"Robert Reed - To Church With Mr. Multhiford" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reed Robert)

"What were you boys doing? Why'd you hurt my corn that way?"

I swallowed, stood. Trying to talk, I discovered that my voice had abandoned me.

"What were you doing in my field, John?"

"I don't know," I whispered. "I mean, I didn't hurt much.... "

"Didn't you?" He stepped closer, the glare of his light hiding his face. But I
could see him by memory, the face lean and hard and red from the sun, crazy eyes
burning in the middle of it. I could smell him, his earth and corn mixed
together with his unwashed bachelorhood. First with his light, then his gun, he
pointed off into the distance. "Why don't we walk to the road, John? You can
lead. And please, don't hurt my corn anymore."

My legs felt heavy, mired in an invisible syrup.

The madman stayed behind me. "What would your father think if he knew you were
here? Would he be proud of you?"

I tried to come up with something smart to say, but the best I could do was
squeak, "Probably not."

"Maybe we should go tell him."

My legs stopped moving. For that instant, I'd rather have been shot dead than
have Dad know what had happened.

"Let's make a deal," said Multhiford. "I won't press charges. I won't even
mention this to anyone. We'll settle up tonight, and you'll be free and clear."

That sounded wonderful, for about two seconds. Then I imagined all kinds of
debt-settling horrors, and I started walking again, breathing faster, picking up
my pace.

"Like how?" I muttered.

"You can do some work for me."

"Tonight?"

"You don't look busy," he replied, his voice smiling. I could hear the smile in
it, which made me angry. He was holding a gun at my back and feeling happy,
which wasn't fair. "I need some heavy things moved, John, and I'd appreciate the
help."
"My friends know I'm here," I blurted out. "If anything happens... "

"I understand." He didn't sound crazy. He sounded as if he genuinely understood
everything, as if he was full of wisdom. Coming up beside me, walking on the
other side of a green wall of cornstalks, he promised, "I'll have you home in