The Perdition Score. Richard Kadrey

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      I head to Julie’s office. The moment I’m gone they’re digging into their food, Candy talking excitedly through a full mouth. Alessa laughs at her and hums a staccato surf melody.

      I knock on Julie’s door. She looks up and nods. I go in.

      “How’s it going?”

      Julie shakes her head.

      “I’m glad I got myself a door. The Bobbsey Twins out there have been yammering for an hour.”

      “Chihiro gets a little nuts when the subject of music comes up.”

      “‘Nuts’ is the nice word for it. What are you up to these days? If this is a social call, I have a lot of work I have to do.”

      I take Abbot’s folder out of my pocket and drop it on her desk.

      “Be happier to see me. I’m bringing you business.”

      She opens the folder and picks up the photo.

      “Is he missing?”

      “That’s what Abbot said.”

      “Abbot? Thomas Abbot?”

      I look at her.

      “Happy to see me now?”

      “Happier. Do you have any background information on the kid?”

      “There’s some stuff on the back of the photo. His name is Nick, Abbot says. It might be a parent abduction, but I don’t know.”

      Julie turns the photo over and scans the information.

      “You don’t think he’s telling the truth?”

      “I don’t know that either. I just know that he went out of his way not to say what his relationship was with the kid or his parents. He just kept saying ‘my friend’ wants me to get you to look into it.”

      She turns the photo over and looks at Nick’s face.

      “Normally I’d be reluctant to go with a case with so little information and a cagey client, but—”

      “Yeah. It’s the augur asking. He’s got money and he’s got pull. It seems like one to take.”

      “And so we will. Thanks, Stark.”

      I always feel funny when Julie thanks me. She’s the friend who helped keep Candy out of that Lurker relocation camp so she could become Chihiro. Then she gave her a job. We’re both a long way from paying her back for that. Any case I can throw at her, I will.

      From the other room we can hear Candy and Alessa laughing. Julie holds a hand off in their direction

      “Can you have a word with her? I mean, this is supposed to be a place of business.”

      “Looks like she’s on her lunch hour to me.”

      “Lunch hour and then some.”

      “Look, you made it clear you didn’t want me involved with the agency. I’m not about to go out there and scold Chihiro for a noodle break.”

      “Point taken. Just do me a favor and look at your watch on the way out. Maybe she’ll take the hint.”

      “I don’t wear a watch.”

      “Right. Well, pretend. Stare at your wrist for two seconds.”

      I get up.

      “I’ll wrestle them to the ground and give them detention.”

      Julie gives me a curdled smile.

      “Late at night, if you ever wonder why you don’t work here anymore, remember this moment.”

      I open the office door.

      “I’ll tell Abbot you’re on the case when I see him Monday.”

      “Tell him to call me. It would be nice to discuss a fee.”

      “I’ll give him your number.”

      “Good night, Stark.”

      “Good night.”

      I walk over to Candy’s desk and make a big show of looking at my wrist.

      “What are you doing?” says Candy.

      “Looking at my watch.”

      “You don’t have a watch. You barely have socks.”

      “I’m supposed to be hinting about the time. Julie’s request.”

      “Oh.”

      Candy glances at Julie’s office.

      “I guess I lost track of time.”

      “It’s cool,” says Alessa. “I don’t want to get you in trouble with your boss.”

      She gets up. Candy comes from around the desk and gives her a hug.

      “Call me tomorrow?”

      “Yeah. Let’s figure out a time to get the whole band together.”

      “Great.”

      Alessa tosses her noodles into the trash and heads for the stairs.

      “See you around, Stark.”

      I give her a wave.

      “You too.”

      Candy comes over and kisses me hard.

      “Isn’t this the best thing ever? We might be an actual band with an actual guitarist.”

      “You’re a guitarist.”

      “I’m a guitar player. I know three chords. Alessa is a guitarist. Big difference.”

      “Well, I hope it all works out and you get to work together.”

      “Me too.”

      “You need a ride home?”

      She shakes her head.

      “I have tons of reports and paperwork to do. I’ll be here late.”

      “Okay. I might stop by Bamboo House myself. I’ll see you at home.”

      She sits down at her desk.

      “Tell Carlos hi for me.”

      “I will.”

      I start for the stairs СКАЧАТЬ