and along came SPIDER ( A Martina Spalding Thriller ) (Spider Series Book 1) Read Free Page B

on
the way out of the hotel.
    “Not at all.  In fact,
when I came across that bridge yesterday, it was the first time I’d ever been
out of the state of Illinois.  How’s that for being a homebody?” Marti laughed.
    “Then you’re a
greenhorn.  Around here they call new arrivals greenhorns.  I’ve been here five
years and they’re still calling me that.”
    “Wow!” Martina doubled
back.  “Gee, I don’t know if I appreciate being labeled a…  Where does that
come from?”
    “Well, you know, St.
Louis has a very historical past.  I suppose it came from early travelers, who
passed through here on their way west.  Many were inexperienced in the survival
skills needed to make it out there in the wild.”
    “How many years ago was
that?”
    “Louis and Clark left
out from here on their expedition.  I guess that was about a hundred and fifty
years ago.  And, believe me, a lot of the people here are still rooted in the
past.  Some even protective of it.  They don’t mind pointing it out when a person
is an outsider, and do it at every opportunity.”
    “Oh, my!”
    “But I like it here. 
It’s a great place to live, otherwise.  There’s always something going on. 
Lots of celebrations.”  Gloria smiled over at her as they walked.
    “You know Gloria, after
what you just told me, maybe I should move on.  I mean, I kind of have my heart
set on settling in a place a bit more welcoming.  If the people here are that
way…”
    “How were the people
where you came from?” Gloria asked.
    “Sonsofbitches…
mostly.”  Marti laughed.
    “Well, if you’re
looking for paradise, Martina, I’m afraid you may be looking for a while
longer.  At least I haven’t found it yet… and I’ve traveled extensively.”
    Entering a place called
Hannity’s, Gloria led the way past the packed bar to an empty booth in the
back, next to an area where a pool table sat, at the very rear.  Looking
around, Marti noticed the place was very old, but charming in a way, with all
the wood and marble everywhere.  A waiter came up behind as they seated
themselves. 
    “Grog or grub?” he
bellowed out.  “Weenie or martini?”
    With that Gloria smiled
at the short, white haired man, dressed in a green polo shirt with a white
apron tied about his waist.  “The weenie sounds inviting, but I’ll take the
martini for now, extra wet, Lenny.”
    “Oh, Gloria, honey you
always know how to wind up my tired old clock,” the old man remarked.  “And
you, sweetie?” he focused on Martina.
    “Just a glass of wine. 
Something red.”
    “Cabernet, Merlot, or
Bordeaux?”
    “The Merlot, please,”
Marti said, smiling up at him.  She then noticed his twinkling blue eyes,
nestled among a road map of wrinkles that surrounded them.
    “Lenny, this is
Martina,” Gloria made the introduction to her friend of five years. 
    “Martina!  Beautiful
name for a lovely lady,” Lenny smiled down on her.
    “I bet you say that to
all the girls.”  Marti laughed, her eyes crinkling as they often did when she
was amused.
    “He does,” Gloria
confirmed and watched Lenny shuffle away.  “I don’t know what I would have done
without that man’s shoulder to cry on, when I first came here… fresh from a
divorce, new town, new job.  Lenny was a real lifesaver.”
    Marti glanced to Lenny,
working behind the bar… then refocused on Gloria.  “It was good you found him
then.  It’s none of my business, but how old are you Gloria?  I mean, you said
you’d been here five years.  You don’t look old enough to have gone through
college, gotten married… and… well you don’t look a day over thirty.”
    “Thanks for the
compliment.  But I’m thirty-eight.”
    “You don’t look it.  So
did you ever marry again?”
    “Twice,” Gloria laughed
heartily, her green eyes glistening.  “You know what they say, the more you do
it, the easier it gets.”
    “So you’re single now?”
    “Very! That may be it
for me… at