"Thomas F. Monteleone - The Secret Sea" - читать интересную книгу автора (Monteleone Thomas F)

"Can I help you?" intoned a flat, slightly sinusited voice.

"Yes, operator. This is Doctor Alexander, extension 6544___I'd like to
make a long distance call please."

"Is this university business, Doctor?" They always asked that.

"Certainly," I said.

"Where do you want to call?"

"Brattleboro, Vermont. The Peraclean Textbook Company." English
professors are notorious callers of textbook publishers.

"All right, Doctor, you have an outside line now."

There was a click and a familiar drone in the receiver before I could
mutter a thank-you.

I dialed Fairly's number and heard it answered on the first ring.

"James Fairly," said a young voice.

"Mr. Fairly, this is Bryan AlexanderтАж I received your letter this
morning."

"Good morning, Doctor Alexander. Before I go on, let me express my
sincerest condolencesтАж"

"Oh that's all right, I didn't even know that Agatha was dead till I got
your letter," I said quickly. "And please, don't call me 'Doctor,' makes me
feel like an old fart, if you know what I mean. Bryan's fine."

There was a pause. Fairly cleared his throat. I reached into my pocket
and pulled out my Carltons, lit one, waited.

"Oh, I see. I'm sorry that I was the one to convey the bad news. I must
admit that I was curious as to your absence at the funeral."

"I'm surprised that Agatha had one. She always said she loathed them.
I don't care for them either. Too ritualistic for me. I probably wouldn't
have gone even if I had known about hers." I exhaled slowly.

"Oh, I seeтАж" Mr. Fairly let his voice tail off, obviously thinking.

"Well, anyway," I said. "You wanted to talk to me about her estate,
right?"

"Oh yes, of course." There was sound of papers rattling near the phone.