"Eric Nylund - Paladin Blake and The Secret City" - читать интересную книгу автора (Nylund Eric)

"That aftertaste you so like," Paladin said quickly, "we that get from burning Aspen saplings.
Tricky, because you have to get it close enough for the smoke to settle into the liquor, but
not close enough to ignite the stuff. Then, we age it for three months in oak barrels. Let it
breathe for a few minutes before you drink some, and you'll smell and taste it."

The bartender considered this, looked at the bottle, and then back to Paladin. "Indeed?" He
set the bottle back on the bar top, then took Paladin's hand. "It is an honor to meet you," he
said with the utmost sincerity. "I am Jacques Apollonaire."

"The pleasure's mine, Jack." Paladin held on to his hand and gripped it tighter. "Especially if
it's like you say and we can get twenty-five francs a bottle."

Jacques smiled a little uneasily and he slipped his hand from Paladin's.

"That's why I'm here," Paladin said. "I need help moving this stuff. I'm not fool enough to
bust my way into someone else's territory. I figure there's got to be someone running things
here. Someone who can protect, distribute, and export whatever I bring in."

"I see." Jacques plucked at the tips of his moustache.

"I keep hearing one name," Paladin said, struggling to keep his voice even. "Some guy
named 'Derspins' or something. Ever hear of him?"

Jacques stopped fiddling with his moustache. He cast a furtive glance about his empty bar,
then whispered, "Monsieur, I fear you've been somewhat misinformed. This 'Derspins' is not
a man. It is Die Spinne, a rather...formidable business venture. These people would not
handle a mere bottle, or even a case or ten cases. They deal in quantity."

"How about three hundred cases?"

Jacques whistled appreciatively.

"And if you're going to be my middleman, I'll cut you in on a percentage. Provided, of
course, that we have a deal?"

Jacques considered this for a long time. He wrung his hands, then set his sweaty palms on
the bar top. "I can arrange a meeting...if you can deliver the goods to New Orleans from
Free Colorado. That will be no small task."

"If it was easy," Paladin replied, "there'd be no profit in it, no?"

Jacques nodded knowingly.

Where would Paladin scare up three hundred cases of whiskey? And how the heck was he
going to get it through Texas? Impossible. But he had to. It might be the only way to find
Flora.

Paladin finished his coffee and stood. "I better get busy, friend. I'll be at Pontchartrain
Aerodrome with the stuff in one week. Guaranteed."