"Wilson, F Paul - adversary 2 - The Tomb" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wilson F. Paul)

two of his private James Whale Festival.
A glance out the window revealed the usual vista of sandy shore, still blue
ocean, and supine sunbathers. He was tired of the view. Especially since some of
the bricks had started showing through. It had been three years since he'd had
the scene painted on the blank wall facing the windows of this and the other
bedroom. Long enough. The beach scene no longer interested him. Perhaps a rain
forest mural would be better. With lots of birds and reptiles and animals hiding
in the foliage. YesЕ a rain forest. He filed the thought away. He'd have to keep
an eye out for someone who could do the job justice.
The phone began ringing in the front room. Who could that be? He'd changed his
number a couple of months ago. Only a few people had it. He didn't bother to
lift the receiver. The answerphone would take care of that. He heard a click,
heard his own voice start his standard salutation:
"Pinocchio ProductionsЕ I'm not in right now, but if you'llЧ"
A woman's voice broke in over his own, her tone impatient. "Pick up if you're
there, Jack. Otherwise I'll call back later."
Gia!
Jack nearly tripped over his own feet in his haste to reach the phone. He turned
off the answerphone with one hand and picked up the receiver with the other.
"Gia? That you?"
"Yes, it's me." Her voice was flat, almost resentful.
"God! It's been a long time!" Two months. Forever. He had to sit down. "I'm so
glad you called."
"It's not what you think, Jack."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not calling for myself. If it were up to me I wouldn't be calling at all.
But Nellie asked me to."
His jubilation faded but he kept talking. "Who's Nellie?" He drew a blank on the
name.
"Nellie Paton. You must remember Nellie and GraceЧthe two English ladies?"
"Oh, yeah. How could I forget? They introduced us."
"I've managed to forgive them."
Jack let that go by without comment. "What's the problem?"
"Grace has disappeared. She hasn't been seen since she went to bed Monday
night."
He remembered Grace Westphalen: a very prim and proper Englishwoman pushing
seventy. Not the eloping sort.
"Have the policeЧ?"
"Of course. But Nellie wanted me to call you to see if you'd help. So I'm
calling."
"Does she want me to come over?"
"Yes. If you will."
"Will you be there?"
She gave an exasperated sigh. "Yes. Are you coming or not?"
"I'm on my way."
"Better wait. The patrolmen who were here said a detective from the department
would be coming by this morning."
"Oh." That wasn't good.
"I thought that might slow you up."
She didn't have to sound so smug about it. "I'll be there after lunch."