, somewhat amused expression as I came into view. I nodded once
at Gordy and kept my mouth shut until I figured out what was going on.
Gordy nearly always avoided involving me directly with mob business. He knew I
preferred to remain on the outside. He rarely talked about the seamier things he
had to do to stay on top, though if I asked a question he'd give a straight
answer. If there was anything really dirty going on here he'd have kept me
waiting in the office until he was finished. All I could pick up for the moment
was that this was something he wanted me to see.
Muldan took me in with a glance, then went back to Gordy, having apparently
dismissed me as a threat. Maybe he'd have been more impressed if I'd shaved.
Gordy didn't bother with introductions, just made a nod to me in return before
putting his attention on Muldan. "It would be better for you to lay off," he
said in a slow, measured tone. He sounded patient, but firm. "For you and
everyone else."
Muldan shrugged. "Not my decision. The girl likes me, and I'm not going to argue
with her good taste."
"You should take a vacation. Havana is very nice this time of year."
"Too hot."
"Cooler than here. Her fatherЧ"
"Doesn't matter. She wants to see me, so I'll see her right back."
"That would be a very bad thing. For you."
"Or what? Her father has me scragged? That can't happen, and you and he both
know it. I'm too important."
"Royce, you are making difficulties. Make too many of them and anything can
happen. Even to important guys. And you know it."
"By the time things get to that point she'll be tired of me and looking at
someone else. It's not my fault her father can't control her. Look, I'm just
going along for the ride. Tell her old man to step back, let her sow her oats,
and he won't have any more trouble with her."
Gordy heaved a great, gentle sigh. The sigh of a man about to do an unpleasant,
but necessary task. "I'm sorry you won't listen."
Maybe I'd never been on stage like Escott, but I recognized a cue line when I
heard one. "Want me to do something with him?"
Muldan gave me a contempt-tinged "what's it to you" look, on guard, ready to
meet my challenge.
Gordy said, "Only if you don't mind. I'm thinking this guy needs to take a nap."
I smiled, briefly. "Then have your guys take a break."
He signed to the other mugs hanging around in the background, and they silently
moved off. He knew I never cared to have witnesses for certain kinds of work.
Muldan was aware something was up, but his mind would be running along ordinary
lines, anticipating ordinary threats. He stood up a little straighter and
loosened the buttons on his coat. It was finely tailored, but not to the point
where it could completely conceal his shoulder holster. "Just what do you think
you're doing, Gordy? Have you forgotten who I am?"
"Nope, but you are not being smart about this. You are making a problem. Though