"Barbara Karmazin - Blackbird 2 - Out of the Dark" - читать интересную книгу автора (Karmazin Barbara)

wouldn't listen. She'd pat me on the arm and say, 'Don't worry, no one's going to mug a bag lady.'тАЬ

Indio suppressed a sigh and seated himself. This was a waste of time.Rachel's daughter didn't know a
damn thing about Cait or her whereabouts.

Esther wrung her hands. тАЬMy mother wasn't crazy, you know, just a bit eccentric. She used to be
private investigator but she retired over twenty years ago.тАЭ

He cleared his throat. тАЬDo you have any of her personal effects?тАЭ
Esther's face lit up with eagerness to please him. тАЬI have her sofscreen. I'll get it for you,тАЭ she said, then
walked off before he could stop her.

He shrugged. It made her feel helpful and the files embedded in the sofscreen might contain crucial clues.
Researching them was a tedious but necessary process in any investigation.

Socorro sat down on the stool beside him and put her hand on his knee. тАЬDaddy,тАЭ she said, тАЬI've been
thinking.тАЭ

He waited for her to continue.

тАЬThe first time you met Cait, was she real quiet and standoffish like her Aunt Lily was yesterday?тАЭ

He stared at her, then grinned. Pretty smart daughter he had there. тАЬYes, she was; I liked that. It meant
she'd be a good student and pay attention to her flying lessons.тАЭ

Socorro picked up one of her braids and twirled it round her fingers. тАЬCait wanted me to meet the rest
of her family. She said they might seem cold at first 'cause they have to hide who they are from other
people. When Grandpa comes here tonight, I'm going to ask him to take me to visit them in North
Carolina. That way you won't have to worry about me while you look for Cait.тАЭ

Esther chose that moment to return with a sofscreen and a handful of coded computer chips. тАЬIs there
anything else I can do to help?тАЭ

Indio glanced across the room at the two men standing beside Tiny.

Socorro jumped to her feet and twisted the hem of her dress in her hand. тАЬI have to use the ladies
room.тАЭ

тАЬWhy, of course, dear. It's right over here.тАЭ Esther placed her hand on Socorro's shoulder and guided
her away.

Indio rubbed his chin. Socorro had read him like a book and handled Esther like she'd been a special
operative all her life. He stood up and made his way over to Tiny. No sense in wasting the opportunity
she'd given him.

****

Jesse twirled the holocube in his fingers and peered at Cait's image. The casual move of his arm made
the tattoos ripple across his skin as if they were alive. тАЬI'd like to help you, man, but I've never seen this
woman before. The last time I saw Rachel she was with two Muslim women wearing chadors. One of