Agent Ren Bryce Thriller Series Books 1-3: Blood Runs Cold, Time of Death, Blood Loss. Alex Barclay

Чтение книги онлайн.

       Chapter 45

      It was getting dark when Ren got back to the inn. She went in through the front door. A woman wrapped in a towel walked down the hallway toward her. Her husband stood back holding the door to the hot tub open for Ren. She thanked him and went through. A young college guy was sitting in the tub singing opera.

      ‘Wow,’ said Ren.

      ‘In a good way?’ he said.

      ‘How can someone be that tuneless?’ she said, smiling as she walked up the wooden stairs.

      ‘Is that your room up there?’

      She nodded. ‘Yup.’

      ‘On your own?’

      She stopped walking.

      ‘Oh God, I didn’t mean it like that,’ he said. ‘Just – you must be rich. Having a suite.’

      Ren laughed out loud. ‘Um, no. Definitely not.’

      ‘You must think I’m a freak now.’

      ‘No, I don’t. You have a nice night.’

      ‘I will. And sorry again. Don’t worry – I’m not going to, like, come up and, like, stalk you or anything.’

      She leaned over the railing to him, ‘Dude? I’d like to see you fucking try.’ She winked.

      When she got inside, her smile quickly faded. She walked around, closing all the blinds, switching on lamps, lighting candles. She took a deep breath and called Paul Louderback.

      ‘Paul? Hi, it’s me. Can you talk?’

      ‘Sure. Go ahead.’

      ‘What is this about me being TDY’ed to Glenwood?’

      He paused. ‘Yes. I spoke about it with Gary.’

      ‘What?’ said Ren. ‘You had something to do with this?’

      ‘We discussed it, yes. I did what I could to get you on the case. And he told me you took care of getting yourself off it.’

      ‘He said that?’

      ‘Yes, so … it means I had my chance to assign you to a case I wanted you to head up. But he can override that if it … hasn’t worked out.’

      ‘Oh,’ said Ren. ‘And you think it hasn’t worked out.’

      ‘No. But I feel that, assigned to Glenwood Springs, you will never be far from the investigation.’

      ‘But not heading it up. How is that going to look?’

      ‘To who?’

      ‘To whoever.’ She let out a breath. ‘I don’t know. It’s just … I’m sensing somebody out there is pulling strings and I’m the little dancing puppet.’

      Paul laughed. ‘You? I don’t think so. Anyway, if you were a puppet, you’d have scissors stashed in your jeans. No, actually – you’d be Animal. The one on the drums.’

      ‘Hmm, which would I prefer – strings or a hand up my butt?’

      Paul laughed.

      ‘But if we were going Sesame Street,’ said Ren, ‘wouldn’t I be Oscar? The one in the trash can.’

      ‘Aw.’ He laughed.

      ‘This is actually not funny,’ said Ren. ‘I can’t do this. I can’t go to Glenwood.’

      ‘And why do you have to?’

      ‘Well, if you’re not responsible, then I would say … payback.’

      ‘For what?’ said Paul.

      Ren paused. ‘Shenanigans.’

      ‘Riiight. I won’t ask. But … what did you do?’

      ‘Behavior unbecoming of an agent. How about that?’

      ‘OK. But … I will find out.’

      ‘No. You won’t.’

      ‘Just for shits and giggles.’

      ‘Jesus, this really is not funny.’

      ‘I’m sorry. But that T in TDY does stand for temporary. And, well, someone had to fill in for Jean.’

      ‘Yeah, maybe someone a little more Glenwood-friendly. And Tiny Gressett-friendly. And Todd, for that matter. They hate me.’

      ‘Poor baby.’

      ‘Shut up.’ She shouted.

      ‘Relax.’

      ‘Don’t tell me to fucking relax. I’m trying to go along with your lighthearted bullshit because I… like you, but I’m totally freaking out here and you’re just messing with me.’

      ‘I am taking you seriously, but –’

      ‘It’s my career, OK? You’re established, I have to –’

      ‘You’re established too. What are you talking about? You’ve been СКАЧАТЬ