"Robert Reed - The Myrtle Man" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reed Robert)

ROBERT REED

THE MYRTLE MAN

He had a pleasant face, in a reliable, unhandsome way, and his warm brown eyes
and easy smile made Amy want to believe the best in him. His name was Jacob
Tumbull, the crisp brown uniform and two IDs proving that he came from the
library dealership. Gazing at the camera above the sealed front door, he said,
"You have myrtle problems, as I understand it." He lowered his passport, then
brightened his smile. "Something about John Wayne riding into battle on a
fire-breathing dragon. Is that right, Ms. Taylor?"

"Oh," she exclaimed, "it's a lot more than that."

Referring to the reader on his belt, he laughed and said, "And something about
the shape of the world, too."

"It's round," she blurted.

"Yes, ma'am. I know."

Amy said, "But my son doesn't. Our library taught him it's like an apple. You
know, with holes at both ends."

"It's a common myrtle, ma'am."

"Can you help me?" Did she sound anxious? Vulnerable? Or just crazy?

Crazy would be the worst, she believed. "I don't dare let him read or watch
anything. I mean, he's a boy. He doesn't understand --"

"Yes, ma'am."

"The library is lying to him!"

"Ms. Taylor," he said, "I want to help. But first, I need to examine your
equipment and determine the extent of your trouble."

"'A purge and refill job.' That's what I was told to expect."

"Eventually, yes." He sighed, shrugging his shoulders. "But first I need to
check the hardware, then I'll have to protect all the files that belong to you
and your family. A general purge would erase them."

She said, "Fine."

She said, "I understand," without meaning it. A long truck was parked at the
curb, and she focused on its license, jotting down the number because she
didn't
trust her library to record this critical detail. Then she touched a button,