Trouble at the Red Pueblo Read Free

“Seven-thirty? That doesn’t give us much time for dinner with Jack.”
    Spider hung up the phone. “What can I say? Today’s my lucky day.”

    Spider and Laurie walked the two blocks to Parry Lodge where a fresh-faced young woman with spiky black hair and dangly earrings met them in the foyer of the restaurant. Carrying a sheaf of menus on her arm, she welcomed them with a smile. “Would you prefer the dining room or the coffee shop?”
    Laurie tucked her hand inside Spider’s arm. “We’re meeting someone here. Jack Houghton?”
    “Oh, yes. Dr. Houghton is in the dining room. I’ll take you right in.” She led them through a wide archway to a pleasant room done in blue and green. Widely-spaced tables with heavy white linen tablecloths, napkins, and fresh flowers gave the room an air of elegance.
    “Laurie!” At a corner table, a tall man, handsome in an angular way and graying at the temples, stood and beckoned.
    “Geez.” Laurie grabbed Spider’s hand and whispered, “Look how thin he is.”
    Spider nodded his thanks to the spiky-haired hostess and allowed himself to be pulled over to Jack Houghton’s table.
    Jack planted one foot forward and held up his right hand, fingers lightly flexed, as he began quoting.
    I saw her comin' from afar,
    That gal with auburn hair,
    And my heart, which had been workin' fine,
    Just stopped and stuck right there.
    She was such a pretty thing,
    It scattered all my wits,
    And I'd a-give my heart to her,
    If it wasn't on the fritz.
    “Hello, Jack.” Laurie kissed his cheek. “You are sweet and funny. Do you remember my husband, Spider?”
    “I remember the face,” Jack said, shaking Spider’s hand, “but I thought his name was Spencer.”
    “Spider’s a nickname.” Laurie took the chair that Jack held for her. “I don’t think many people know what his real name is.”
    Jack sat opposite Laurie and leaned on his elbow, regarding her. “So tell me.”
    Laurie’s answer was interrupted by a young waiter in a white shirt and tie. He introduced himself and asked if they would care to order drinks.
    “We’re in a bit of a time crunch,” Spider said. “We’d like to order now, if that’s all right. What can you recommend that will be fast?”
    Jack held up his hand. “Wait, wait, wait. You can’t eat at Parry Lodge and have a time constraint. Why, look around. Look at the pictures on the walls. Famous people from all over have eaten here. The place is famous for its food and famous for its ambiance.”
    Spider didn’t reply to Jack. He kept his eyes on the server, waiting for an answer to his question. The young man stepped around in back, so he could point out items on Spider’s menu that took less time, and soon he was on his way to the kitchen, having promised expedited service.
    “Famous people,” Spider mused. He looked around at the black and white photos. “John Wayne I recognize, but—” He peered at the names under the pictures on the wall next to his chair. “—Lex Barker? John Agar? If the food is equally famous, I hope I’ll recognize the lasagna.”
    Spider felt Laurie kick him in the ankle and obligingly turned the conversation. “I hear you built a new house, Jack.”
    Laurie’s cousin needed no more encouragement and entered into a detailed description of the art of building a straw-bale home. His narrative lasted through the salad and entrée, and he broke into poetry only once when he described the building site. He was deep into the stucco finish when Laurie looked at her watch.
    “We’ve got an appointment at seven-thirty,” she said, putting her napkin by her plate.
    Spider stood and helped with her chair. “Thanks for inviting us to dinner, Jack. Sorry we have to run.”
    Jack stood as well. He kissed Laurie on the cheek. “I’ve got some braces I’ve got to see to tomorrow, but the day after that I’m free. We can spend it together. Remember that ride we used to take out to Inchworm?”
    Laurie smiled. “Yes. I’d