Book 09 - Faded Steel Heat Read Free Page A

That suggested Alyx was being as
forthright as she knew how.
    “Yes. But Mr. Heldermach and Mr. Klees are still in
charge.”
    “Of course.” Because Ty Weider is no brewmaster and
not much of an executive. Because nobody at the brewery likes Ty.
Because Heldermach and Klees are more than Weider employees. They
are more nearly junior partners. Their investment in the brewery is
skill and knowledge. Both operated their own breweries before
consolidating with Weider.
    The Weider empire isn’t just the big brewery downtown,
it’s a combine of smaller places scattered throughout the
city. Most were struggling when Weider took over and rooted out the
inefficiencies and bad brewing policies that kept them from
prospering.
    The best brewmasters and best recipes stayed on.
    “Mr. Heldermach and Mr. Klees were there when The Call
talked to Ty.”
    “They were?” I glanced at the Dead Man. He did not
contradict Alyx.
    Surprise, surprise. The moment she’d mentioned Ty as
interlocuter I set a new conclusion-jumping distance record,
figuring Ty for trying to scam his own dad.
    I’m convinced Ty was at least marginally involved in the
skimming operation whose breakup endeared me to Old Man Weider back
when. That involved barrels of beer vanishing into thin air and
becoming pure profit for those enterprising characters who used
that method to reduce overhead in the tavern business. I spent
months posing as a worker to unearth what I had. I never nailed Ty.
What evidence I did find was all circumstantial and could have been
explained away as easily by stupidity and gullibility as by evil
intent. I never mentioned him to his father—which, maybe, was
one of the services Weider had expected.
    Whatever Ty’s role, I closed the brewery’s bleeding
belly wound without any scandal. And I’ve kept the stitches
from tearing loose again. For which the old man has been more than
necessarily grateful. He’s kept me on that retainer ever
since and even sends the occasional lonely keg of Reserve Dark over
to spend the holidays.
    Though the Dead Man would have explored any thoughts in the area
already, I asked, “What do you think about Ty,
Alex?”
    “I try to make allowances. We all do. Because of his
leg.” She wouldn’t look me in the eye.
    “But?”
    “Hmmm?”
    “I hear a but. A reservation?”
    Alyx glanced at Nicks. She looked like she thought she had said
too much already. I glared at the Dead Man.
    Bingo!
She is concerned about Miss Nicholas’ feelings,
Garrett.
    “Huh? Why?” I blurted.
    The Dead Man seemed amused. He is whenever I stick my foot into
my mouth, though I hadn’t gotten a good taste of dirty old
leather yet here.
    Miss Weider conceals a considerable affection for her
brother although she does understand why others find him unlikable.
She has an even stronger regard for Miss Nicholas. They have been
friends from childhood. Miss Weider will not knowingly cause her
pain.
    For her part, Miss Nicholas does not care to hear evil of her
fiancé because she plans to accept this marriage despite having no
desire to do so. She will not disappoint the expectations of so
many. She consoles herself with the certain knowledge that Ty
Weider, although no Prince Charming, stands to be one of the
richest men in TunFaire. And the wait may not be protracted if there is
substance to the cluster of fears infesting Miss Weider’s
head.
    I glanced at Nicks, remembered Ty. Money sure can get the blood
moving, too.
    Tinnie seemed to be getting sour. I was too introspective to
suit her today. That was a problem most days as far as she was
concerned. “All right, Alyx,” I said. “The Call
made a threat. They don’t have a history of that but there is
a first time for every extortionist. What do you want me to do
about it?”
    “I want you to stop them but I don’t think you could
do that by yourself, so I don’t really know.”
    “I can be pretty persuasive.” Usually with Morley
Dotes and Saucerhead Tharpe helping me