Remaindered Read Free

Cotswolds with Myrtle had been cancelled, had to agree that George’s plan was smart.
    â€œIt’s not just smart, it’s genius,” Myrtle said. “We can save the shop and carry on as before.” She leaned back in her chair and caressed the spines of the Encyclopedia Britannica . “The Friends of England can go on indefinitely.”
    â€œFor as long as the funds hold up, at any rate,” George said. “We’ve been sensible up to now. Let’s keep it like that.”
    George had to be respected. His wise, restraining advice had allowed the three of them to enjoy a comfortable retirement that might yet continue. If the truth were told, the Friends of England Society was a mutual benefit club. George and Edward had once been members of Butch Rafferty’s gang and they were still living off the spoils of a security van heist.
    â€œMy dear old Butch would love this plan,” Myrtle said with a faraway look. “I can hear him saying, ‘Simple ain’t always obvious.’”
    â€œIf Butch hadn’t messed up, we wouldn’t be here,” Edward said, still moody. “We’d be back in New York City, living in style.”
    â€œDon’t kid yourself,” Myrtle said. “You’d have gambled away your share inside six months. New York, maybe—but by now you’d be sleeping rough in Central Park. I know you better than you know yourself, Edward.”
    â€œThere are worse places than Central Park,” he said. “I’ve had it up to here with Poketown, Pennsylvania. We should have got outta here years ago.”
    â€œOh, come on.”
    â€œIt’s only because we live in Pennsylvania that my plan will work,” George said.
    Edward’s lip curled. “It had better work.”
    â€œAnd I’m thinking we should bring Tanya in at an early stage,” George said.
    â€œNo way,” Edward said. “What is it with Tanya? You got something going with her?”
    â€œHow ridiculous. You’re the one who can’t keep his eyes off her.”
    Myrtle said, “Leave it, George. Act your age, both of you. I’m with Edward here. Keep it to ourselves.”
    Edward almost purred. “Something else Butch once said: ‘The more snouts in the trough, the less you get.’”
    â€œAs you wish,” George said. “We won’t say anything to Tanya. She’ll get a beautiful surprise.”
    â€œSo how do we divide the work?” Myrtle said.
    â€œUnless you think otherwise, I volunteer to do the paperwork,” George said. “I’m comfortable with the English language.”
    â€œKeep it short and simple. Nothing fancy.”
    â€œIs that agreed, then?”
    Edward agreed with a shrug.
    â€œBut we should all join in,” Myrtle said.“Another thing Butch said, ‘Everyone must get their hands dirty.’”
    â€œSuits me—but what else is there to do?” Edward said.
    â€œI need one of Robert’s credit cards,” George said.
    Edward shook his head. “The hell you do. We’re not going down that route. That’s a sure way to get found out.”
    George took a sharp, impatient breath. “We won’t be using it to buy stuff.”
    â€œSo what do we want it for?” Edward said, and immediately knew the answer. “The signature on the back.”
    â€œRight,” Myrtle said. “Can you take care of that?”
    â€œTricky,” Edward said.
    â€œNot at all. Robert must have used plastic. Everyone does.”
    â€œHow do we get hold of one?”
    â€œHow do you get hold of one,” Myrtle said. “That’s how you get your hands dirty. My guess is they’re still lying around the office somewhere.”
    â€œTanya’s always in there.”
    Myrtle rolled her eyes. “God help us, Edward, if you can’t find a way to do this simple thing you don’t deserve to be one of