"Jane M. Lindskold - A Touch of Poison" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lindskold Jane)

"Thus the almond pastry!" Reid exclaimed. "I wondered why you had chosen something so out of season,
but not enough to pause rather than enjoy your fine cooking."

Adalia smiled at his compliment.

"If you wish to take care over what you eat during the dayтАФjust in case your enemies have other agents,"
she stated, "stay away from heavily spiced foods, especially stews or chowders. Claim a desire for
freshly caught fish, lightly grilled."

"With new potatoes simply boiled," he added, getting into the spirit, "and perhaps a peach for dessert.
Yes, I can do that. And you?"

"I shall await the promised opportunity to see my son and assure myself of his safety. Perhaps I can gain
some idea of who has bought the assassins' services."

She frowned thoughtfully. "If you can spare me someone you trust, it would be wisest if I were shadowed
to that meetingтАФfor I assume there will be a meeting since they told me I should be shown Jori and
assured of his safety."

"That could be arranged," Reid replied.

"A shadow could see who comes to speak with me and follow that person or persons to their lair, thus
granting us some clue to their identity."

"You have thought of everything."

"I didn't sleep much last night," she replied, and Reid could see the dark circles under her blue eyes, "and
I have had much time to think."
"Many womenтАФor menтАФwould have panicked and fallen to weeping."

"Jori," came the emotionless reply that was somehow deeply charged with feeling, "is all I have to love
now that my husband is dead. I cannot save him by losing my head."

"I see."

The Supreme Affluent nodded, already shifting through the ranks of his enemies, trying to decide who
might be behind this murderous attempt.

"I shall do my part," he said, "and so discharge my debt to you, Widow Baker."

She smiled a touch wanly and turned as if to go.

"Then all that is left is that I prepare something appropriate for tonight's dessert."

Supreme Affluent Reid considered those details that would concern him, tapping his finger against his
lower lip.

"If I am to carry off my performance," he said, stopping her in mid-retreat, "I will need to take a few
people into my confidenceтАФmy physician, I thinkтАФand my steward, perhaps someone to shadow you.
Are you certain you can manage this 'poisoning' for tonight? I had planned on guests and they must not