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

much."

"You wired me because you think I can get her out?"

"You've got the guns and the men to go in there. Hell, you did it when you were in the
Pinkertons-for strangers. You should be able to do the same for your own flesh and blood."

"Working with the Pinks was different," Paladin said. "I did all the wrong things for the right
reasons. And, it was a long time ago."

"Well, there's another reason it's got to be you. If I get Flora out, then what? How do I tell
her to clean up? I'm no angel. She'd laugh in my face and have every right to do it."
Matthew drank his shot of bourbon. "But you're squeaky clean, a businessman. Hell, you're
a hero if you believe the newspapers. She'll listen to you."

He was right-it had to be Paladin. Matthew would use a sledgehammer when a light touch
was needed. He'd go in with guns blazing and get everyone killed. Paladin knew the odds
that he could convince Flora to change her ways were long, but there was another way to
help her. Dasheill had connections with a hospital in Santa Barbara that dried out studio
starlets. That might do the trick.
"I'll see what I can do." Paladin stood. "Thanks for telling me, Matt."

"I knew you'd do it." Matthew stood, too, and held out his hand.

Paladin stared at it. He wanted to reach out and clasp it. He tried to move his arm, but it
might as well have been made of lead. Matthew was his brother, his blood, but he was also
everything that Paladin had sworn to fight.

"There's one last piece of business between us, Matthew. You're coming back with me.
You're wanted in Hollywood, Texas, and a dozen other places for larceny, theft, murder-take
your pick."

Matthew retracted his outstretched hand. He looked his bother up and down, then laughed.
"You think you can take me? With five of my crew to back me up? You're a hoot, little
brother."

How fast could Matthew draw his gun with a quarter bottle of bourbon in him? Probably too
quick for Paladin's liking.

"I mean it, Matthew. You come with me now, the easy way...or later, the hard way."

Matthew's smile vanished. "Get out of here. Get out of here and get Flora-or don't. I don't
care anymore."

"Everything okay, boss?" Matthew's crew stood silhouetted in the frame of the back door.

"Get back inside," he growled at them. "This is none of your businesses."

Matthew then turned back to Paladin and whispered, "If I ever see you again, on the ground
or in the sky, I'll kill you. Brother or no brother."