Faded Steel Heat Read Free Page B

didn’t hear me. She was too busy talking. “I guess if there’s anything I really need it’s for you to watch out for Dad. He was pretty blunt in public when he heard about the demands. Somebody might want to make him an example.”
    Exactly.
    Tinnie said, “The men who came to our compound did claim to be from The Call.” The Tate clan manufactures footwear. They got rich making combat boots during the war. “But I don’t think they really were. They were too nervous.”
    The Dead Man sent, I have compared the recollections of Miss Weider and Miss Tate and must submit the possibility that we have afoot several bold operators moving in where they believe they can score quickly by exploiting fear and hatred.
    There’s nothing so holy some scroat won’t try to turn a few marks on it. “Somebody’s trying to scam the rich? They’ll have to stay way ahead of Marengo North English, then.”
    And I kept right on having trouble getting my mind around the notion that a honey like Nicks would even talk to Ty Weider. Maybe I’d just always caught Ty at bad times. Maybe he wasn’t as hopeless as I thought.
     
     

5
    “Have you done anything?” I asked Alyx. “Besides coming back here till you caught up with me? Did you talk it over with your dad? Or Ty? Or Manvil? Have they done anything?”
    “I didn’t discuss it with them. Daddy would say it wasn’t proper for a lady to take an interest. But if I went to anybody, he’d want me to go to you. Ty, though, will get mad when he finds out. He doesn’t want outsiders around. He’s argued with Dad about you.”
    Big surprise. But Ty’s likes and dislikes never were high on my list of concerns. “Think he’d cut off my supply of dark?”
    Nobody got it. Not even the Dead Man, apparently. So much for a new career in comedy.
    Ladies, you must excuse Garrett. The presence of so much loveliness in such tight quarters has disoriented him completely.
    Sarky bastard.
    Nicks jumped at the Dead Man’s first touch but settled down quickly. She had been forewarned.
    Tinnie and Alyx showed the nonchalance of old hands.
    His Nibs continued, And I cannot say I blame him this once. I am overwhelmed myself. And I was dead ages before any of you were born.
    What a sweet-talker. “Thank you, Old Bones. Maybe if I shut my eyes and pretend I’m not a robust, hearty, virile young man whose special lady has shunned him mercilessly...”
    You might consider supplying shovels, high-top boots, and nose plugs, Garrett.
    “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth. My eyes are sealed. My breathing is almost normal.”
    Nicks asked, “Is he always like this, Tinnie?”
    “He’s pretty tame right now. Wait till he wakes up.”
    “Not a tooth, teeth,” I grumbled. “Alyx. Did your dad take this seriously?”
    “He’s worried. He’s been asking our employees what they think about The Call. He’s decided we won’t hire anybody but veterans.”
    He never had. But that wouldn’t satisfy The Call. Although most human males are veterans not all veterans are human. And Weider never made a distinction. He wouldn’t now. He protects his employees like a she-wolf protects her young. Most give him complete loyalty in return. Me, I even drink his beer.
    But there are always a rotten few who slip through any screen, or who are brought in by a big wormy apple already loafing in the barrel.
    The ladies babbled on but I got nothing out of them. I turned to the Dead Man. He sent: They are frightened. Time is passing. Nothing has been done to disarm or appease The Call. Apparently there is a deadline unknown even to Miss Alyx.
    Miss Alyx now, huh? I watched the Goddamn Parrot nibble out of Nicks’ fingers. “You want that critter, Nicks? Take him. Call him my wedding present.”
    Alyx broke into laughter.
    So maybe I’m not a complete bust as a comic. But it would help to know why they laugh.
    “Sorry,” Alyx said. “But I had this picture of Mr. Big kibbitzing Ty and Nicks on their wedding