"Дон Пендлтон. Chicago Wipe-Out ("Палач" #8) " - читать интересную книгу автораactresses. Sure, Bolan and several million other Vietnam veterans knew about
the Foxy Ladies. Their centerfold artwork had adorned every barracks, tent and vehicle in Southeast Asia. This one had bent toward the ashtray to crush out the cigarette. The topcoat fell away from her. She sighed and let it remain where it fell. The limited airspace of the Ferrari cabin was beginning to heat up. She neatly folded the coat and arranged it over the backrest. Then she repositioned herself to face Bolan and drew one leg onto the seat. Bolan cooly inspected the display of living flesh, then directed his eyes to the business of piloting the vehicle. "What you see is what you don't get," she told him in a matter-of-fact tone, paraphrasing a famous black comedian. "That's the house rule at the Lair . It's an exercise in male frustration, I guess." "What are the house rules for Mafia molls?" he quietly inquired. The blue eyes flared but the reply was just as quiet. "Believe it or not, this was my first time at that place. I knew what Mr. Aurielli was, of course. But you have to understand... in this town, that's almost a mark of distinction. There was nothing personal between us. I'd just met him this afternoon." Bolan was watching for roadsigns, trying to orient himself. Almost absently, he commented, "Okay." "It was an assignment," she explained. "It's in our contract. We get outside assignments. Not uh... not what you might be thinking." "Uh huh." "It's a public relations thing. The Foxy Ladies often make appearances that way." Her eyes flashed down to the costume. "If that's possible." Bolan said, "Okay." "Do you want to hear this or don't you?" "I'm listening," he assured her. He was also trying to find his place on a map of the city. "Mr. Aurielli is - was - a keyholder. Do you think I'd go on a date dressed like this? In the middle of the afternoon? I was out there to serve a special meeting. Mr. Aurielli called it a board meeting. But I didn't see any other board members present, and I was already beginning to smell a rat when the shooting started. This man, the bartender I guess, had just taken my coat and was headed off somewhere to put it away. When the first shot sounded, he ran toward the back of the house. I went to the window, and by that time the shots were coming one after another and I saw Mr. Aurielli and two other men lying in the drive. I guess I panicked. I ran outside... and then I saw the men upstairs shooting at the place next door. Then the car caught fire and blew up. I heard someone yell something about Bolan - and that's when I started running. I don't know why I ran to you. I guess I just suddenly realized where I needed to be." Bolan glanced at her and caught a wry smile pulling at her lips. "My suspicious and romantic mind, I guess," she continued. "I had suddenly understood that I was practically alone with that... that terrible man - and in some sort of a hideout. So I had already begun to panic. And I guess I thought Prince Charming had come to rescue me from my awful fate. I don't know what I thought. I just lost my head. And I ran for the arms of Prince |
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