"Kate Wilhelm - Day Of The Sharks" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wilhelm Kate)

and caterers. The sliding doors to the terrace have been open all evening.
Gary wanders back outside where he sits down at a wrought-iron table. His head
is buzzing, not unpleasantly, and there is a lightness in his legs and arms,
also not unpleasant. He watches a sinuous woman work her way through a cluster
of people to approach his table with evident purpose.

"I'm Audrey Scanlon," she says, and sits down after pulling a tiny chair very
close to his. "You're Gary, aren't you?"

He nods.

"Perhaps you'd like to help us launch our boat Sunday," she says. She does not
touch him, but he has the feeling that she is all over him.

"No way," Shar says coolly, suddenly at Gary's side. "He's ours until Monday
morning; aren't you, Gary, darling?"

Audrey stands up. "Maybe we'll see you in Grand Bahama," she whispers and now
she does touch him. Her hand lingers a moment on his arm, and when she moves
away, she doesn't lift it, but lets her fingers trail over his skin very
lightly.

"Bitch," Shar says, when she is gone.

"No doubt, they just happen to have this little company that they would love
to have recommended to prospective buyers." He sounds bitter even to his ears.
Shar pats his arm. Someone calls her and she leaves him.

Soon Veronica returns from the dock; her eyes are shining. "I've been
propositioned, I think."

"Scanlon?"

She nods. She looks very happy.

"His wife just did the same with me. They must be fresh in from the swamps."

"Don't make it sound like that," Veronica cries. "Maybe he just found me
attractive! Wouldn't it occur to you that someone else might still find me
attractive?"

"He wants me to list his company," Gary says. "And he has as much finesse
about it as a hippo humping a hippo."

"I wouldn't have done it." Her face twitches and settles into the newly
familiar rigid lines. "I wouldn't have done anything," she says woodenly. "Why
couldn't you let me have my little fantasy?"
"You should go to bed. You're so tired, you're ready to keel over."

She walks away unsteadily.