"Carl Hiaasen - Hoot" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hiaasen Carl)"I think somebody just let the air out," he said.
Curly muttered a reply that was difficult to hear. "I'll make a report, anyway," the policeman promised. "How about this?" Curly said. "How about you put some extra patrols around here?" "I'll speak to my sergeant." "You do that," Curly grumbled. "I got some people I can speak to myself. This is gettin' ridiculous." "Yes, sir." Officer Delinko noticed that three portable latrines were strapped on the back of the flatbed truck. He caught himself smiling at the name painted on the blue doors: TRAVELIN' JOHNNY. "For the construction crew," Curly explained, "for when we get this project started. If we ever get started." "Did you check 'em out?" asked the policeman. Curly frowned. "The Johns? What for?" "You never know." "Nobody in their right mind's gonna fool around with a toilet." The foreman snorted. "Can I have a look?" Officer Delinko asked. "Be my guest." The policeman climbed up on the bed of the truck. From the outside, the portable latrines appeared untouched. The cargo straps were cinched tight, and the doors to all three units were closed. Officer Delinko opened one and peeked his head inside. The stall smelled heavily of disinfectant. "Well?" Curly called up to him. "Truth is, there ain't much to wreck on a port-a-potty." "I suppose not." Officer Delinko was about to shut the door when he heard a muffled noiseЧwas it a splash? The policeman stared uneasily at the blackness beneath the plastic seat. Ten seconds passed; then he heard it again. Definitely a splash. "What're you doin' up there?" Curly demanded. "Listening," replied Officer Delinko. "Listenin' to what?" Officer Delinko undipped the flashlight from his belt. Edging forward, he aimed the light down the toilet hole. Curly heard a cry and watched in surprise as the policeman burst from the doorway of the latrine, leaping off the flatbed like an Olympic hurdler. What now? the foreman wondered unhappily. Officer Delinko picked himself off the ground and smoothed the front of his uniform. He retrieved his flashlight and tested it to make sure the bulb wasn't broken. Curly handed him his hat, which had come to rest near an owl burrow. "So. Let's hear it," the foreman said. The policeman nodded grimly. "Alligators," he declared. "You're kiddin' me." "I wish I was," said Officer Delinko. "They put alligators in your potties, sir. Real live alligators." "More than one?" "Yes, sir." |
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