"Laurell K. Hamilton - A Clean Sweep" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hamilton Laurell K)

A Clean Sweep
Laurell K. Hamilton

It's been said that familiarity breeds contempt. How long can even the extraordinary retain its novelty in
an everyday world?

Captain Housework materialized on the doorstep of #11 Pear Tree Lane. His emergency beeper had
awakened him, code red. Was it his nemesis Dr. Grime, or the infamous Dust Bunny Gang, or perhaps
Pond Scum, the destroyer of bathrooms?

He had to levitate to reach the doorbell. As crimefighters go, Captain Housework was on the short side.
His white coveralls, silver cape, and maskтАФformed of a billed cap with eye holesтАФwere gleam-ingly
clean. He stood on the top step shining as if carved from ivory and silver.

He looked perfect, crisp, and clean. And he liked it that way.

The door opened, and a woman dressed in a bathrobe stared down at him. "Oh, it's you. Please come
in." She held the door for him, waving him in eagerly.

He stared up at her, a grim smile on his face. "And what dastardly villain is plaguing your home, dear
lady.."

She blinked at him. "Dastardly villain?" She gave a small laugh. "Oh, no, it's nothing like that. My husband
made the call.
Did he say we had a supervillain in the house?"

Captain Housework drew himself up to his full three feet and said, "It was a code red, Madam. That
means a supervillain has been spotted."

The woman laughed again. "Oh, dear, no. I've got a party of twelve people coming at six o'clock and my
maid cancelled."

"You called the superhero hotline because your maid cancelled." His voice had a harsh edge to it that the
woman didn't seem
to notice.

"Well, my friend Betty had you over when her kids threw that wild party. You did miracles with her
house."

"I remember the incident. I made it clear that it was an exception to the rules that I aided her."

"But you've just got to help me, Captain Housework." The woman went to her knees, gripping his arms.
"Please, it's too late
to turn to anyone else." Tears glittered in her eyes.

Captain Housework crossed his arms across his thin chest, his mouth set in a firm line. "Madam, I am a
superhero, not a maid. I do not think you realize how terrible my foes can be. Have you ever had a wave
of black mildew engulf your husband and
eat him to the bone before your eyes?"